MOSAICA: A web-2.0 based system for the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage

The question of how to present cultural heritage resources in a way that attracts potential users is becoming important in our ever-changing world. This paper describes MOSAICA system - a web 2.0-based tool-box, dedicated for the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage. This paper also describes an evaluation study that examined MOSAICA system's usability and social impact. Online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were administered among users from Israel, France, and Poland. Findings indicated positive views related to MOSAICA's usage in terms of knowledge gain, ease of use, and attractiveness. Findings also indicated that learning about the stories, customs, and traditions of diverse cultures, via hypertext narratives, may enhance positive dispositions toward open-mindedness, in general, and non-judgmental views, in specific. MOSAICA system provides a generic framework for users, of any culture and religion, to actively engage in preserving their heritage via activities such as investigation, exploration, and storytelling. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.