eBlack Studies Workshop Evaluations

BLACK STUDIES: WORKSHOP EVALUATIONS - Please write a sentence or two reflecting on the session. (For instance, the presentation, anything that came up in discussion, any remaining questions or commments.) [ID = session and respondent]

overall useful (5 very, 1 not at all)

relevant for Black Studies (5 quite, 1 not at all)

useful on your campus (5 very much so, 1 not at all)

learning experience for you (5 very much so, 1 not at all)

101

Very informative; Innovative area of research of which I am honored to be a part.

102

i am thoroughly excited at the range of interests and expertise in these workshops. i also thought bailey, allen, and alkalimat's presentations were both substantive and inspirational for new, collaborative work.

103

I found the session very informing and inspiring. It helped me understand the overall relationship of black studies and technolgy.

104

too long without questions

105

Great session; very informative; and very inspiring; making me think about not only my scholarly work but also my own archives.

106

The session was very useful. I think that each of the presentations provide models that can be used by folks in Black Studies. In regard to the national picture (of Black Studies), there may be a need to prioritize the projects that can come as a result of the Black Studies & eBlack Studies collaboration. Perhaps, a national Black Studies history project, or video and digital archiving of Black Studies documents, personal papers, etc. But the main point is prioritizing.

107

What happens when the black experience online is downloaded and used for alterior motives by other communities, groups, and institutions that aim to discredit black folks?
Also, we should have had a general introduction of all the participants in the workshop and a little about themselves to start off.

108

I thought the session was very useful in laying out the theretical and conceptual frameworks used to examine eBlack technology. The historical and philosophical overview grounded the application of eBlack Studies. We need to be mindful of gender/sexuality equity when selecting presenters since women and or queer black scholars would bring a different dimension to the conversation.

109

It was a good session that provided a solid foundation for understanding the future of work in eblack

110

Excellent historicization of the field. Great example of eBlack Studies in action. Only weakness was absence of women presenters.

111

---Tremendous overview of the intersections of Black studies and IT

---Great historicization of Black uses of technology from slavery to the contemporary moment

---Would have been a great to have women present for one of the morning offerings

---Profou

112

This session introduced several resports available for contextualizing the digital divide and its relevence to black studies as well as the d7 method and logic of Black history.

113

Prof. Alkalimat's discussion was extremely relevant and the best summary of issues concerning the internet and eBlack studies.

114

The question regarding technology and tenure is important. This is particularly the case because the majority of the technological sophisticated academics are the young or recent PhDs and are most often discouraged by mentors from approaching anything that is not traditional.

115

The session allowed me to step away from the particulars of my own research and to consider my work within a larger field of research and knowledge production and dissemination, which is eblack studies. I appreciated each of the presentations and felt invigorated by the overall accumulation of all these individuals meeting and discussing this topic in the same place.

One question that remains for me is where do we go after we have mastered the technical aspect of digitizing archives? For instance is there room within eblack studies to pose critical questions of the technology and even its limitations to fully represent the black experience? This is a question that comes up in my work and I would love to get other opinions on it.

116

The information shared by presenters this morning further solidified the role I envision for myself. I am sure that I am standing firmly on an Afro-centric thesis which supports and promotes the extensive wealth of our cultural record as justification for taking action and developing a cyber presence.

Working in the planning and organizational stages to meet the challenge of 'democratizing knowledge' through access is well suited to my library science framework and background.

SUM

201

---Great range of presentations about ongoing projects by senior colleagues

---Innovative, but complicated considerations for jr. faculty who are in departments that my not be aware of or hospitable to eBlack studies

---Again, hearing from women and or

202

This session helped me see how I can incoporate e-black studies into my own work. I was able to see the connections.

203

204

Excellent

205

More interaction

206

The session that included Dr. Allan was particularly informative because I am interested in how to physically get the work done.

207

This session featured three people who are using eBlack Studies in their institutions or in their own research.

208

The three presentations hung together well and helped to make concrete the kinds of projects that can be embraced by work in eBlack

209

I enjoyed listening to the breadth of topics this session. I am excited about reading the books that were included in our package, as well as learning more about the adobe document searching. Everything discussed in the presentations this session will come to be quite useful, if not already.

210

Excellent synopsis of current trends and issues in eBlack Stduies theory, research and practice.

211

Reflections one incorporates reflections two.

212

Learning about the projects of the speakers --how they were developed, where they are and where they are going ---created a visual for the synergy that is already taking place around the E-Black studies movement.

SUM

301

Great to hear other person's ideas.

