There are a lot of questions that I have been thinking about this last semester as I have been “experimenting” with different digital tools and trying to understand how they can assist in the process of creating a scholarly edition based on a historical manuscript. I think the keynote address did a good job of covering these larger questions. To bring a couple of these questions into a specific and hopefully manageable example for discussion:

What are the pros and cons; pitfalls and tips and tricks; time wasters and time savers when using a specific tool, (say Omeka) to organize, develop research questions, analyze, narrate, display and curate a historical manuscript and associated archival documents including other witness accounts and research material? What key elements should be highlighted in a digital historical archive to help it provide the greatest benefit to the larger community?

Let me also add that these pearls of wisdom would come more from the humanists point of view not so much the technical; that is, directed more at our real work not so much about how to use the tool, (there are a lot of guides out there for that.)

Further, I would suggest that a specific goal be identified to come out of the discussion. For example we could create a collaborative, short but helpful FAQ/job aid/guide that summarizes the answers to these and any other questions brought fourth and this could be shared via the Nexus lab with others. Of course any other suggestions for an end product from the discussion would be welcome too. Thank you!

As an urban anthropologist I’d like to get students to use the social media tool VINE in my courses to Provoke Deep Thoughts about urban change. I am inspired by what Vine claims on its web site (vine.co/):

“Vine is the best way to see and share life in motion.”

If this is even remotely true (and not simply a vehicle for teens to make selfies doing goofy things—not that there’s anything wrong with that!), then doesn’t “life in motion” = urban change??

I will bring some Vines about Phoenix to show you what I mean–and I hope you all can bring some Vines too.

Here’s a sample (run it more than once to get the loop effect:
DQ-JuliobertosConverso

Questions to start off:

• How can Vines capture “life in motion” in our neighborhoods and cities?
• How can these micro-movies provoke viewers to think critically about our changing urban environments—and about what is at stake in those changes?
• How can Vines help to expand our “right to the city”?

Prep: open a Vine account (hopefully we can access our online accounts on the Big Screen)

Bring: a smart phone to try Vines-on-the-spot, sample Vines you made, IDEAS (for community advocacy, scholarly visualization, classroom pedagogy…)

I recently received my MA in English Literature at ASU and am interested in:

• Digital mapping tools for a travel literature project – which programs are available? Which are best for creating interactive content? ex: Mapping the Grand Tour
• Social media – how are people using it in teaching and/or research endeavors? Which platforms are they using and for what kinds of projects?

Looking forward to learning something new and hopefully sharing my own experiences.