An Historical V-LOG: Creating a Digital Library

Deborah A. Sanders, PhD,New Jersey City University, dsanders@njcu.edu

7th Annual Faculty to Faculty Best Practices Showcase

Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning

New Jersey City University March 10, 2006

A Presentation prepared for New Jersey Edge

This presentation will

Discuss the creation of a video log for an African American history course

Demonstrate learning objects created for a multimedia library of audio and video objects.

Purpose

Term to describe the technological delivery of video and other supportive content.

Many observers speculate that videoblogging will transform the Internet

People can communicate audiovisually through personal video posts and globally network with people..

These practices can revolutionize online communication.

What is a Vlog ?

Types of Vlogs

PERSONAL– Documentation of daily lives, recount stories from the past, or air opinions

NEWS- Covering news events.

POLITICAL– Discussion of political issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL - environmental issues, nature, and natural history.

MEDIA - Some vlogs cut and analyze television, documentaries and other mass media.

ENTERTAINMENT - Independently produced TV shows or collections of short films by independent film makers.

EDUCATIONAL- Schools and universities are beginning to explore using vlogs as a teaching and creative medium.

TUTORIAL - advice, demonstrations, how-to's, and tutorials.

RELIGIOUS, MAGAZINE STYLE, ETC.

Vlogging in Higher Education

The question: How and what technologies do we use to enhance teaching and learning

Multimedia enhancements to online and face to face courses provide content for “tech-saavy” and “visually hungry” students.

Higher education will need to adapt teaching methodologies to meet the challenges of e-learning

Video-logging is one of the methods that needs exploration

History of Logging

A ship's log is a record of data relating to a ship or submarine, and provides daily information on events, weather conditions etc.

The historical value of the ship logs cannot be understated

They have provided a vivid picture for us to understand the climatic conditions, but also socio-economic and human conditions of an historical time period.

Designing Multimedia LearningObjects: Creating an African American History Digital Library

Digital library of

Audio digital objects

Video-logs

http://faculty.njcu.edu/dsanders/digital_library/dl_index2.htm

Audio Digital Objects

Thirteen audio clips

Students listen to an introductory statement of approximately three minutes for each lesson on the WEB-CT course site.

The audio media introduces and isolates the main themes of the lesson.

Example: http://faculty.njcu.edu/dsanders/

Video Digital Objects

Five digital video objects of African American historical sites.

Approximately three minutes each

Historical sites illustrate African slavery and the Underground Railroad (a secret network of hiding places as African slaves fled from the institution of slavery in the southern United States 1750-1860).

Slave Castle, Cape Coast Castle, Ghana, West Africa

This video footage is of the male slave dungeon in Ghana, West Africa.

Students will view the dungeon and hear a discussion by the guide.

Narration is provided by the Professor.

Benajamin Banneker, Oella,Maryland, USA

Benjamin Banneker: son of an African slave

One of the first African American scientists circa 1750’s.

Students can view listen to narration about Banneker’s accomplishments.

Underground Railroad Site, Burlington, New Jersey, USA

Underground Railroad site near the Delaware River in New Jersey

Demonstrating the role of Burlington County as a major conduit in the Underground Railroad.

Underground Railroad site in Oberlin, Ohio

Importance of

the small town of Oberlin in hiding and assisting runaway Africans

Photo of sculpture in Oberlin, Ohio

Sudberry Plantation, Barbados

This video footage is of a Plantation House and grounds located in Barbados.

Students view movie and listen to narration by the Professor of typical life of a slave on the Plantation.

Example:

http://faculty.njcu.edu/dsanders/digital_library/dl_index2.htm

Assessment: Benefits of Multimedia Learning Objects

High degree of student interest

Technology Empowerment for Students

Technology Empowerment for Professor

Innovation

Conclusion: Toward a Digital Future in Higher Education

The digital future for higher education will increasingly demand faculty at Universities to utilize technology tools for enhancement of the teaching and learning process.

Conclusion: Toward a Digital Future in Higher Education

The rapid development of innovative educational technology tools presents interesting challenges for future developments of courses in higher education institutions.