Original proposed project timeline
For this project, I will need to survey the digital applications already available (and there are literally hundreds), to identify the specific historical materials that I will use, and then to fit the two together into my history courses. To that end, much of my project work will involve research and collaboration with experts in different technology fields.
Summer 2012
I have always believed that creativity and ideas derive from a community of minds. This approach has served me well with previous grant projects, and in this case I will gather a team of experts to think over the appropriate technology approaches that I might be able to investigate and apply. This team will consist of:
- Julia Turner, head of the communication design program at the Loudoun campus of NVCC, an expert in Adobe software and a designer of I-phone apps
- Robert Brown, graphic and digital video designer at the Web Services and Digital Media team of Northern Virginia Community College
- Andrea Odiorne, database designer and Omeka expert from the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University and an adjunct instructor of history at Northern Virginia Community College
- Michael Krimmer, head of the GIS program at the Loudoun campus of Northern Virginia Community College
While I have long experience as an instructor of history both on campus and online, and while I have directed technology grants in the past, these people will help me make sense of the numerous web 2.0 and 3.0 tools that are now available and select those which best fit my project.
Fall 2012
work on the historical memory collection (Omeka database tool); determine how students will work with Northern Virginia historical materials (possible Omeka database); assistance of Ms. Amy Bertsch to evaluate sources for materials to be digitized.
Spring 2013
explore data visualization options; GIS and topic modeling; disseminate results to date as possible.
Summer 2013
develop course syllabus and materials.
Fall 2013
deploy the revised history course, including my online course; students actually begin to work on digitizing materials.
Spring 2014
reconvene my initial team for assessment and evaluation of results; suggestions for further course revisions; continue to disseminate results.