Omeka Projects

What is Omeka?

Omeka is a web publishing platform similar to WordPress, but is uniquely positioned for creating and sharing multimedia digital collections or exhibits. You have an option to create a stand-alone site (Omeka Classic) or tap into a shared pool of resources (Omeka S) from the Library’s digital collections to curate, add, and contextualize online exhibits. Your site can have images, text, maps, timelines, carousels, blog posts, and more.

Possible Learning Goals and Outcomes

Curate a digital exhibit with cultural heritage materials
Research and use primary sources and archival resources
Utilize open access and sharing of knowledge / intellectual property
Learn basic web development (HTML, CSS)
Learn metadata standards and use
Image description
Conduct UX design / web design / basic design principles that are accessible
Employ file management for sustainable collaborative work
Utilize open source software
Create digital scholarship/Writing for the web / questions of audience and community

Examples

Queer, Black, Intersectional Davidson: An Archival Project (Omeka S)

ENG 422: Creating Narratives Project (Omeka S)

Black Liberation 1969 Archive (Omeka Classic)

Cleveland Historical (Omeka Classic)

Take Back the Archive (Omeka Classic)

Possible Assignment

Course of 10-20 students create a fully open and accessible digital exhibit site which includes:

Introduction/welcome/about page(s)
- Audience and goals of site
Exhibit pages (3-4)
- Timeline JS
- contextualized item sets (using archival and primary sources with appropriate media and metadata)
- open linked data
- authorship framework
Visual Identity that includes a carefully chosen theme, colors, and logo.

Recommended Sessions

Session Example 1 (3 sessions)
- Session 1: Intro to Metadata, overview of Omeka S, and Timeline JS introduction
- Session 2: Workshop adding items and media in Omeka S, building pages, and embedding/adding timelines.
- Session 3: Accessibility and UI of Omeka S pages

Appearance, Navigation and Accessibility

Your website must demonstrate clear navigation and connection between the content and learning outcomes. Your website must be accessible for its intended audience and show a demonstrated use of font, color, theme selection that align with overall presentation.

Demonstration of Learning

Your website must include appropriate materials and artifacts that support the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the course.

Reflection on Learning

Your website must include documentation of reflection. You should show an ability to build upon knowledge and improve performance by incorporating peer and instructor feedback and recognizing knowledge gained by concrete experience through reflection and application. You should describe how you utilized reflection (i.e. that you thought deeply about what produced your learning and what actions generated that growth).

Presentation

Your website should include all required course-directed elements, address all four assessment criteria, and its presentation must be clear and well-organized.

Recommended Assessment

Each website will be assessed based on the following four assessment criteria: