The ability to understand an accurate depiction of ones history has a great impact on ones worldviews and self-identity. In America, it is a rarity to learn in depth historical narratives about people of color in primary- intermediate academic settings. It is also interesting to note, that courses which inclusively and critically analyze the ancestry and influence of peoples of color, in even higher academic realms, is rare and underrated. However, by introducing and further enforcing these histories through new technological means, the contributions of African civilizations will be better understood and appreciated.
There are currently two different types of web-based history learning applications. One is Q&A, quiz formatted, Flash based web applications. Andrew J. Field, 
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/games/, created a wonderful example of this. On this site, Field has rendered a series of Flash based games to teach different aspects of history. The games are engaging, well suited for all ages, and accessible. The other history game type is formatted like the Choose Your Own Adventure books, where users through first person narratives, reenact history from the perspective of one key player within that era. National Geographic created an interesting version of this at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/j1.html. On this site the historical focus is more specific, noting just information associated with the Underground Railroad. Within my interface I will utilize various artistic mediums and softwares. The goal of the interface design is to be as informative as it is beautiful, blending fine art works with photography and complimentary audio. A model of this type of work can be seen in Dissolving, created by Dr. John Sturgeon, Chair & Professor of Art at The University of Baltimore County. Dissolving, a brilliant interactive CD-ROM acts as a historical narrative art piece. Dissolving was created due to the destruction of Sturgeons’ entire family photographic archive by Hurricane Opal. The interface includes a series of large image maps, each with hidden interactive elements. As the user scrolls across the image map, the hidden interactive elements are highlighted. When those elements are clicked, they display different images and objects associated with the Sturgeon Family, and act as a narrative of their history. The piece is intriguing, personal, and successful in its attempt to relay information through nontraditional means.
Though viewing and analyzing these applications enabled me to have a clearer vision of the mediums I can use to render my piece, I still have many questions. All of the history applications currently posted online are dependent on language to inform the user. My application will be nonlanguage dependent, and as such, I need to engage in more research to determine the success of my application as a teaching tool. Moreover, though the aesthetics of the design, and the way the user will interact within the design have been determined, the means by which the interface will be designed is still undetermined. It will also be difficult to create an intricate and interesting design, that captures all of the varying histories of the African Diaspora. Attempting to compress centuries of information will indeed be challenging. A great deal of my undergraduate work dealt with the study of ancient African civilizations, as well as the African experience in America. Despite my extensive knowledge, I will also consult other scholars and their writings to ensure that all information is historically and chronologically accurate. Bibliography
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