The digital path of history education of the New Technology Division at the Institute of National Remembrance

The New Technology Division (Polish abbrev. BNT) was established by the President of the Institute of National Remembrance (Polish abbrev. IPN), PhD Karol Nawrocki, in September 2021. It creates and develops projects on history primarily intended to interest the young generation. The message is to be digitally attractive as it is based on the latest information technologies and is accessible to all Internet users on computers, tablets, smartphones and VR goggles.

Strategic objectives of the New Technology Division

At a press conference held on 13 September 2021 at the Janusz Kurtyka Educational Centre of the Institute of National Remembrance in Warsaw, the Director of the New Technology Division, Magdalena Hajduk, talked about the most fundamental objectives and strategy of the newly established unit. Its main goal is to carry out a digital transformation of the scientific, educational and publishing offer of the Institute of National Remembrance. The New Technology Division cooperates with the IT Office, the Office of National Education, the Historical Research Office, the IPN Publishing House and the History Stations Office. Educational content provided by the BNT is accessible using virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.

New technologies are a sign of our times

“History must read the signs of the times. Signs of the times are new technologies, which prompt us to seek new paths to reach the younger generation with the historic message,” said President Karol Nawrocki regarding the decision to establish the New Technology Division.

He emphasised that he was convinced by the growing popularity of modern technologies in educational processes. He reminded that about three billion people worldwide, of which several million in Poland, play computer games, and it is games that can become a good tool for educational communication.

Innovative history lessons

The projects implemented by the New Technology Division are not only meant to arouse interest in history among children and young people but also provide support for teachers. The plans include innovative history lessons using virtual reality, half-day history camps encouraging the learning of history through art, multimedia educational projects and theatre education. There are also plans to involve students from technical universities in jointly developed projects.