DMS 300: Introduction to Digital and Media Studies

Archive

Week 1: Unit 1--Defining Data in the Humanities

Monday 8/23

Introductory Topics

Links

Advance Preparation for Wednesday

  1. Visit the NeMO-Net site and click the download option that is appropriate for you. (If you are using an iPad, select the iOS and Mac option)
  2. Install the software. If you encounter security warnings, it's ok to continue--the software is safe.
  3. Open the program and watch the introductory video.
  4. Complete the tutorial.

Week 1: Unit 1--Definining Data in the Humanities

Wednesday 8/25

Key Terms

artificial intelligence
use of computing technology to perform advanced tasks. This term has been applied to various types of computing capabilities over time--at one time a hand calculator was considered "artificial intelligence." When a computing capability becomes familiar, it generally no longer is considered AI. Today, AI is generally applied to machine learning capabilities.
machine learning
a algorithm designed to gather specific data and identify patterns in the data to solve a specific task. Once the algorithm is activated, it can recursively improve--essentially write more code--meaning that machine learning algorithms can be particularly opaque and difficult to fix if they do not perform as anticipated.
crowd sourcing
pooling information, input, ideas from a broad range of indiviudals to perform a task or solve a problem.
gamification
turning a task into a game so that users are incentivized to participate by the competitive structure; often participation in the game itself is the reward for participation, but sometimes the game can have a financial incentive for the winner.

In-Class Exercise 1: Image as Data

Visual data is increasingly important as it becomes easier and easier to capture and transmit images digitally. The challenge with visual data is that it is difficult for computers to process. Researchers are working on algorithms, many in the category of artificial intelligence or machine learning, that can improve computers' ability to classify visual data. Often, they rely on human-computer hybrid models. In this exercise, we will examine projects that use a hybrid crowdsourcing model and gamification to analyze visual data and train computers to improve their ability to analyze this data.

Part 1. NeMO-Net example

A. Advance Preparation

*Note: Advance preparation required.

  1. Visit the NeMO-Net site and click the download option that is appropriate for you. (If you are using an iPad, select the iOS and Mac option)
  2. Install the software. If you encounter security warnings, it's ok to continue--the software is safe.
  3. Open the program and watch the introductory video.
  4. Complete the tutorial.

B. In-Class

If you used the program on a desktop computer, you can work with a partner in class. Otherwise, each member of the group can work individually on this program.

  1. Launch the program
  2. Classify 1 Coral image. Take note of these things:
  1. What types of visual data is given to the user--that is, what do you learn based on visual information?
  2. What types of visual data are being collected?
  3. How is visual data being collected?

Part 2. Stall Catchers example

For this example, you'll work as a group. Choose 1 person in the group who will sign up for the account. Everyone should contribute to the classification exercise.

  1. Visit the Stall Catchers site.
  2. Click the Join Now button.
  3. Enter a Username and Email: note, you will be sent an activation link, so use a real email.
  4. Complete the registration process: when you check for the activation link, look in your Junk folder if you don't see the message, especially if you used your Lourdes email.
  5. Review the brief tutorial.
  6. Work with your group to complete the 10 practice classifications. Take note of these things:
  1. What types of visual data is given to the user--that is, what do you learn based on visual information?
  2. What types of visual data are being collected?
  3. How is visual data being collected?

Part 2. Analysis

Work with your group to answer the questions below.

  1. Based on your experience in these two examples, define what visual data is.
  2. Why is visual data significant? Explain in terms of the examples we examined.
  3. Why, at least for now, are human-computer hybrid models like these necessary for this type of visual analysis?

Resources

Topic Resources

In the News

Week 2: Unit 1--Defining Data in the Humanities

Monday 8/30

Reference Reading:

Companion to Digital Humanities (CDH) 1.1: History of Humanities Computing

Reading (available in Canvas)

Key Terms

visual data [from last week]
information based on image, video, or other type of visualization. Specific visual characteristics based on defined criteria can be identified and classified. In order for visual data to be used in digital format, humans may be needed to help identify and translate visual information into a format that is useful in a database or algorithm.
humanities computing:
applications of computing to research and teaching within humanities fields (adapted from CDH Ch 1)
authorship study:
using computer statistical analysis of digitized works to determine an author's "fingerprint" and determine whether unidentified texts can be ascribed to a specific author. For example Shakespeare and Double Falsehood.
batch processing:
computer processing mode (more common in the early days of computing) where an entire process needed to be carried out before any results were reported. Any faults or errors in the batch would result in the entire batch needing to be re-run from the beginning.
serial data access:
storing data in a format (such as magnetic tape) where it can be access only in a linear fashion, where the tape must be read from the beginning to the point where desired data is stored each time the data is accessed.
random data access:
storing data in a format (such as a computer disk) where any unit of data can be accessed in any order, based on a data identification system that can be read by the computer.
Unicode:
one of the first systems (developed 1988-91) for numerically encoding any typeset character in a standardized system. Systems like Unicode allow the precise representation of typeset characters, including diacritical marks and non-Roman characters.
relational database:
collection of items organized as a set of tables that have described relationships. Data can be accessed or reassembled in many different ways based on this relationships without having to re-describe the data within the tables themselves.
archive:
in the context of a digital collection, an archive is a collection of materials where the user chooses the navigation route (adapted from CDH Ch. 1)
edition:
in the context of a digital collection, an edition is a collection of materials that includes additional scholarly context and interpretation of an editor or editors, and where a navigation route is recommended or enforced structurally.
semantic markup:
markup language that can account for the function of marked text rather than just the form. SGML and its most famous application, TEI are semantic markukp languages. The most recent version of HTML, HTML5, has moved towards semantic tagging, for example, replacing <i> (italic) with multiple tags that differentiate function--<em>: emphasis and <cite>: citation.

Topics--History of Humanities Computing

Discussion -- Chronicle articles

Answer the questions below in relation to your assigned article.

  1. What are some of the main criticisms of "digital humanities" that the article is responding to?
  2. What claims in favor of the value of "digital humaities" are made? How are those claims supported?
  3. What is digital humanities, according to this author?
  4. Based on your reading for this week, what do you think digital humanities is?

Week 2: Unit 1--Definining Data in the Humanities

Wednesday 9/1

Key Terms

big data:
extremely large data set that can be analyzed by a computer for patterns. Patterns are then analyzed for meaning.
lexical words:
words in a language that carry conceptual (concrete or abstract) meaning. In English, nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are lexical.
grammatical words:
words in a language that connect and provide context for lexical terms; they are functional words needed to make the language work. In English, prepositions, pronouns, articles, and verb particles are examples of grammatical words.
corpus:
a large collection of words belonging to a specific set. It is important when performing corpus analysis to identify the characteristics of the set.
lemma:
"set of lexical forms having the same stem [. . .] differeing only in inflection and spelling" (Francis and Kucera 1). For example, walk, walked, walking, walks. Conventionally denoted in small caps.

In-Class Exercise 2: Text as Data

Instructions

As discussed in class, text, and the words that make up texts, can be considered data. New computing capabilities have given rise to new methods for analyzing large amounts of text. In this exercise, we will experiment with some of these new computational tools.

