The Virtual History Lab
The Virtual History Laboratory (VH Lab), under the direction of Professor Stéphane Lévesque, is the first research centre in Canada to focus on learning history online. Inaugurated in 2011, the virtual history laboratory offers researchers, students and partners in the field a bilingual research center on the study of user behavior and the cognitive development of Internet users.
The laboratory innovates by carrying out studies on the quality and the modes of virtual learning, the analysis of the needs of the learners in virtual environment as well as the models and the frameworks allowing to improve the design, the presentation and the website evaluation, simulations and tutorials in history.
In collaboration with the educational research unit “Making History / Faire histoire” at the University of Ottawa, the Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française and Canadian museums, the laboratory uses cutting-edge technologies to study user behavior, promote computer-assisted learning, develop new assessment tools and enhance the historical learning experience in virtual mode.
Innovative research approaches, such as eye-tracking analysis and post-action think aloud, are used to examine the methods and quality of virtual learning, to better understand the needs of online learners and to develop the models and contexts that help improve the design, presentation and evaluation of Web sites, online exhibits, simulations and learning materials in history.
Concordia Digital History Lab
Projects at the Concordia Digital History Lab use new media to share the task of historical research and interpretation with online audiences worldwide—scholars, students, and the general public.
The lab is part of the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling, Concordia University, Montreal.