The Future of Education

Digital archives offer groundbreaking opportunities to transform teaching and learning in the digital age (Kim, 2018) by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and learner autonomy through innovative, person-centered pedagogies. This paper examines the potential of inquiry-based learning both in and beyond classrooms (Carmichael, 2011), drawing from the author’s experience with developing ten open-access teaching modules centered on the Cavafy Archive, now digitally accessible via the Onassis Foundation. These modules promote active engagement with archival materials, encouraging learners to explore primary sources, ask questions, and collaboratively construct knowledge in ways that empower them to take ownership of their educational experiences (Gangnes, 2018). By integrating digital archives into diverse learning contexts, this approach enhances not only content comprehension but also transferable skills such as digital literacy, analytical thinking, and creative problem-solving. The paper emphasizes the value of democratizing access to cultural heritage through digital technologies and highlights strategies for creating pedagogical tools that address varied learner needs while fostering connections between classroom activities and real-world contexts, as in the example of C.P. Cavafy’s life and work (Manola, 2023). Ultimately, this paper positions digital archives as a catalyst for innovation in education, providing educators and researchers with cutting-edge methods to inspire creativity, strengthen autonomy, and prepare learners for the demands of an interconnected and rapidly evolving world.