Part 1: Big Data

Open the Google Ngram Viewer. Look up the terms for your group as indicated below. Be sure to compare the terms by including them in the same search, separated by a comma. All groups should analyze each of these corpi: English, American English, British English, English Fiction. Be sure to check the "case insensitive" box to yield all results for each term.

Answer the questions below for each corpus you examine. Use the sample spreadsheet in Sakai → Resources → In-Class1

  1. When was T1 in most frequent use? (you can identify a span of years if needed or multiple years if there are multiple peaks.) T2?
  2. List any crossover points.
  3. Describe the change in use in your terms over time, individually, and in relationship to each other.
  4. Why do you think the usage changes in this way? Think about cultural and historical context.

Choose two of your most interesting findings to present to the class.

Part 2: A Special Corpus: Concordances

A concordance is a special type of corpus that focuses on one author, or even more specifically, one work by an author. In this next phase of analysis, you will use a concordance to further analyze your terms as indicated below.

Group A:

Analyze Jane Austen's use of the terms "connexion" and "connection"

  1. Go to the Victorian Literary Studies Archive Hyper-Concordance.
  2. Select Jane Austen from the list of authors.
  3. Search for T1 and T2 (separately) in the entire author corpus (select "All" from the drop down list).
  4. Record the number of instances of each, and scan the lists to develop a sense of the way each of these terms is used.
  5. Describe the connotative meaning of each.
  6. Search for T1 and T2 (separately) in each of Austen's major completed novels:
  1. Sense and Sensibility
  2. Pride and Prejudice
  3. Mansfield Park
  4. Emma
  5. Northanger Abbey
  6. Persuasion
  1. Create a table to record the number of instances of each in each work. Be sure to note the year each work was written. The publication date is noted at the very beginning of each text--or Googlable. (and read the note at the beginning of Northanger Abbey about publication--this text is a little tricky).
  2. Describe any usage patterns in individual novels (e.g., one term used much more frequently in one novel etc.), with relevant support from the texts.
  3. Correlate your findings with your work from Part 1: theorize about the use of this term across Austen's corpus and the use of this term in the culture more generally, supporting your ideas with data from your research:

Group B:

Analyze the use of the term "honour" across Shakespeare's corpus.

  1. Go to the Open Source Shakespeare Concordace.
  2. Enter the term "honour."
  3. Select "Exact Search."
  4. Click the "Search" button and note the total number of hits.
  5. Discuss where you would expect to see the most instances of the term "honour" (comedy, tragedy, history, some combination) and why. Explain:
  6. In order to categorize the plays, we'll use the table of contents of the 1623 First Folio of Shakespeare's works, the first publication of the complete works. This classification is reflected in the template spreadsheet for your data collection. Download the ic2groupb.xlsx spreadsheet from Canvas → Files → ic02.
  7. Fill in the data for each play in each genre table. Observe the calculations.
  8. In each row is the percentage of the total for each type of play. In the last row is the percentage for that genre of the total number of hits. Describe key findings of these results:
  9. Compare this to your guess in 5 above:
  10. Choose the play in each category with the most instances. Scan the individual uses in each of these plays, and describe usage patterns, with relevant support from the texts.
  11. Compare usage patterns across the three genres:

Resources

Topic Resources

In the News

Week 3: Unit 1--Defining Data in the Humanities

Monday 9/6

Labor Day--No Class

To Do for Wednesday:

Week 3: Unit 1--Definining Data in the Humanities

Wednesday 9/8

Reading:

Guest Speaker: John Dewees from TLCPL

Quiz 1

Due: The quiz is open from 5pm Wed 9/1 through 1:30pm Wed 9/8

Instructions:

Access Quiz #1 online through the Quizzes tool in Canvas. This is an untimed quiz. It is recommended that only a wired internet connection or reliable WiFi connection be used.

Quiz #1 covers the "Introduction to Oral History" reading due for 9/8. The quiz includes multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

This quiz is OPEN reading and notes. You may retake the quiz one time if desired. The highest score of the two attempts will be recorded. Note: this quiz is created from a pool of questions, so a second attempt will have a different set of questions than the first.

Homework 1: Data

Due: midnight Wednesday 9/8 in the Assignments tool in Canvas

Format:

Variable, based on experiment performed (see below).

Instructions:

Use the concepts we discussed in In-Class #1 and one or more of the data analysis tools we experimented with in In-Class #2 to perform your own data examination.

  1. Identify the question you are trying to answer:
  2. Describe your method:
  3. Perform your analysis (there may not be anything written for this question).
  4. Document your results:
  5. Interpret your results. List at least one significant finding and explain:

Tools*

*Note: Some of these were used in class, others were mentioned in the reference reading. If there is a different text analysis tool you wish to use for your experiment, check with me for approval.

Evaluation

Your data analysis will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Resources

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

Topic Resources

In the News

Week 4: Unit 1--Defining Data in the Humanities

Monday 9/13

In-Class Exercise 3: Audio as Data--Practicing Oral History

Instructions:

In this exercise, we will practice what we've learned about collecting oral histories by interviewing each other. Follow the steps below to prepare for and then collect an oral history. Record your interview-- save the recording to use for practice transcribing later in the term.

Part 1. Data Collection

  1. Create your intro script. The intro script should include
  2. your name, narrator's name
  3. date, time, recording location
  4. this is a Lourdes University project for the DMS 300 class in Fall 2021
  1. Create an informal outline of topics you would like to cover with your interviewee (you can use the brainstorming from last week to help get you started)
  2. Interview your partner (10-15 minutes). Make a recording using one of the recommended recorders listed below or some other audio recording app that you have.
  3. Take notes about what you hear.
  4. Switch interviewer and interviewee and repeat (10-15 minutes)
  5. Report to the class what you learned

Part 2. Analysis

  1. What were your own strengths and areas to improve as an interviewer:
  2. What were the strengths and areas to improve as an interviewer for your partner:

Part 3. Technology Test

At the end of class/after class, test submitting your audio file to our class drive using the link below. If you have different options for the file type as you transfer it from your phone to the drive, choose .mp3 format. Name your file with the interviewee's last name and the date of the interview in this format: lastname_2021-09-13

Click here to open the shared folder

Ideas for interview outline from 9/8:

Week 4: Unit 1--Definining Data in the Humanities

Wednesday 9/15

Guest Speaker: Amelia Gibbons from Reinvest Toledo

In-Class Exercise 4: Developing an Interview Outline

Instructions:

In this exercise, we will work with Reinvest Toledo to develop an interview outline for the oral histories we will collect. Things to keep in mind:

Resources

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

Topic Resources

In the News

Week 5: Unit 2--Learning and Teaching Technology

Monday 9/20

Topics:

Key Terms

Platform:
An interface with a specific set of tools that can be used to host/display content. Platforms have administrative creation and editing capability for registered users.
Project:
Exhibition of primary literary, historical, artistic, or other material. Projects may focus on providing access (such as scanned versions of out of print text) or facilitate new types of analysis (such as mapping locations of a specific historical event or creating a searchable version of a text).
Tool:
An interface or app that performs a specific function. Tools usually require specific input (image file, comma separated value text, etc.) and produce a result.

