Session 3: Understanding and Using Visual (Non-Print) Texts:
An Introduction to the Jesus Colon Archives

This session will be held at El CENTRO Library and Archives, 3rd floor, Hunter College library; it may also be an on-line/web-based assignment.

Chart any questions participants have about Jesus Colon after reviewing El Centro’s web page. Direct participants to check off questions that are answered during the presentation and to jot down any new questions they have after the presentation.

The archivist will make a power point presentation on the range and types of primary documents stored in Hunter’s collection, including select samples from the Jesus Colon Collection. The archivist will model how historians read photographs and other non-print sources as these are presented.

After the power point presentation, elicit and chart participants’ questions. Organize participants into grade level groups to synthesize visually what they have learned about the archives and to explore ways to use archival documents in age appropriate ways in an author’s study or web page on Jesus Colon. Each group will share their summaries with the class.

Web-Based Assignment
Write an email to the archivist at El Centro expressing appreciation for what you learned. State any questions or interest you now have. Review the following websites and prepare a summary chart to compare/contrast the multimedia technologies used to present information at each site and which you found especially engaging and effective.

1. Annenberg/CPB

2. History Matters. Making Sense of Evidence: Letters and documents
by Steven Stowe (PDF file); making sense of photographs, Frank Goodyear.

3. C-SPAN American Writers II. The 20th Century