History Lab is in the classroom!
Building on previous faculty-student research projects, we have developed a new course, HistoryLab: Creative Technologies, Hidden Histories, Informal Learning for Virginia Tech students interested in bridging STEM fields, the humanities, education, and the creative arts.
 

ABOUT

THE CLASS

 
History Lab is a transdisciplinary experiential learning course, team-taught by faculty from disciplines such as history, education, computer science, and visual arts, with support from the Library’s Applied Research in Immersive Experiences and Simulations program. Students from various departments work in small, agile teams as they use creative technologies such as 3D modeling and Augmented Reality to explore, interpret, and visualize the past in new ways. The emphasis is on uncovering, representing, and exhibiting hidden or marginalized histories.
 
Projection Mapping Exhibit
14714810_1254155674634837_4164683626284494432_o.jpeg
14753358_1254155691301502_2848208067525607498_o.jpeg
14712662_1254155741301497_6019741249859628240_o.jpeg
14633147_1247645325285872_7024961406168917320_o.jpeg
15003369_1277355505648187_2605555634407676614_o.png
A photograph of a class project

CLASS

PROJECTS

Projects will vary from year to year. During Virginia Tech’s sesquicentennial, student groups will develop exhibits that explore hidden layers of the university’s past. Future projects may include the development of an Augmented Reality application at a Civil War history site; multimedia presentations of LGBTQ+ stories in the New River Valley; Virtual Reality recreations of historic buildings and landscapes; and more.

CLASS

SPECIFICS

HIST 4014 (CRN 20995) | EDCI 4014 (CRN 20994) | ART 4014 CRN (20996)
History Lab: Creative Technologies, Hidden Histories, Informal learning
History Lab is a 4000-level course open to students of any major with sophomore standing and above during the Spring semester. It is a
cross-listed pathways course, and fulfills Virginia Tech’s Pathways requirements in Pathways 6 (Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts) and Pathways 7 (Critical Analysis of Equity and Identity in the United States).

Don't believe us? Here's what our students have to say:

One really interesting part of this experience was learning about the ethical and philosophical considerations that are part of the process of telling history in a museum setting.”
"I think our proudest accomplishment was seeing the final exhibition… all the ideas we had in our heads coming to life in the real world was an unforgettable moment."
“My takeaway is that different disciplines have different perspectives… The history majors would talk for hours about our scenario, while the creative technology student would just find a solution… The key to succeeding in group work is to utilize these perspectives to create a cohesive end product.”