In-Class Exercise 5: Classification and Exploration of New Technology

Instructions:

In this exercise, we will start learning about teaching technology by using a genre theory approach to help understand new and unfamiliar technologies. Then, we will experiment with new technologies to understand how they could be usefully applied.

Part 1: Genre Analysis

Visit each of the sites below. Write a brief description of the site and categorize the it as a project, platform, tool, or some combination (which ones?) based on the definitions presented in class. Be prepared to explain why you made the classification you did in each case.

Part 2: Genre Identification

Visit the two sites listed below. What traits to they have in common? How would you describe/name the category they belong to? What are the key traits of this category?

Part 3: Exploration

Once we've classified a technology, we will have a basic expectation of the functionality of that technology and how it might be applied. Sites like those analyzed in Part 2 are actually built around the idea of classification as the starting point for identifying and understanding technology and content.

Now, use that classification starting point to help learn a new technology.

  1. Choose one of the tools or projects from Part 1 to examine in more detail.
  2. Examine the interface and explain how it is organized.
  3. Examine the functionality of the tool/project and explain its capabilities
  4. Prepare a brief demonstration to show the class how this tool/project works

Part 4: Analysis

Reflect on your experience.

  1. Once you classified a tool/project, what assumptions were you able to make about it? How did these assumptions help you understand its functionality?
  2. Explain any difficulties you had in decoding the functionality of a tool/project.
  3. Explain the ways that the tools/projects were easy to use.
  4. How does classification help with learning?

Week 5: Unit 2--Learning and Teaching Technology

Wednesday 9/22

Topics: Theory of Application

Key Terms

learning objective:
statements that define the expected goals of a learning activity. Learning objectives are created by the teacher/trainer, but should be written from the student/learner's perspective (e.g. "by the end of this activity, students should be able to...")
Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning:
hierarchy of different objectives and skills that learners can master.
evaluation:
process for evaluating individual student/learner mastery of a skill/objective with the goal of providing feedback to the learner. Good evaluation also includes comments to help the learner understand deficits and improve.
assessment:
process for evaluating student/learner mastery of a skill with the goal of improving the learning activity.

Special Considerations for Teaching and Learning Technology

In-Class Exercise 6: Reverse Engineering an Exercise

Instructions:

In this exercise we will analyze exercises to help learn how to combine materials and knowledge to create an exercise.

Part 1. Identification and Examination:

Review In-Class Exercise #5, this time evaluating the design of the assignment itself. Answer the following questions:

  1. What materials and tools are needed to complete the exercise?
  2. What types of activity are prompted by the assignment (Bloom's taxonomy for critical thinking)?
  3. Describe the organization/methodology of the assignment.
  4. What types of interaction are required to complete the assignment? (for example, what if this were a fully online assignment--would the written directions be sufficient?)
  5. How is success on this assignment measured?
  6. What objective(s) does this assignment meet?

Part 2. Analysis

Based on your observations and analysis of the 2 examples, answer the questions below.

  1. What is the difference between information and knowledge in these exercises? How does the methodology of the exercise help students create knowledge from information?
  2. How is technology used in these exercises? What do you think about the use of technology in teaching and learning more broadly based on these examples?
  3. How do assignment objectives factor in to the learning process, based on your anlaysis of these examples?

Part 3. Application

Start the preparatory work for Presentation 1, where you will create your own exercise.

  1. Access Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR3)
  2. Examine the categories of tools and choose one to explore further
  3. Look at the possible tools in the set you choose and pick one to examine further. Be sure to choose one that you don't need special credentials to access.
  4. Examine the interface and explain how it is organized.
  5. Examine the functionality of the tool/project and describe its capabilities

You will use this tool next week to work on designing an exercise to teach it (or some specific function of your tool) to the rest of the class.

Resources

Oral History Project Questions

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

Topic Resources

In the News

Week 6: Unit 2--Learning and Teaching Technology

Monday 9/27

In-Class Exercise 7: Designing an Exercise

Instructions:

In this exercise you will prepare for your presentation. See Presenation #1 instructions for more information.

Preparation

Start the preparatory work for Presentation 1, where you will create your own exercise.

  1. Access Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR3)
  2. Examine the categories of tools and choose one to explore further
  3. Look at the possible tools in the set you choose and pick one to examine further. Be sure to choose one that you don't need special credentials to access.
  4. Examine the interface and explain how it is organized.
  5. Examine the functionality of the tool/project and describe its capabilities

Planning

  1. Write objectives for your exercise. You can start with generalized objectives based on the assignment description to start, but as you refine your assignment, return to these objectives and make them more specific.
  2. Describe a methodology you will use to teach this tool.
  3. Explain what information inputs will be needed.
  4. Explain what activities will be peformed and the types of engagement these will foster.
  5. Explain what kind of knowledge will be generated.
  6. Describe how learning can be evaluated in this exercise.
  7. Return to your objectives: will the engagements and knowledge your assignment generates meet your objectives? If so, great. If not, determine whether the objectives need to be adjusted or the assignment needs to be modified and make the necessary changes.

Key Terms

learning objective:
statements that define the expected goals of a learning activity. Learning objectives are created by the teacher/trainer, but should be written from the student/learner's perspective (e.g. "by the end of this activity, students should be able to...")
Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning:
hierarchy of different objectives and skills that learners can master.
evaluation:
process for evaluating individual student/learner mastery of a skill/objective with the goal of providing feedback to the learner. Good evaluation also includes comments to help the learner understand deficits and improve.
assessment:
process for evaluating student/learner mastery of a skill with the goal of improving the learning activity.

Special Considerations for Teaching and Learning Technology

Week 6: Unit 2--Learning and Teaching Technology

Wednesday 9/29

Presentation: Teaching a New Skill

Due: in class 9/29

Format:

multimedia presentation and activity of 20-25 minutes

Instructions:

In this exercise, you will identify a DH tool or project that you can use to help the class meet a learning objective of your design. You should use your tool/project thoughtfully to help the class move from information to knowledge in a well-designed, interactive exercise that can be evaluated.

Each member of the group should speak/have a role in the presentation.

Evaluation Criteria:

Unit 3: Introduction to Classification and Databases

Reference Reading:

CDH II.14: Classification and its Structures

Definitions -- Classification

collection:
a group of objects/items. It may be classified or unclassified
classification:
assignment of something to a class; generally, the grouping together of objects into classes.
class:
a set of objects that share some property. For example, a literary genre is a class of texts.
member:
one object in a class.
property:
specific trait of members in a class used to classify members. Properties used to sort members should be relevant to the classification scheme.
one-dimensional classification scheme:
classification system based on a single differentiating property. For example, dividing all humans into "male" and "female" categories.
nominal classification scheme:
a type of one-dimensional classification scheme where the members of the class are not ordered in relation to each other.
ordinal classification scheme:
a type of one-dimensional classification scheme where the members of the class are sequenced or ordered in relation to each other (for example, students classified by freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
n-dimensional classification scheme:
a classification system that has multiple axes or properties for classifying members of the scheme. Each property may be ordinal or nominal. For example, a student record lists all semesters a student has attended, all classes taken in each semester, and grades earned for each class.
discrete data:
data is provided in units such as by year or per person.
continuous data:
data is a function of continuous change, such as change over time.

