While preparing my own Digital History project, I have carefully analyzed different digital aspects individuals have utilized in their own projects. I have viewed many notable sites, however the Smithsonian’s “Talking About Race” project stands out the most*. I view this source to be an inspiration for my own project, not only from a personal standpoint, but also by the OAH’s standard guidelines for how digital history should be reviewed/done properly**.
Though there are many different ways this work can be utilized and interacted with, at its core, “Talking About Race” is a teaching resource for the general public. I specifically enjoyed how information was further categorized depending on your role in society, i.e. caregiver or educator. This helps to drive home the fact that everyone is involved in this talk! I wish to utilize something similar in the design of my project, because it is also a more sensitive one. Overall, these sensitive, complex topics are presented in an easy-to-understand format, and communicated directly.
Even though there are many different sections to this project, the overall site design makes it easy to navigate. I believe it is even easier to use and absorb its information because of the multiple layers, since each subtopic has its own, obvious “home.” I hope to be able to emulate a similar way of navigation in my memory project, since there is overlap in subtopics. Though their site is easier to use on a computer, the mobile version still functions very well! On a similar note, I found it refreshing that it was very easy to find who specifically helped create this project and provided funding. This felt especially important since the project exists on such a large overall platform: the Smithsonian museums.
Overall, I feel as if the extent of this project could only be achieved if it is done in a digital format such as this. “Taking About Race” is so successful not just because of the information it presents, but how it makes the individual interact with their surroundings. In this project an individual can: watch videos, read primary literature, learn how to become connected in a/their community, reach out to members, complete thought exercises, connect with events, support business(s), and even more. After viewing this project, I got the idea to include different support links in my project for caregivers of, and individuals with, Alzheimer’s disease. This also gave me a few ideas of how I could integrate some of the pictures I intend it.
*Talking about race. National Museum of African American History and Culture. (2021, November 20). https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race
**OAH | Journal of american history. (n.d.). https://www.oah.org/publications/jah/