As the Instructional Designer for DHRI@SMU, I was tasked with creating an immersive and community-driven learning experience for humanities scholars to develop technical competencies for their research and teaching. The multi-day institute, attended by graduate students, professional support staff, and faculty, aimed to provide a foundational approach to technical skills.
The design philosophy of DHRI@SMU is rooted in the concept of Situated Learning within a Community of Practice, creating an environment where participants can grow their expertise through interaction and collaboration with others. The curriculum was built using 4 Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) and utilized a range of platforms and tools, such as Github, Juypter notebooks, Slack, Zoom, and Aporto, to foster dynamic learning experiences.
Unlike traditional bootcamp-style workshops, DHRI@SMU emphasizes a foundation-based approach to technical skill development, aiming to scaffold attendees’ learning process and build a coherent mental model for better understanding and critical use of technology. This approach has resulted in participants being more self-sufficient and better equipped to teach themselves and others, leading to a common vocabulary and skill set that forms the basis for strong collaborations in the future.
Relevant Links:
Presentation about DHRI@SMU given at Texas Library Association’s Annual Meeting
Workshop on Designing Better Digital Humanities Assignments given at The Collective Conference in Knoxville, TN in 2016
Educator. Designer. Librarian. 