Examples of Classification Schemes

Homework 2: Evaluating Teaching and Learning

Due: midnight Tuesday 10/5 in the Assignments tool in Canvas

Format:

Completed worksheet. See prompts below.

Instructions:

In this assignment you will evaluate the exercise you designed and presented.

  1. Explain your assignment design:
  2. Did your assignment function as expected in the classroom? Explain.
  3. Explain the evaluation of your assignment:
  1. What was the evaluation criteria--i.e., how did you know if students met the objectives?
  2. How many students met the objectives?
  3. Reflect on these results:
  1. How would you improve this assignment in the future? Explain.

Evaluation Criteria:

Oral History Project Next Steps

  1. Check the spreadsheet in Canvas → Files → service_learning → oralhistory_narr_list_student.xlsx to see which narrator you've been assigned
  2. Do some research:
  1. read about transformational leadership (PDF in the same folder as the spreadsheet: gibbon_transformationalleadership.pdf
  2. use the URL in the spreadsheet (if applicable) and read more about your narrator
  3. check the "Research Topics" field in the spreadsheet and do some more research and reading to prepare
  1. Make first contact with your narrator: phone first, then send a follow up email as applicable (see note in the spreadsheet). Be professional when contacting narrators:
  1. Introduce yourself and indicate that you are from Lourdes University
  2. Mention that you are working on the Oral History project with Amelia Gibbon and Reinvest Toledo
  3. Be as flexible as possible when setting up a time to talk, and be sure it's clear whether the interview will be phone, Zoom, or in person (their preference)
  4. Refer them to me if they have any questions that you cannot answer: "My instructor, Susan Shelangoskie, can follow up with you about that. When is a good time for her to call you?"
  5. Thank them for being willing to share their time and story
  1. Be prepared to make multiple attempts to contact your subject: don't give up, just keep trying different times of day until you get through.
  2. Track all of your time for these tasks in your Service Learning Log spreadsheet

Resources

Oral History Project Questions

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

In the News

Week 7: Unit 2--Learning and Teaching Technology

Monday 10/4

Presentation: Teaching a New Skill

Due: in class 10/4

Format:

multimedia presentation and activity of 20-25 minutes

Instructions:

In this exercise, you will identify a DH tool or project that you can use to help the class meet a learning objective of your design. You should use your tool/project thoughtfully to help the class move from information to knowledge in a well-designed, interactive exercise that can be evaluated.

Each member of the group should speak/have a role in the presentation.

Evaluation Criteria:

Week 7: Unit 3--Introduction to Classification and Databases

Wednesday 10/6

Reference Reading:

Definitions -- Classification (review)

collection:
a group of objects/items. It may be classified or unclassified
classification:
assignment of something to a class; generally, the grouping together of objects into classes.
class:
a set of objects that share some property. For example, a literary genre is a class of texts.
member:
one object in a class.
property:
specific trait of members in a class used to classify members. Properties used to sort members should be relevant to the classification scheme.
one-dimensional classification scheme:
classification system based on a single differentiating property. For example, dividing all humans into "male" and "female" categories.
nominal classification scheme:
a type of one-dimensional classification scheme where the members of the class are not ordered in relation to each other.
ordinal classification scheme:
a type of one-dimensional classification scheme where the members of the class are sequenced or ordered in relation to each other (for example, students classified by freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
n-dimensional classification scheme:
a classification system that has multiple axes or properties for classifying members of the scheme. Each property may be ordinal or nominal. For example, a student record lists all semesters a student has attended, all classes taken in each semester, and grades earned for each class.
discrete data:
data is provided in units such as by year or per person.
continuous data:
data is a function of continuous change, such as change over time.

In-Class Exercise 8: Defining Classes

Instructions:

In this exercise, you will begin to learn about classification by analyzing a dataset and discussing how it could be classified.

Part 1: Challenging Assumptions

Consider the data provided and answer the following preliminary questions:

  1. What and the properties of these data items?--brainstorm as many as you can.
  2. Which properties might be meaningful for classification of these items? To answer this question, indicate what types of questions about the data you could answer if you tracked specific properties.

Part 2: Context

To design a sound classification system, you need to understand the purpose and uses of your data. It's like a rhetorical situation--remember, rhetoric is understanding the available means of persuasion and knowing how to choose the most effective for the situation. So too when thinking about a classification system: you need to understand the situation and ask some key questions about how the data will be used before determining your classification system.

Consider the following scenario:

Scenario

You work for a candy company that manufactures different types of candy and distributes it to retailers. You need to keep track of the candy inventory and fill orders, and you need to report on the inventory use to the manufacturing division so that they know how much of different types of candy to produce. Below are some sample requests from retailers:

  1. Knowing this context, what kind of properties do you need to track about the inventory of each candy? [input]
  2. What properties of the candy itself do you need to know? [input]
  3. What kinds of reports would you need to produce? [output]

After thinking through this new information, come up with a set of classes. Make some notes about your scheme, and be sure to identify important primary and secondary properties .

Guidelines for Classification

Homework 2: Evaluating Teaching and Learning

Due: midnight Tuesday 10/5 in the Assignments tool in Canvas

Format:

Completed worksheet. See prompts below.

Instructions:

In this assignment you will evaluate the exercise you designed and presented.

  1. Explain your assignment design:
  2. Did your assignment function as expected in the classroom? Explain.
  3. Explain the evaluation of your assignment:
  1. What was the evaluation criteria--i.e., how did you know if students met the objectives?
  2. How many students met the objectives?
  3. Reflect on these results:
  1. How would you improve this assignment in the future? Explain.

Evaluation Criteria:

Oral History Project Next Steps

  1. Check the spreadsheet in Canvas → Files → service_learning → oralhistory_narr_list_student.xlsx to see which narrator you've been assigned
  2. Do some research:
  1. read about transformational leadership (PDF in the same folder as the spreadsheet: gibbon_transformationalleadership.pdf
  2. use the URL in the spreadsheet (if applicable) and read more about your narrator
  3. check the "Research Topics" field in the spreadsheet and do some more research and reading to prepare
  1. Make first contact with your narrator: phone first, then send a follow up email as applicable (see note in the spreadsheet). Be professional when contacting narrators:
  1. Introduce yourself and indicate that you are from Lourdes University
  2. Mention that you are working on the Oral History project with Amelia Gibbon and Reinvest Toledo
  3. Be as flexible as possible when setting up a time to talk, and be sure it's clear whether the interview will be phone, Zoom, or in person (their preference)
  4. Refer them to me if they have any questions that you cannot answer: "My instructor, Susan Shelangoskie, can follow up with you about that. When is a good time for her to call you?"
  5. Thank them for being willing to share their time and story
  1. Be prepared to make multiple attempts to contact your subject: don't give up, just keep trying different times of day until you get through.
  2. Track all of your time for these tasks in your Service Learning Log spreadsheet

