Lesson Plan: Wearable Devices as Personal Archives

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 50px 0px 10px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://www.dwrl.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/archive-header.jpg” alt=”Stacks of folders on shelves, stuffed with aged yellowed papers. Messily organized and placed in a dim room, the image is the classic representation of an archive, where a scholar must search for documents buried deep in one of the many folders; the inaccessibility of the documents is highlighted by both the dark room and the physical challenge of pulling folders out to read without disturbing or damaging the papers.” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”hsl(0, 0%, 100%)” parallax=”false” class=”cs-ta-left” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”2/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h3″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Learning Objectives[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]This lesson plan invites students to reimagine wearable devices, like smartphones, as digital archives we carry with us. By examining the information we collect in our smartphones, students learn that we can now capture both aggregate data and subjective experiences like never before in history.[/cs_text][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”What qualifies as an archive and how it has changed with the digital age.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]What qualifies as an archive and how it has changed with the digital age.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Reading and writing skills as students collect and synthesize data in order to offer an original analysis.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Reading and writing skills as students collect and synthesize data in order to offer an original analysis.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Why digital archives are so unique and what media can do that a more traditional archive cannot.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Why digital archives are so unique and what media can do that a more traditional archive cannot.[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;”][x_feature_list][x_feature_box title=”Assignment Length” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”40px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”rgb(140, 140, 140)” align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”10px” max_width=”200px” child=”true” connector_width=”1 px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”clock-o”]Two class meetings[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”Required Materials” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”40px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”hsl(0, 0%, 56%)” align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”10px” max_width=”200px” child=”true” connector_width=”1 px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”cut”]In each group of four to five, at least three students must have smartphones. Instructor may have a computer and projector to model the assignment.[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”Skills Necessary” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”40px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”rgb(140, 140, 140)” align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”10px” max_width=”200px” child=”true” connector_width=”1 px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”download”]Students and instructors must know how to operate a smartphone.[/x_feature_box][/x_feature_list][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(250, 250, 250)” parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px;padding: 10px 0px 45px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”globe”]Access and Adaptability[/x_feature_headline][x_gap size=”30px”][cs_text]This lesson plan could forego smartphones and use laptops or classroom computers, instead. If students cannot bring laptops to class, then the instructor may use a computer and projector, transforming the lesson plan from group work to class collaboration, as instructors and students search for data.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(225, 229, 234)” parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px;padding: 10px 0px 45px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”cogs”]Assignment Description[/x_feature_headline][x_gap size=”30px”][cs_text]Students must gather information in order to construct a narrative of life in their city or provide original analysis about a given topic. If they choose to construct a narrative, they may examine where members of their group have checked-in, Facebook events they have attended, local restaurants they have liked or reviewed, etc. What does that say about the zeitgeist of their city or the culture of their generation, for instance? For the approach that emphasizes analysis rather than narrative, they may decide to examine the popular figures they like on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or subscribe to on YouTube in order to analyze what subjects young people are interested in and why.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Instructor Preparation[/x_custom_headline][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”Select a short piece to model for students what they should produce for the written assignment.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Select a short piece to model for students what they should produce for the written assignment.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Print the Digital Media Archive Chart for students.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Print the Digital Media Archive Chart for students.[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Student Preparation[/x_custom_headline][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”Bring smartphones to class.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Bring smartphones to class.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Read assigned text before class.” type=”check” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Read assigned text before class.[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]In-Class or Assignment Instructions[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]Class 1

1. The instructor may assign students a text about archives to prepare them for the first day (suggested: Peter Fritzsche’s article, “The Archive,” in History and Memory from 2005, pages 15-16).
2. The instructor may open by asking students what they think an archive is. What images do the word “archive” conjure up? How does Fritzsche describe archives and what human beings leave behind? Has the digital age changed what we leave behind materially? (This prep should take approximately five minutes.)
3. The final question about what material humans now leave behind should prompt students to consider digital media. The instructor may now lead a discussion about what information our wearable devices contain that is of value for social scientists. This could go in any number of directions from health apps, dating apps, search histories, YouTube channels, Facebook check-ins, popular figures or networks followed on Twitter, Yelp reviews, etc. A conversation should ensue about why these devices offer a radically new perspective than previous archives by democratizing human experiences. (Approx. ten minutes.)
4. Students will work in groups of four to five and pool the data on their smartphones. Ask them to complete the Digital Media Archive Chart (direct link to editable Word document) in order to give their group activity structure. Based on the material gathered by their digital archives, they will construct either a narrative snapshot of their city today or offer original analysis on a given topic.

Class 2
Each group will present their written work to the class and explain how they synthesized the material to derive their analysis/ narratives. [/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px;padding: 100px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://www.dwrl.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/facebook.png” alt=”A commercial image used by Facebook to encourage users to check-in to locations; in the trademark Facebook blue backdrop, it states “Tell your friends you’re here” with the check-in logo of a pinpoint on a map and, beneath that, the word “Facebook.”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(250, 250, 250)” parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px;padding: 10px 0px 45px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”pencil”]Skills Workshop[/x_feature_headline][cs_text][/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]This graph contains “metadata,” or data that gives information about other data. If students want to explore the possibilities of collecting metadata, they may use Twitter’s API Console Tool, the directions for which are found here.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(225, 229, 234)” parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px;padding: 10px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”paperclip”]Assessment Suggestions[/x_feature_headline][x_gap size=”30px”][cs_text]Students may complete the Digital Media Archive Chart during class discussion in order to give their group work structure. They should quickly develop a plan to effectively complete the writing assignment. Students may also examine the Map of Twitter Status Object, provided in “Skills Workshop,” in order to assess just how much information we may derive from a tweet. After careful consideration of their group discussion and the twitter map, students may now brainstorm the kinds of questions researchers may ask. The chart suggests they write “research” questions, which the instructor may evaluate to understand how they approached the assignment.

This is also an opportunity for students to consider the politics of archives, problematized by historians since the 1980s as spaces shaped by the interests of curators and nation-states. How do wearable devices democratize archives and offer us an entirely new model for social science research?[/cs_text][x_gap size=”20px”][x_tab_nav type=”two-up” float=”top”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Suggestions for Portfolio-Style Assessment” active=”true”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Suggestions for Traditional Assessment” active=”false”][/x_tab_nav][x_tabs][x_tab active=”true”]Students should consider their digital “footprint,” or what data they contribute to the internet. Their work should also reflect how deeply connected we are to our wearable devices, used as a tool for personal interaction and business transactions, like Airbnb or Uber.

Additionally, as demonstrated above in the Skills Workshop, a tremendous amount of data can be collected from a simple tweet; research questions may now be asked that were previously unanswerable. Instructors may thus evaluate the creativity of research questions students identify.[/x_tab][x_tab active=”false”]This assignment may be graded by the successful use of the primary sources, here information gathered from the digital archive. Students must weave the rich materials they collect into a coherent narrative or a deep analysis of a certain topic.

Instructors may also evaluate students on the kinds of questions they ask. Innovative approaches to data collection and creative methods of synthesizing that data are important, but so are the questions students think to ask, even if not fully answered. [/x_tab][/x_tabs][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]