Practical Scalar Guide for the Field of Digital History

Context for Instructors

Because Scalar is an online publishing platform that allows authors to integrate digital media into the work housed within it, students who use Scalar will be able to gain both writing and computer skills while learning the program.  While a conventional history paper might sit in a student's closet for forty years, the work students do on Scalar contributes to the global repository of shared knowledge because it is readily available on the Internet for anyone to see.  In other words, it matters more when people besides professors get to read the final results of student efforts – both to the students, and the people who eventually read it. 

This is particularly important for history classes as there is practically an infinite amount of knowledge available for students to examine and post as part of their Scalar projects.  I have made great use of local archives in my classes, all of whom are grateful to have undergraduates interested in posting their materials on the Internet for them and to not have to pay for hosting themselves in the bargain

There are certainly other tools available for digital projects, but Scalar is simple enough that students can learn its basics over the course of a few weeks and spend the rest of their semesters learning the history they need to complete their projects.

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