Project Description

This portfolio outlines a program geared towards Brooklyn public high school students. Through a collaboration between the school and BPL’s Center for Brooklyn History, it acts as an introduction to primary source research and begins a mutually beneficial relationship between the two institutions.

Methods

After conducting a needs assessment of my user group (public high school students), I determined that an early introduction to archival research would be greatly beneficial as they transition towards college. I then determined concrete learning outcomes and objectives, evaluation methods, and a step-by-step plan for the program. I presented my program and the handouts/surveys I created to the class.

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My Role

I am the sole author of this work.

Learning Outcome Achieved

User-Centered Services

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Rationale

The overall goal of this project was to create an outcomes-based program that could be evaluated based on concrete learning goals. I did this by taking the time to research my audience and understand how their own preconceptions or anxieties about archival reading room spaces would affect their ability to interact with the material. By compiling a range of teaching tools such as hands-on activities, worksheets, handouts, and surveys, I intended to keep students engaged with the material and increase their confidence in navigating special collections/archival reading room spaces.