Short answer
When designing digital platforms for cultural knowledge, especially for Indigenous communities, consider them as 'digital bundles' that require careful attention to cultural protocols, responsibilities, and the fostering of community connections.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- TSpace (2016)
- Method
- Qualitative research, User interviews
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Online platforms can act as 'digital bundles,' mediating Indigenous knowledge and fostering cultural resurgence and nation-building efforts by creating new social relationships and forms of cultural expression. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2016 study published in TSpace. Using Qualitative research, user interviews, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing digital platforms for cultural knowledge, especially for Indigenous communities, consider them as 'digital bundles' that require careful attention to cultural protocols, responsibilities, and the fostering of community connections.
Digital Bundles: Indigenous Knowledge Platforms Foster Cultural Resurgence and Nation Building
Online platforms can act as 'digital bundles,' mediating Indigenous knowledge and fostering cultural resurgence and nation-building efforts by creating new social relationships and forms of cultural expression.
TSpace · 2016
Key Findings
- 01Online Indigenous knowledge projects can be understood as 'digital bundles,' reflecting cultural protocols and responsibilities.
- 02These digital platforms can significantly contribute to Indigenous resurgence and nation-building efforts by fostering new social relationships and forms of knowledge mediation.
- 03The Internet and digital technology offer a new capacity for Indigenous communities to express and share their knowledge.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing digital platforms for cultural knowledge, especially for Indigenous communities, consider them as 'digital bundles' that require careful attention to cultural protocols, responsibilities, and the fostering of community connections.
How to apply
When developing digital resources for cultural or community-based knowledge, engage with community members to understand their protocols and desired outcomes, and design the platform to facilitate connection and knowledge sharing in a culturally appropriate manner.
Project actions
- 01When researching Indigenous knowledge, be mindful of cultural protocols and seek permission.
- 02Consider how your design can foster community and connection, not just information sharing.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on the unique cultural context and goals of Indigenous communities.
- +Introduces a novel conceptual framework ('digital bundles') for understanding online cultural resources.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the context of Indigenous knowledge and may not directly apply to all cultural knowledge platforms.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study relies on user interpretation and experience, which can be subjective. Validity is enhanced through in-depth interviews and the author's insider perspective.
Think critically
How might the concept of 'digital bundles' be adapted or challenged when applied to non-Indigenous cultural knowledge or other forms of digital community building?
Design Principles
"Digital cultural platforms should be designed with an awareness of their role in mediating knowledge, fostering social relationships, and supporting community-specific goals, akin to the responsibilities associated with traditional knowledge sharing."
This research highlights the potential of digital technologies to not only preserve but also actively advance Indigenous cultures and communities. Designers and researchers can leverage this understanding to create culturally sensitive and empowering digital experiences that support self-determination and knowledge transmission.
What This Means for Your Design
Websites that share Indigenous knowledge can be thought of like 'digital bundles' that carry important cultural rules and help Indigenous communities grow stronger and more connected.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of 'digital bundles' to frame your research into how digital platforms impact cultural knowledge and community.
- 2.Discuss how your design choices respect or incorporate cultural protocols.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research suggests that digital platforms designed to share Indigenous knowledge can be conceptualized as 'digital bundles.' This framing highlights the cultural protocols and responsibilities associated with such projects, positioning them as tools for Indigenous resurgence and nation-building by mediating knowledge and fostering new social relationships.
Source
TSpace
A Digital Bundle: Exploring the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Online Through FourDirectionsTeachings.com
journal · 2016
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about digital bundles: indigenous knowledge platforms foster cultural resurgence and nation building?
- When designing digital platforms for cultural knowledge, especially for Indigenous communities, consider them as 'digital bundles' that require careful attention to cultural protocols, responsibilities, and the fostering of community connections. Evidence: TSpace (2016).
- Why does "Digital Bundles: Indigenous Knowledge Platforms Foster Cultural Resurgence and Nation Building" matter for design?
- This research highlights the potential of digital technologies to not only preserve but also actively advance Indigenous cultures and communities. Designers and researchers can leverage this understanding to create culturally sensitive and empowering digital experiences that support self-determination and knowledge transmission.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing digital platforms for cultural knowledge, especially for Indigenous communities, consider them as 'digital bundles' that require careful attention to cultural protocols, responsibilities, and the fostering of community connections.
- What were the main findings?
- Online Indigenous knowledge projects can be understood as 'digital bundles,' reflecting cultural protocols and responsibilities.. These digital platforms can significantly contribute to Indigenous resurgence and nation-building efforts by fostering new social relationships and forms of knowledge mediation.. The Internet and digital technology offer a new capacity for Indigenous communities to express and share their knowledge.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research, User interviews.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2016 journal from TSpace.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing digital resources for cultural or community-based knowledge, engage with community members to understand their protocols and desired outcomes, and design the platform to facilitate connection and knowledge sharing in a culturally appropriate manner.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is based on a specific website and user group, and the concept of 'digital bundles' may require further exploration across different Indigenous contexts and digital platforms.