Knowledge about local history is important for several reasons and it provides a deeper understanding of the society, culture and identity og a local community. Knowledge about the place, village or town where you live is important for both cohesion, understanding of culture and people.

Knowledge about the city, town, area or village where you live is important for several reasons:

Identity and community

Local history provides insight into the roots of society and its development over time. It helps residents understand their own identity and belonging to a local community. Being familiar with one's local cultural heritage can help create positive cohesion among residents.

By knowing local history, one can help preserve and protect important cultural monuments, buildings, traditions and works of art that are part of the local community's heritage.

Local history can inspire civic engagement by showing how individuals and groups have influenced society throughout history. This can motivate people to participate actively in their local community.

Understanding changes in the local community

By looking at how the local community has changed over time, one can better understand the reasons behind these changes. These can be economic, social, political or technological changes.

Local history can include the divrsity of stories from from different social groups, including minorities and marginalized groups. This contributes to a more complete and equitable understanding of the past.

Studying local history also provides opportunities to learn from past mistakes and successes. This valuable insight can be useful for decision-makers and community planners.

Telling the Diversity of Stories

Overall, knowledge of local history provides a valuable perspective on the development of society and a grounding in one's own cultural heritage. It can also provide better cohesion and help build bridges between generations and create an awareness of how the past shapes our present reality.

Digital Cultural Heritage with Wittario

However, to pass on knowledge to younger generations, new tools are needed. With our platform you will find solutions that enable you to create games for children and young people, among others, and that make it fun to learn about the history and culture of where you live.

You can choose between different games. Some are suitable indoors, others are designed for outdoor use, and the last type of game can be played both indoors and outdoors.

Several people have used our games to create a digital communication of local history and cultural heritage. Here are 4 examples:

1. Local History Walking Game at Knapstad

The historical walking game at Knapstad was initiated by Hobøl Historielag in Indre Østfold municipality. The digital trail contains 14 posts and the game is intended for schoolchildren, but also other history enthusiasts in the area. There is a lot of exciting learning along the new cultural trail with the dissemination of Knapstad's thousand-year history via the posts.

Using the Wittario app, QR codes, pictures and quiz tests at each post, participants walk around and learn history along the way. Each post is marked with a specially made sign with a QR code for further information.

2. Digital Game with Historical Curch Path at Hvaler

Hvaler cultural association has created a historical church path game on Kirkly in Hvaler. Among the first to try the digital game were students from the local primary and secondary school. Along the way, there are posts and tasks where you can be active while learning a lot about Hvaler's local history and the long church road that many had to take.

3. Hiking Game Engages Students at Malakoff High School

Moss' history team has chosen to use Wittario as a tool to create learning experiences based on local historical themes. They have seen the success of engaging young people through digital outdoor games. Some who have benefited from the walking game are students at Malakoff High School in Moss.

Students can take the "Old King's Road" into Moss. This unique route game takes participants through nature, history, industry and important cultural monuments.

4. The History of Enebakkdalen- a Local History Game

"History gives belonging" is the motto of the Enebakk History Club. And together with Wittario, they have created what they consider a historical pole hunt. Using posters with QR codes, both young and adults can walk through the history of Enebakk, with surprising and exciting knowledge.

Perfect digital history learning for students

More high schools are now seeing the potential of integrating digital game-based learning to engage students in a new way. From being consumers of information, students are now given the opportunity to produce learning content, which provides in-depth understanding.

Wittario manager is the platform that makes it easy for students to create their own local games. Already produced content can be easily integrated into route games, distance games or QR code games, and they can be shared for free with everyone in the Wittario app. This technology has also opened up fruitful collaboration between local history clubs and high schools, creating new opportunities for engaging and effective learning. Wittario is proud to be a contributor to a new form of learning that brings joy to both young and old people.