Resources

Examples of Classification Schemes

Oral History Project Questions

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

In the News

Week 8: Unit 3--Introduction to Classification and Databases

Monday 10/11

Reference Reading:

Key Terms

metadata database:
data that describes materials or files in a repository. A library catalog is an example of metadata: you can see a description of a specific primary material, but not the object itself. The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative is a commonly used set of metadate properties.
primary database:
stand-alone document that does not link to or manage other files. A corpus and concordance are types of primary databases.
flat database:
a classification scheme that is defined by independent properties/axes that can be described for each member of the set. A flat database can be contained in a single table.
relational database:
a classification scheme that is defined by a series of datasets and described relationships among them. They are typically linked by a primary key, a unique index that may be expressive or inexpressive. All related data tables and the relational rules are necessary to describe the database.
independent relationship:
database relationship where the data in multiple tables can be correlated, but exist independently of each other.
dependent relationship:
database relationship where integrity is reinforced between records in two tables. For example, if a master record is deleted, all related records in the other table are also deleted.
field:
one cell of information in a record. A field has a specific content type.
content type:
the type of information that will be recorded for a specific property in a dataset. Each field of a database will have a content type. The possible content types will vary depending on the database system or programming/query language used to encode the data. However, some typical types are boolean, numeric (e.g. double, int), string/character, formatted (e.g. date, time).
boolean:
a content type that stores binary data (true/false; yes/no; 0/1). The value of the binary will be determined by which database system or programming or query language used to encode the data.
numeric:
a content type that stores data as numeric values. Often there are specific subcategories such as short/long integer, double (decimal values). Mathematical operations can be performed with numeric values.
string/character:
a content type that stores data as a string of characters: for example, words/text or a collection of characters of any type. Some databases limit the length of string fields (typically the limit is 255 characters) or differentiate between a limited "string" field and an unlimited "text" field for longer strings of data. Mathematical operations cannot be peformed using string fields, but there are many string handling functions that can be used to analyze data of this type.
formatted:
a content type that requires a specific data format for data entry and display. The format type, such as a specific date or time format, is selected when the database is designed, and then typically a format mask will be provided to the user at the time of input. Data that does not match the required format is rejected.
format mask:
a data entry aid that shows users the required format for data entered in a formatted field. For example: ##/##/#### or ##:##xm. A format mask aids in data validation.
data validation:
A process for checking the data entered into a field before accepting the value in the database. Strong data validation rules ensure data consistency, but they can also lead to the loss of outlier data.
controlled vocabulary:
using an agreed-upon set of terms to classify within the system to avoid duplication or orphan data. For example: LoC subject headings.
index or identifier or primary key:
an indexing field that is unique for every member in the set. It may be expressive or inexpressive. Your Social Security Number is your primary key index value as a citizen/authorized resident of the United States. Your "900 number" is your primary key index value as a Lourdes University Student. For example, a Dewey decimal number on a book in a library collection, or the title of a book and a collection of novels.
expressive notation:
the use of index terms that express meaning about classification system being used. For example the Dewey decimal system. Sometimes expressive systems are incompletely expressive-- that is, some properties are signaled by the index, but some are not.
inexpressive notation:
the use of index terms that uniquely identify members of the class but do not signify any information about the classification system. For example, the book title in a collection of novels.
scope notes:
description of the scope of a class within a classification system. Sometimes the name of the class is sufficient, but these notes can be used when not.

Guidelines for Classification

In-Class Exercise 9: Conceptualizing a Database

Instructions:

In this exercise, we'll use our classification system developed in In-Class #8 to start creating a database.

Our candy company is designing a new order tracking system. The first step is to create a system for describing the stock items, identifying the customers, and creating orders for individual customers. The chief data analyst suggests these data tables:

  1. Candy characteristics
  2. Customer information
  3. Orders
  4. Order items

She also suggests a dynamic list as a support table with size/packaging options.

Participate in the discussion to help further define the fields for these tables.

Candy characteristics

Fields discussed last time:

1. Why might it be a good idea to separate this information from the "size/packaging" information?

2. Should "size" and "packaging options" be 1 field or 2? Think about the types of values that would be tracked for these and explain your answer.

Customer Information

What fields to we need? Let's keep it simple--just the basics.

Orders and Order Items: Topics

  1. create an index for order number using an inexpressive notation method. Explain
  2. create an index for order number using an expressive notation method; explain the rule(s) used to create the index terms systematically.

Support Table: Dynamic Controlled Vocabularies

How strong should the data validation be for the use of this/these controlled vocabularies?

In-Class 10: Building a Database

Instructions:

In this exercise, we will use the database plan generated by the class in In-Class #9 to start building the database. We will use Microsoft Access in class because this is the database software that is available on University computers.

This exercise will be completed over two class periods.

Part 1: Learn the Interface

  1. Follow the instructions to explore the table in design view. Note the different possible data types and how to create simple validation rules for entering data into a field.
  2. Follow the instructions to create a new table

Part 2: Structure

  1. Add indexes and primary keys to tables as needed based on the database plan developed last time.
  2. Work with the relationships pane as instructed to create a relationship between tables.

Week 8: Unit 3--Introduction to Classification and Databases

Wednesday 10/13

In-Class 10: Building a Database (continued)

Instructions:

In this exercise, we will use the database plan generated by the class in In-Class #9 to start building the database. We will use Microsoft Access in class because this is the database software that is available on University computers.

This exercise will be completed over two class periods.

Part 3: Create an Input/Display Form

  1. Follow the instructions to use the Form Wizard to create a form based on the main table.
  2. Follow the instructions to add a subform based on the "order_items" table.
  3. Modify the input form for functional aesthetics.
  4. View the form, and test inputting some data

Part 4: Create a Query

In order to display the data in a useful way, the information from the main table and features table needs to be combined into one table, based on criteria you select. This functionality is accomplished through a Query. A language called SQL is used to author querys, but the coding is done automatically for you in Database programs like Access.

  1. Follow the instructions to create a new Query that draws information from multiple tables.
  2. After watching the examples of flitering and sorting, set your Query to show only one order.
  3. Run your Query. Then, switch to SQL View to see how these conditions are coded.

Part 5: Create a Report

Ultimately, collected data is only useful if it can be displayed in some purposeful way. This function can be accomplished with a report.

Follow the instructions to use a Report Wizard to create a report based on the Query made in Part 5.

Quiz 2

Due: The quiz is open from 5pm Wed 10/13 through noon Wednesday 10/20

Instructions:

Access Quiz #2 online through the Quizzes tool in Canvas. This is an untimed quiz. It is recommended that only a wired internet connection or reliable WiFi connection be used.

Quiz #2 covers the definitions and concepts related to databases discussed in Unit 3. You may wish to review the reference readings and definitions for this unit and have available the completed database before taking this quiz. The quiz includes multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

This quiz is OPEN reading, notes, and database. You may retake the quiz one time if desired. The highest score of the two attempts will be recorded. Note: this quiz is created from a pool of questions, so a second attempt will have a different set of questions than the first.