302

good section

303

Should be a clearer distinction of when the presentations will be in the schedule. I wasn't sure when it would happen. Other than that, it was great to know more about various folks research!

304

It is interesting to hear what others in the group are doing. Lots of interest in the digital history piece and archiving. I'm in!

305

Great sharing time. Learning about others' research paths creates opportunity for collaboration.

306

Hearing about other individual's work, although not largely relevant to what I do, was interesting. I can see the importance of their areas of study.

307

It was very informative learning about te work of other people and considering the possible collaborations.

308

I found this session very helpful. It was good to see the diversity of projects and research interest. I hope to extend these conversations.

309

The individual presentations are the most important because I an opporutunity to present my work and learn in more detail what other workshop participants are working on. I'm interested in talking in more detail with others involved in similar work as my own.

I felt a little rushed so perhaps 5-10 minutes/person would be better than 5 minutes.

310

During this session, we went aroung the room talking briefly about what we do at our institutions. People brought in powerpoint presentations, examples of their work or just spoke to us. I think this would have been more useful if we had completed online introductions before meeting.

311

Hearing the work being done by graduate students is inspiring. There are several specific instances in which their work will contribute to scholarship in general and especially to the goals of eBlack. Exciting prospects: Ransome of funeral programs, etc. And there are clear breakthroughs in the social responsibility goal of Black Studies (e.g., the ecological concerns of

312

Very inspiring. The various ways in which technology is being used by the participants inspires new ideas. Still have a question about quality of material being introduced on the web and how we teach students to evaluate that data.

313

This session makes clear the need for a series of publications -- a critical anthology, etc. -- that would address the innovative work of contemporary scholars in the field. Particularly emerging voices in this critical field of study.

314

AMAZING!!!! Pioneering research and activity centered around digital technology as well as academic and social advancement. Very helpful and inspiring.

315

Just extremely informative to learn about the backgrounds of participants and why they are interested in the workshop.

316

very good projects, much potential for future collaboration...wide range of interests and contributions. having each of the participants present created an atmosphere of everyone feeling ownership in the workshops instead of feeling they were just coming to consume information. i think we should invite many of these people to our campuses to give exposure to their work and extend the broader network

317

This session was interesting. It probably could have been better if we would have had set guidelines for our presentations. Nevertheless, it allowed us to learn the varied interest of the participants.

318

---Good overview of jr. colleagues projects

---Great way to get sense of the amazing innovations, pedagogies, projects to come

---We were told to prepare a five minute presentation; had no idea we were to bring materials in of a current project; would h

SUM

401

Wonderful ideas from the participants and has invigorated me, particularly information regarding course management software.

402

Great sharing; Interesting projects; Erudite sisters and brothers.

403

The individual presentations were very useful learning about other's work.

404

in this session we continued to share our research interests and reasons for coming to the session. again, i think it would have been better if we had been able to upload our introductions in order to avoid technical difficulties.

405

great

406

407

---Again, profoundly interesting to hear the nature of the work

---Should have had Q & A after 1st half of presentation; just needed more discussion of research and questions

---Fantastic overview of projects, but would have like to discuss the topics

408

Phenomenal session. Lots of wonderful things happening.

409

Very helpful. Great for networking!

SUM

501

Learning the the H-Afro-Am listserv is searchable and archived is wonderful. Very informative session.

502

I thought the session was useful in how we can utilize the existing public democratic sites for both knowledge production and dissemination.

503

learned something new

504

very intersting disussion of the democratic nature of wiki

505

This, I think, to be one of the most useful sessions thus far. It did a great job of integrating ideas and stressing the importance of personal contribution and collective knowledge. 'If we don't give ourselves props, who will?'... excellent point. Great sessions for demonstrating that the information we may need can always be found on the web, so long as we are looking. Also, that we have a personal responsibility to contribute. Great session and excersise.

506

Glad to know about N-Net

507

Powerful illustration of important tools in Africana, especially H-Afro Am and Wiki. Also, good insight and argument for these tools to be taken up by the Africana community, especially graduate students, as a contribution to consolidation of the field AND support in the development of individual career and academic interests.

508

During this session we discussed the importance of sharing our knowledge of the discipline with others in the field and in more traditional disciplines. Several good points were raised about taking upon ourselves the responsibility of filling the silences, correcting the errors and challenging the lies told about african americans and african american studies.

509

The issue of Af Am contributions to wikipedia begs an answer to the question of incorporating this resource into research methods courses in Black Studies. This is particularly important since most students don't take the course until their junior or senior year.

