Using digital storytelling with local history: Waglan Island Lighthouse and the Father of the Fishermen in Hong Kong

Abstract

Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections (LHRC) at the Run Run Shaw Library of City University of Hong Kong makes Digital Humanities a participatory force within the local Hong Kong community. First lit in 1893, the Waglan Island Lighthouse is one of 34 lighthouses built along the coast of China by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service. In the 1950s, Charles Thirlwell uplifted the social status of once ostracized local fishermen community through international dragon boat races. Guided by the Association of College & Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, students from different cultures, skills and fields of interest contributed by conducting focused research on lighthouse heritage, creating digital story-telling outputs and developing documentaries. Their research outputs are being archived and can be used in future exhibitions to serve as teaching and learning materials for the local communities and future generations. LHRC was designed to mimic a research cycle from content creation to publications, so that students are more incentivized to contribute and as such reinforces their sense of belonging to Hong Kong. Keywords: information literacy, student learning engagement, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections, digital story-telling