Oral History Project Next Steps

  1. Check the spreadsheet in Canvas → Files → service_learning → oralhistory_narr_list_student.xlsx to see which narrator you've been assigned
  2. Do some research:
  1. read about transformational leadership (PDF in the same folder as the spreadsheet: gibbon_transformationalleadership.pdf
  2. use the URL in the spreadsheet (if applicable) and read more about your narrator
  3. check the "Research Topics" field in the spreadsheet and do some more research and reading to prepare
  1. Make first contact with your narrator: phone first, then send a follow up email as applicable (see note in the spreadsheet). Be professional when contacting narrators:
  1. Introduce yourself and indicate that you are from Lourdes University
  2. Mention that you are working on the Oral History project with Amelia Gibbon and Reinvest Toledo
  3. Be as flexible as possible when setting up a time to talk, and be sure it's clear whether the interview will be phone, Zoom, or in person (their preference)
  4. Refer them to me if they have any questions that you cannot answer: "My instructor, Susan Shelangoskie, can follow up with you about that. When is a good time for her to call you?"
  5. Thank them for being willing to share their time and story
  1. Be prepared to make multiple attempts to contact your subject: don't give up, just keep trying different times of day until you get through.
  2. Track all of your time for these tasks in your Service Learning Log spreadsheet

Resources

Examples of Classification Schemes

Oral History Project Questions

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

In the News

Week 9: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 10/18

Fall Break--No Class

Week 9: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 10/20

Databases: Topic Review/Wrap Up

Key Terms (review)

metadata database:
data that describes materials or files in a repository. A library catalog is an example of metadata: you can see a description of a specific primary material, but not the object itself. The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative is a commonly used set of metadata properties.
field:
one cell of information in a record. A field has a specific content type.
content type:
the type of information that will be recorded for a specific property in a dataset. Each field of a database will have a content type. The possible content types will vary depending on the database system or programming/query language used to encode the data. However, some typical types are boolean, numeric (e.g. double, int), string/character, formatted (e.g. date, time).
data validation:
A process for checking the data entered into a field before accepting the value in the database. Strong data validation rules ensure data consistency, but they can also lead to the loss of outlier data.
controlled vocabulary:
using an agreed-upon set of terms to classify within the system to avoid duplication or orphan data. For example: LoC subject headings.
scope notes:
description of the scope of a class within a classification system. Sometimes the name of the class is sufficient, but these notes can be used when not.

Workshop 1: Metadata

In this workshop we will learn about the metadata that we will use to describe our oral history data. We will learn about the metadata fields that are tracked by TLCPL for data of this type, and we will use the scope notes provided by the library to determine what data we need to enter.

Part 1. Preparation

  1. Go to our class Canvas site and navigate to Files → ws01
  2. Download the 2 files in the folder: 2017-07-11Metadata_Manual.docx and oral_history_metadata_spreadsheet.xlsx.
  3. Open both of the files in Word and Excel (respectively)

Part 2. Metadata Fields

Participate in the class discussion and exercises for learning about the fields and determining the appropriate values for the fields.

Fields

Exercise: Analyzing a Description

Read the sample description below and then answer the questions:

David Shugar grew up in Maumee, Ohio. One of his greatest stories was about going to the Maumee Library and getting to know the librarian and discovering the variety of books that were available. He attended Maumee Schools, where he played in the high school band. His life centered around his love of cars, Ford Mustangs, and his work for Delta Airlines, and at the age of fifty, he retired. He investigated several activities to become involved in in his retirement, one of which was the Maumee Community Band. This oral history was recorded with David and his wife Candace at the Maumee Branch Library in the Children’s area on the morning of June 15, 2017 by TLCPL Local History Librarian, Irene Martin.

  1. How would you characterize the information presented here?
  2. Based on this sample, what elements are required for a description?
  3. What should be the approximate length of a description?
Exercise: Copyright
  1. Review our release statement (Canvas → Files → service_learning → Oral History Participant Relase Form.docx and review the 3 copyright options.
  2. Visit rightsstatements.org and review the possible rights statement options.
  3. Indicate which one you think aligns with each of our 3 options.
Exercise: File Name Conventions
  1. Go to the "File Name" section of the scope notes starting on page 28
  2. Review the guidelines
  3. List elements you think would be important to represent in the filename for our files--consider that we may have image files and will have PDF transcript files in addition to the sound file.
  4. What are your recommendations for file naming conventions:

3. Follow Up

  1. Upload your raw audio file to our shared drive. Be sure to use the agreed upon file naming conventions.
  2. Upload any additional image files provided by your narrator
  3. Download a copy of the oral_history_metadata_spreadsheet.xlsx (see Part 1. above)
  4. Enter your metadata as we discussed in class
  5. Submit your completed spreadsheet in Canvas → Assignments → WS1

Note: You will not receive points for the workshop until you have submitted your raw sound and image files and completed metadata file.

Quiz 2

Due: The quiz is open from 5pm Wed 10/13 through noon Friday 10/22

Instructions:

Access Quiz #2 online through the Quizzes tool in Canvas. This is an untimed quiz. It is recommended that only a wired internet connection or reliable WiFi connection be used.

Quiz #2 covers the definitions and concepts related to databases discussed in Unit 3. You may wish to review the reference readings and definitions for this unit and have available the completed database before taking this quiz. The quiz includes multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

This quiz is OPEN reading, notes, and database. You may retake the quiz one time if desired. The highest score of the two attempts will be recorded. Note: this quiz is created from a pool of questions, so a second attempt will have a different set of questions than the first.

Week 10: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 10/25

References

Workshop 2: Transcribing

1. Transcription

  1. Go to our Canvas site → Files → wk10
  2. Download/access the file wk10_introtooralhistory.pdf and follow along in the review of information on pp. 15 and 16. Discussion of transcription vs. time-subject indexing.
  3. Discussion: Creating a transcription
  1. Use a standard word processed file
  2. Start with a header that includes:
    Name: FirstName LastName
    Date of interview: Month dd, yyyy
    Location: Address [Zoom, phone]
    Interviewer: FirstName LastName
    Project: Title
  3. Transcribe the audio files using time codes and the format demonstrated in this example: SOSF Oral History -- Sample Transcription
  4. Demonstration: using Inqscribe to help make transcribing/editing a raw trascript file easier.
  5. When your transcription is complete save it as a PDF file.

Transcribing Tips

Inscribe

2. Working with Audio Files

You will probably need to edit your raw audio file. We want to preserve the most authentic version of the interview possible as the master file, so use the guidelines below as you determine what to edit.

OK to edit DO NOT edit
  • preliminary chat/sound before the interview officially began
  • extra sound/space at the end of the interview
  • lengthy pauses within the interview:
    Note: trim these rather than eliminating altogether to indicate that the speaker paused for thought.
  • false starts
  • reprasing/correction of misspeaking
  • do not remove content editorially--maintain the complete interview in as authentic a form as possible.

To edit your audio file, I recommend using a free audio editor like Audacity

You may also be able to do some simple editing in the recording app you used to create the file or use a default editor that comes with your OS.