510

Looking critically at the potential role of Wiki as a tool to advance Black Studies as a field is worthy of further discussion.

511

512

Though I was already familiar with H-Afro Am and on the list I thought the exposure and discussion about it was very important for others.

I have been thinking a lot about beginning to add and to edit entries on Wikipedia. Strong expertise is imperative. Maybe now I will.

513

useful to reacclimate myself to h net!

514

Very helpful. Has important implications for Africana Studies Research Methods Courses and related curriculum for students of the discipline.

515

Too much talking and not enough coherency that will formulate an agenda.
Too much talking and not enough concrete action that would lead to an agenda.

SUM

601

This was a great workshop session. It provided a practical hands-on exercise that could have otherwise been taken for granted, but once we did it as a group I discovered new ways to use hnet lists. It would have been nice to also have us collectively revise or start a wiki entry.

602

good discussion

603

Enjoyed the presentation; Looking forward to collaborative opportunities

604

good discussion and debate about the possibilities of eBlack studies anthology and archive creation on various conferences.

605

This workshop was very important. We really need to map out an agenda for recording the history of Black Studies across the country.

606

in this session we discussed ways to work cooperatively within the discipline to increase the amount of data being collected and analyzed in the field.

607

608

Perhaps, the Black Studies National Archive initiative

should be discussed as a NCBS initiative. Including the major stakeholders might facilitate the process.

609

no comment

610

It's very important for us to develop further CRN and put together this national project on the history of Black Studies Programs across the country.

611

This session was great in that it allowed all of the participants to contribute and be heard. A lot of different voices, opinions, and ideas were heard and it makes what we are doing here that much more efficient and important.

612

Good session. I am looking forward to creating an anthology.

One comment: Documenting our history is crucial. The essays are a good idea and THANK YOU your interest in bringing us into the mix.

Oh and I was disturbed by the focus on Obama and turned off by the idea of making our project more 'sexy'

613

Stimulating. CRN is great idea. Perhaps applications for funding of undergraduate research could support this project.

614

The CRN is a great approach and I think a lot of clarity came from the discussion as to how we can do it.

SUM

701

too long

702

Very informative session.

703

Excellent session. Very informative and great to see all the different technologies being used across different tasks and universities. I would like to learn more about these.

704

705

List of software and their various uses is extremely valuable. Storage/housing of information is a very important issue that needs addressing.

706

This discussion of tools that can be used and are being used was helpful.

707

This session on the available tools for digital teaching and research was very helpful. I found that I was able to generate a substantive list of tools that I could use begin using in various capacities. This will help me to transition from thinking about doing something and actually doing it.

708

during this session we talked about the tools we use to instruct students and gather and organize information in our research. This was an impromptu session and I think we would have learned more if we had focused on one or two tools as examples. The list we created was very helpful and a good starting point for learning.

709

it was a good way to bring in all of the participants in some way to get some practical ways to use new technologies.

710

I thought the session was very useful as a brain storming session. I liked the collaborative process. In the future more examples that illustrate the application of the software is needed.

711

Great session, although at times it was difficult to concentrate on the content being delivered, it was engaging and energetic.

712

Awesome

713

This session was a great brainstorming session, and I appreciated hearing the different perspectives on how we can get projects on black studies accomplished. I think it would also be useful to find a way to track Africana or African American social or residential centers on campuses that may not have an established Black Studies program. In this way some of the knowledge networks, student thesis, and other things that may help students outside of a formalized program.

SUM

801

I thought the session was very useful especially allowing for an open discussion for issues, concerns, etc. This is more crucial than the work-- ensuring that all participants feel safe to express their concerns with the working group.

802

One of the best sessions of the workshop.

803

This was an important session because it gave everyone an opportunity to raise their questions and concerns, to report from small work group sessions, and to propose come language that will be considered for the continuations process.

804

This was a much needed section as many people had comments, questions, and feedback that they were unable to communicate in earlier sessions. It is always important to hear the voice of the participants (though it did get a bit chaotic toward the end).

805

This was an organizing session, which is important for the goals of the workshop to be realized. Am looking forward to seeing the notes for this session.

806

This was a promising session. It would have been useful to have a more q&a as well as the presentations. I would like to continue these in some online format, but I also think that finding face to face ways to interact in the future will be useful.

807

good

SUM

901

very very useful and working towards getting things done. thanks so much for all the hard work and energies!

1001

GRAND TOTAL

MEANS

92.8

95.7

95.5

GRAND MEAN

94.5