THE POTENTIAL OF WEB DOCUMENTARY FOR EDUCATION

Throughout its history, documentary film has been used as an effective tool for a multitude of educational purposes. In recent years, the rapid emergence of a new form of documentary – interactive documentary – has determined the importance of researching what possibilities it has to offer to the educational institutions for enhancing learning experience.

Interactive documentaries are made for computerized mediums (Internet, mobile phones, tablets and others), make active use of their capacities, and can be characterized as non-linear, multimedia, interactive, immersive, collaborative and participatory.

The primary focus of the paper is on web documentary, which uses the Web as a platform for producing and distributing content. Being an evolving form that continually expands through the application of innovative technologies, creative experiences and interdisciplinary approaches, web documentary is most intensively used in the field of education.

The paper presents case studies of recent web documentaries with diverse subject matters, which have enormous educational value. The paper also deals with our practices and approaches at St. Petersburg State Institute of Film & Television and St. Petersburg State University of Technology and Design to engage students and produce more meaningful and deep learning experiences by means of web documentaries.