Demonstration: Audacity

If your recorder uses .m4a files, you will also need to download the FFmpeg plug-in and follow the installation instructions.

Tips for Working with Audacity

MP3 settings

3. Follow Up

  1. Practice editing an audio file. For this practice, you can use your raw audio file from our practice interviews. These files are available in our shared drive in the test_files → raw folder. Practice trimming content: create a 2:00 excerpt of the file.
  2. Exporting the file as an mp3 with appropriate metadata.
  3. Use your last name as part of the file name for the purposes of this exercise
  4. Practice creating a transcript. For this practice, use the 2:00 minute audio file created in 1 above, either the test audio or your actual interview. Create a finished transcript with properly formatted time codes, speaker id, and paragraphing.
  5. Save the word processed file as a PDF. Remember to use the appropriate file naming convention.
  6. Upload these files to WS2 in Canvas Assignments:
  1. your edited audio file
  2. your word-processed transcript file
  3. your PDF trascript file

Week 10: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 10/27

Individual help with audio editing and transcription
Meet in SAH 164 -- 2:35-3:50pm

WS2 Follow Up due by midnight

Homework 3: Oral History Data

Due: midnight Friday 11/5 in the Assignments tool in Canvas

Format:

  1. Completed metadata row in class spreadsheet
  2. Submitted complete transcription

Part 1. Metadata

Use the skills from Workshop 1 to enter all of the metadata for your oral history in the class worksheet. Be sure to follow formatting conventions for each field, to complete each required field, and to double check your work.

Part 2. Edited Audio File

Use the skills from Workshop 2 to edit your audio file to remove extraneous sound from the beginning and end and enter appropriate metadata for your mp3 master. You may also need to convert your file to mp3, depending on the original recording format.

Part 3. Transcription

Use the skills from from Workshop 2 to create a complete transcription for your oral history. Be sure to use time codes and to follow best practices for formatting the data.

Evaluation Criteria:

Metadata
Audio File
Transcription

Resources

Project Resources

File Naming Conventions:

List of Fields to Enter

If you have questions, see the data in the template and the scope notes for more information.

Transcription and Editing

Audio Apps Recommended by John from TLCPL

iOS (Apple)

Andriod

In the News

Week 11: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 11/1

Workshop 3: Putting the Project Online

Logging in to the site

Use the information below to log in to the site.

ID: eng353
Password: sosf1958

  1. Log in to Omeka
  2. Click on "Manage Site" under dms300f21.omeka.net

Data Entry

This week, you will complete the following data entry (note that there will be fields you will leave blank. These will not show up on the public item and exhibit pages.):

We will use the metadata tracked in the spreadsheet from Workshop 1 as the basis for information in the web database. If you have not yet completed this metadata, then watch the demonstration in class, and take notes about which fields from the spreadsheet match to fields in the online database. Note: not all of the spreadsheet fields will be used in the online database.

  1. From the menu on the left, click on Items
  2. Click on the Add Item button at the bottom of the item list.
  3. Note the available tabs at the top of the add/edit item interface:
    Dublin Core
    Item Type Metadata
    Files
    Tags
    Map
    Always start with the Dublin Core tab.

Dublin Core Metadata

The Dublin Core Metadata is a standardized set of fields, some with controlled vocabulary and all with clear guidelines (see link) that have been adopted by many libraries, includng TLCPL. Use the table below to see which TLCPL spreadsheet fields correspond to the Dublin Core fields in our digital exhibit.

Note: enter the field data exactly as it is in the spreadsheet; use the TLCPL Metadata Manual to help you format each field correctly (see Workshop 1 for more information.

TLCPL Metadata Spreadsheet Field Omeka Online Database Field
Title Title
Subject Subject
Description Description
Creator Creator
Date of Original Date
Contributor
*Use this one if you are working with a partner; the creator should be the person who created the digital file. The contributor is the other student.
Contributor
Rights Description
*you may not know this yet if your narrator has not returned the copyright agreement yet.
Rights
Format (Original) Format
Language Language
Type Type
Coverage Coverage

Item Type Metadata

  1. Click on the Item Type Metadata tab (in the Edit Item area)
  2. Select "Oral History" from the dropdown list
  3. Enter the fields as described below
Field Notes
Interviewer Enter the name of interviewer(s)in LastName, Firstname format. If there are 2 interviewers, separate names with a semi-colon.
Interviewee Enter the name of the narrator in LastName, FirstName format.
Location Enter the location address or Phone or Video Conference as applicable.
Transcription
  • click the Use HTML checkbox
  • Copy your transcription from your word processed file and paste it into the HTML editor.
Original Format Use the data from the Format (Digital) field of the TLCPL spreadsheet.
Duration Use the data from the Extent field of the TLCPL spreadsheet.

Files

  1. Click on the Files tab.
  2. Click on Choose File.
  3. Select your audio file--be sure it is the finished .mp3 file named according to our naming conventions for the project.
  4. Click Save Changes

If you have images that have been provided by your narrator, repeat this process to add them. Be sure images have been named according to file naming conventions for the projec before they are uploaded.

Map

  1. Click on the Map tab
  2. In the Find box, enter the Latitude, Longitude from the TLCPL metadata spreadsheet.
  3. Click Save Changes

Follow Up

To complete this workshop, add your item and enter all of the metadata as indicated above. Then submit your Item's public URL to Homework #4 in Canvas.

Finding the Public URL:

  1. Log in
  2. Click on Items
  3. Click on the title of your item
  4. Click on View Public Page
  5. A new tab will open. Copy the URL from the new tab: this is your Public URL.

Week 11: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 11/3

Workshop 4: Creating an Exhibit Page

Creating your Exhibit Page

  1. Click on Exhibits from the left navigation menu
  2. Click the Edit link beneath the "Toledo's Finest" exhibit
  3. Scroll to the bottom and click on Add Page
  4. Enter a page title (during the workshop, you can enter a placeholder title)
  5. Enter a menu link title that is a shortened version if you have a lengthier title
  6. Enter a slug: all lower case, no spaces, no special characters. This will become part of the URL for the page, so something easy for users.
  7. Select a layout: "File with Text" recommended.
  8. Click Add new content block button at the bottom of the page
  9. Click Add item and select one or both of your items, as applicable
  10. You will enter a contextual introduction to your interview here (we will discuss this)
  11. Click Save Changes

Contextual Item Introduction

Write an introduction for your item. Paragraph 1 should explain relevant historical and/or conceptual context -- for example, discussing topics related to your narrator's profession or activism in Toledo in the appropriate time periods. Paragraph 2 should connect this context to the work or activism of your narrator.

Image

You should also consider adding an image to your item so it will appear on your exhibit page. If your narrator supplies an image, be sure to upload that file first and then your audio so that the image is the display item. (You can also re-order files--ask if you need help). If your narrator does not provide an image, consider choosing a relevant image that is copyright free. A good source is Wikimedia Commons.

