My learning experience from a glance
Reflecting on my experience in the Digital Humanities course this semester, I recognize it as a profound departure from the science-based classes I am accustomed to. This course, conducted entirely online, introduced me to a new realm of learning where the tools and themes of digital humanities could be explored independently and in depth.
Engaging with the course’s evaluation components, I appreciated how we utilized digital tools like Hypothes.io. This platform complemented our course goals well, enabling us to annotate and interact with our readings digitally. This method of learning—less formal and more interpretive than traditional methods—allowed for a casual, yet insightful engagement with the material. It was refreshing to not rely solely on peer-reviewed journals to substantiate our discussions, a significant shift from my previous academic experiences.
The assignments were quite unique, providing practical applications of digital humanities tools. For instance, creating an Omeka exhibit to showcase personal cooking skills or integrating various media into final projects like StoryMaps enriched our learning experience. However, I believe this experience could have been enhanced by the addition of pre-recorded instructional videos from our instructor. Such resources would have offered a more hands-on approach to learning the tools necessary for our projects, facilitating a smoother integration of platforms like WordPress without the initial technical struggles.
Throughout this course, I was especially proud of how I applied my technical skills to develop a comprehensive WordPress site. Integrating multiple forms of media, from text to video, I crafted a final project that not only demonstrated my ability to utilize digital platforms effectively but also highlighted my creative and analytical skills. Although there were challenges, particularly in mastering the integration of digital humanities tools with WordPress at the start of the semester, these obstacles were eventually overcome through perseverance and exploration.
One of the most impactful aspects of the course was the module on artificial intelligence, which provided profound insights into recognizing biases and the practical applications of OCR software. These lessons helped me appreciate the capabilities and limitations of current technologies, enhancing my understanding of both the subject matter and the broader implications of digital tools in humanities.
Feedback on course improvements and expectations
For course feedback, I would like to suggest several areas for improvement, particularly concerning the clarity of final project expectations and the provision of examples from previous works completed by the instructor or other students. While the final project was designed with good intentions, allowing us to explore topics of personal interest within the established course themes and goals, the actual expectations for the final product were somewhat confusing.
Firstly, although we were encouraged to make specific inquiries using digital humanities tools, the exact nature of these inquiries was not clearly defined. It appeared we had freedom to choose our interpretations, but ultimately, there seemed to be more specific requirements that were not explicitly stated at the project’s outset. This ambiguity made it challenging to envision what the final product should look like, and more concrete examples or clearer guidelines would have been beneficial.
Moreover, given that this course was conducted online with a “hands-off” approach, providing visual examples of successful projects could have significantly enhanced our understanding and execution of the assignments. Additionally, I feel the course did not adequately accommodate different learning styles and processes. The focus on personal interpretations was appreciated, as it allowed for creativity and personal engagement with the content. However, this approach could have been balanced with more structured guidance to ensure all students understood how to meet the project’s requirements effectively.
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