Conference sessions often highlight archivists’ successes as opposed to failures and lessons learned. This session discusses the latter in education and outreach initiatives.
Matt Gorzalski guest lectured two classes in an in-person course for history majors in the Spring 2022. He modified his instruction for the Fall 2022 when the course was offered online and asynchronous. These efforts were met with crickets and a semester’s worth of research was wasted. The experience taught lessons in setting expectations with the instructor and better approaches concerning asynchronous courses.
The Upper Peninsula Digital Network is an access and preservation consortium established in 2021 by a two-year NHPRC implementation grant. During the first summer, Annika Peterson presented workshops that combined a pitch to potential members with a training session about the process and costs of participation. They were, to put it mildly, a complete dumpster fire, but they also taught her many valuable lessons about structuring presentations, working with people of different ages/communication styles, and the importance of pilot projects.
The Michigan Tech Archives is a co-sponsor of a once successful Michigan History Day contest. Post-pandemic, previous approaches to engage teachers and support students have fallen flat. Lindsay Hiltunen will discuss lessons learned to revitalize the program. Challenges explored will include strategies for working with teachers, students, and public schools in widespread rural communities and tribal lands.