Follow Up

Finding the Public URL:

  1. Log in
  2. Click on Exhibits
  3. Click Edit under "Toledo's Finest"
  4. Scroll down and click on the name of your page to enter Edit view
  5. Click on View Public Page
  6. A new tab will open. Copy the URL from the new tab: this is your Public URL.

Homework 3: Oral History Data

Due: midnight Friday 11/5 in the Assignments tool in Canvas

Format:

  1. Completed metadata row in class spreadsheet
  2. Submitted complete transcription

Part 1. Metadata

Use the skills from Workshop 1 to enter all of the metadata for your oral history in the class worksheet. Be sure to follow formatting conventions for each field, to complete each required field, and to double check your work.

Part 2. Edited Audio File

Use the skills from Workshop 2 to edit your audio file to remove extraneous sound from the beginning and end and enter appropriate metadata for your mp3 master. You may also need to convert your file to mp3, depending on the original recording format.

Part 3. Transcription

Use the skills from from Workshop 2 to create a complete transcription for your oral history. Be sure to use time codes and to follow best practices for formatting the data.

Evaluation Criteria:

Metadata
Audio File
Transcription

Oral History Project Next Steps

  1. Check the spreadsheet in Canvas → Files → service_learning → oralhistory_narr_list_student.xlsx to see which narrator you've been assigned
  2. Do some research:
  1. read about transformational leadership (PDF in the same folder as the spreadsheet: gibbon_transformationalleadership.pdf
  2. use the URL in the spreadsheet (if applicable) and read more about your narrator
  3. check the "Research Topics" field in the spreadsheet and do some more research and reading to prepare
  1. Make first contact with your narrator: phone first, then send a follow up email as applicable (see note in the spreadsheet). Be professional when contacting narrators:
  1. Introduce yourself and indicate that you are from Lourdes University
  2. Mention that you are working on the Oral History project with Amelia Gibbon and Reinvest Toledo
  3. Be as flexible as possible when setting up a time to talk, and be sure it's clear whether the interview will be phone, Zoom, or in person (their preference)
  4. Refer them to me if they have any questions that you cannot answer: "My instructor, Susan Shelangoskie, can follow up with you about that. When is a good time for her to call you?"
  5. Thank them for being willing to share their time and story
  1. Be prepared to make multiple attempts to contact your subject: don't give up, just keep trying different times of day until you get through.
  2. Track all of your time for these tasks in your Service Learning Log spreadsheet
  1. Enter your data into the spreadsheet as indicated in Workshop 1. Review the information for copyright and file naming in the resources section below.

Week 12: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 11/8

Workshop 5: Writing an Exhibit Introduction

Brainstorming

Work on your own or with a partner (as assigned) to brainstorm ideas for our exhibit introduction.

Content

  1. List some of the significant context you learned about related to your interview:
  2. List some of the most significant things you learned form interviewing your narrator:
  3. List some of the most significant things you learned from participating in this project:

Links

Visit the Exhibit Introduction Draft and enter any links that would be relevant for the intro--whether from your research or specifically about your narrator.

Editing

Participate in the class discussion about editing the introduction.

Week 12: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 11/11

Workshop 6: Planning a Launch Event

Our final task for the term, is to launch our exhibit. This week, we need to answer the questions below and assign areas of responsibility among class members.

Planning

  1. Do we want a live event or to promote just the site itself?
  2. live event: What would the event entail?
  3. online event: What supplementary materials would we want to develop?
  1. What are our goals in promoting the exhibit? There is always the philosophical argument of public education for the sake of the public good, but more pragmatically, what can we accomplish for our community by promoting viewing the exhibit?
  2. How will we accomplish our goals?
  3. How will we measure our success? We have Google Analytics installed, so we will have some data, but what are our metrics for success? Do we want to develop any additional assessment or feedback--viewer comments, a survey, etc.?

After discussing the areas above, we will determine tasks that need to be accomplished, assign responsibilities, and create a timeline for completing tasks.

Week 13: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 11/15

Workshop 7: Planning a Launch Event--Video

Meet in St. Agnes Hall

1. Interviews for the video

2. Audio and images

3. Update on Planning

Week 13: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 11/17

Workshop: Marketing and Evaluation

We will divide into 2 teams: marketing and evaluation. The marketing team will work with me to develop our ideas, materials, and timeline. The evaluation team will work with the University director of assessment to develop a valid evaluation survey for the event.

If it is available, we will watch a raw cut of the video.

Marketing

Evaluation

Homework

Build digital item and exhibit pages in Omeka assigned to: students who have completed their interview but have not finished this yet

Week 14: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 11/21

Peer Review and User Testing

Advanced Preparation

Prior to the Peer Review, you should complete the following items:

  1. Fill out the metadata spreadsheet for TLCPL. Find the spreadsheet in Canvas: Files → ws01. Turn in the spreadsheet as part of Homework #3.
  2. Edit your audio file and convert it to .mp3 format if it is not already in that format. Be sure to use our File Naming Conventions. Post the completed .mp3 to your Omeka item that you create for Homework #4.
  3. Create a complete transcript of your file. Be sure to include the transcript header and use correct formatting for the transcript itself. Add the transcript to your Omeka item that you create for Homework #4
  4. Create your Omeka Item. Be sure to enter the necessary metadata fields. Include your audio file and paste in your transcript. Submit the public/view URL for Homework #4.
  5. Create your Omeka Exhibit page. Inlcude your 2 paragraphs of context and link to your Item. (Instructions here). Turn in the public/view URL for the finished Exhibit page for Homework 5.

Complete the advanced preparation by midnight, Sunday 11/21

Completing the Peer Review

Due by midnight, Monday 11/22

Review the work of one of your classmates and evaluate as indicated. Remember that your careful constructive feedback is helpful to your classmate to help them identify issues that can be fixed before final grading takes place.

Evaluate the criteria listed below. For any "No" responses, provide comments and suggestions.

The review will be conducted online on Monday 11/22.

Post your links by midnight Sunday 11/21 at the latest

How to complete the Review

  1. Go to the Discussions tool in Canvas
  2. Access the links posted by the classmate you are reviewing
  3. Complete the review--and remember, you're helping your classmate and improving our overall exhibit by providing honest, detailed feedback
  4. Discuss your review with your partner
Criterion YES NO Comments
Are all of the required metadata fields provided for each item?
Does the item description conform to the format for descriptions in the library collection?
Does the exhibit page introduction provide informational historical/cultural context for the item(s)?
Does the exhibit page introduction connect the context to the specific item(s)?
Is there other information you'd like to know about the item(s)?
Is there other information you'd like to know about the cultural/historical context?
Is the tone appropriate and consistent with the overall exhibit?
Does the exhibit page link to external sources for more information as appropriate?
Does the writing (items and exhibit page) conform to standard of Edited American English?
Is there a block with references provided at the end of the exhibit page?
Are the references complete and formatted correctly (MLA)
Other Comments

Week 14: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 11/23

Thanksgiving Break--No Class

Week 15: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Monday 11/29

Launch Event Preparation

Week 15: Unit 4--Oral History and Digital Archiving Project with RT and TLCPL

Wednesday 12/1

Launch Event Run Through: Meet in the Franciscan Center at our usual class time