For THATCamp New Orleans, I propose a problem-solving session on developing technological skills-training modules that could be inserted in a variety of humanities courses. Typical semester-length classes devoted to learning software applications quickly become outdated, and campus tutorials or workshops are taught in isolation from course content, critical thinking, and creative applications.

We could identify and share relatively easy-to-learn, free, open-source software tools such as ArcGIS mapmaking, Sophie multimedia books, or Korsakow nonlinear video editing. Learning modules would be developed that were largely independent of specific course content or technological tool: a creative problem-solving assignment, question, or provocation that could be adapted to a variety of humanities disciplines, subjects, and digital tools. (E.g., “Use this technological tool to express multiple sides of an ethical dilemma in this field.”)

The goal would to be to develop short, one- or two-class digital technology modules that could be inserted into a syllabus, providing students with technological tools training from a distinctively humanities perspective, integrated with course content, and without laborious specialized training for the instructor.