Abstract

History is a subject that connects individuals and societies to the past. However historical scholarship in the university setting is much more complicated than merely grasping a hotchpotch of data that relates to an assortment of civilizations and bygone eras. Advanced historical study is, for instance, grounded in the process of constant interaction between the learner and factual analysis, the collecting of evidence to generate original conclusions about life in the past, and the employment of legible language so as to articulate one’s deductions.

With reference to capstone course HIST4801/2, the TDLEG proposal seeks to develop an online platform that supports and enhances the Graduation Thesis learning experience.

Designed to stimulate deep learning and critical reflection, the platform will offer short instructional videos, interactive activities, an online reflective practice portfolio, and discussion forums. As such the project is formed with the intention of, firstly, helping eliminate obstacles currently hindering students to successfully complete their independent research investigations, secondly, granting a new conduit for teacher-student communication and thus improved teacher-learner pedagogical interaction, and, thirdly, the enlarging of existing understanding amongst students as to what ‘good historical research’ constitutes.