Top photo citation: USA desktop wallpaper (62+ pictures). (n.d.). WallpaperSet. Retrieved December 10, 2025, fromhttps://wallpaperset.com/usa-desktop-wallpaper
Which suggested task did I choose?
Mapping was actually not my first choice when it came to deciding which module from the methodology. In total there were 4 different choices that I could have chosen: mapping, networks, text analysis, and cultural analytics. I originally wanted to do the network module because I wanted to talk about my favorite TV show that I am watching, which is Legacies; however, after getting help from my professor, I was still not understanding the objective of networks.
This was when I started looking at the mapping module. I was never good at road maps, so I was worried about this assignment, but it was the only one I was able to understand a good amount to complete the requirements. On the DGST 101 website under mapping, there were four different options that I could choose from, which were:
- Review two or more of the examples linked in the bibliography below, and write a blog post comparing their different approaches, different kinds of data, and different arguments. (Modules, n.d.)1
- Create a map of significant locations in a novel, short story, or TV series that you know. Use the “Mapping Mrs. Dalloway” assignment as a model. (Modules, n.d.)2
- Create a map with a timeline component showing how a specific area has changed over time. Consider the Green Street Project and/or Perspectives on the Haram for inspiration. (Modules, n.d.)3
- Use a map to show differences or preferences by geographic area or state. (Modules, n.d.)4
I chose the third bullet point because I instantly thought of Washington, DC, which would be a great example since it has been around for a very long time. There was enough history that I could find with pictures and websites that I could create something really awesome.
Which readings and resources did I use?
I used a lot of different readings and resources in order to create my timeline. I first started with looking at what websites were on the module page; since they were on the module page, I hoped they would have a lot of information. Unfortunately, there were only three I completely understood what they were trying to teach me. Down below are the three that I used from the module page:
- GIS for Language and Literary Study by William A. Kretzschmar Jr.- This work shows that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helps inform the framework for spatially modeling, analyzing, and visualizing linguistic and literary data. (Kretzchmar, 2013)5
- Finding Places in Text with the World Historical Gazetteer by Susan Grunewald and Andrew Janco. – This shows us how to find places’ names and put them on a map using the World Historical Gazetteer. (Grunewald & Janco, 2022)6
- Greene Street Project: A Long History of a Short Block, a project from the Development Research Institute. – This project shows how one block of Manhattan has changed over the years due to micro-level changes. (Greene Street, n. d.)7
These three readings helped my understanding of what mapping is, which is not just road maps but a way to show places, patterns, and changes across space. Beyond these readings, I did get help from the DKC in order to understand conceptually what I was supposed to create. They pointed me in the direction of using StoryMap, which is a template that you can add photos, captions, and citations to. The choice of using StoryMap was a great tool to easily navigate once I watched the video on how to use it. StoryMap was able to let me express and explore the history of Washington, DC, and show it to the public using my website.
Process
After I went to the DKC, I watched the video on how to use StoryMap. The video explained it perfectly and was easy to understand. The link is: https://youtu.be/aMQT28Vqn6I.
Then it was off to find pictures that I wanted to use, for which I have created a table below for easy reference:
| Source | Date | Type | Link / Retrieval Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Capitol Building and Christmas Tree Reflected in Pool at Twilight | n.d. | Photograph | wallpapercave.com |
| O’Leary, B. – Austin Spriggs’ Row House | Apr 26, 2006 | Photograph | Getty Images |
| Kinfolk Dispensary – Washington (Yelp) | n.d. | Business Listing | Yelp |
| Civil War Washington: Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania) | Oct 26, 2011 | Blog Post | Blogspot |
| E Street Side of the Restored Old Naval Hospital | n.d. | Photograph | Reed Brothers Dodge History |
| Old Post Office, 1910 (Lewis Reed) | 1910 | Photograph | Reed Brothers Dodge History |
After choosing the photos that I wanted, then I needed to know where on the map I had to place them. I used Google to find the coordinates in order to put them on my story map. The only challenge that I encountered was finding out what the Row House is today. When looking closely at Google Street View, which was taken in October of 2025, I figured out what the name was, and then I looked up the address, which gave me Kinfolk Dispensary.
Teaching materials
The format that I continued to use was my website; since this is a digital class, I wanted to create a new post on what I created. For the audience engagement, I wanted something that was interactive, which is why I chose the story map because you are able to click on the pins, and it will take you to the photos, or you can click on the arrows, and it will take you in order of the timeline. I loved how there were different ways you were able to see the information in the timeline.
Audience engagement and clarity
My website is easy to navigate, so no one will get lost, and I have a lot of my resources hyperlinked, so if my audience is interested in what tools I used, then they can click the link, taking them to the website. I use simple and direct language when speaking and posting on my website to avoid confusion, making it an easy read. I also used bullet points and subheadings to find information quickly and efficiently on the post.
Teaching strategies
I decided to not change my teaching strategies from my last module because I want to keep Intro Into Digital Studies a part of my website. I love that I have built a digital footprint in order to share with the world what I have made. Showing my family always puts a smile on their face as well as mine. I live far away from my family, so for me to show them what I have been working on is a great feeling that warms my heart.
Future Projects
My professor has given us our final project assignment, and I am excited for it because I already have an idea of what I am going to do. My professor and I have been talking about a revision of my website, and I think it is a great idea! I have not updated my website since the beginning of this semester. I have added so many posts that I would love to take the time to reorganize the structure, layout, and maybe add different photos as well. I know that I need to check some of my spelling on some of my posts too.
Connections to other classes and careers
With what I have learned from the mapping module, I can map mental health patterns like the rates of depression across different neighborhoods to visualize the difference. I could use mapping to connect psychological outcomes by looking at community risk factors. An example would be crime rates. Right now, I am in a statistics course for psychology, and I would use mapping as a form of data visualization, which can help spot patterns and understand correlations.
Strongest aspect
A line from my presentation that captures my thinking would be:
“Society has slowly transformed paper maps into digital maps that are able to show more than roads and landmarks.” (Hard, 2025).8
This shows that my understanding of mapping has changed. I thought that paper maps were a tool that was used for directions, but now, through the module, I learned that a digital map could show data, behavior, history, emotions, patterns, and relationships. I made sure to include “society” because with technology changing our way of life, it also affects the way we view and organize data. Society has created new inventions and creations that build off one another. This reveals how my learning has grown, especially knowing maps can do more than just get me from point A to B.
- Digital Studies 101. (n.d.). Mapping. https://new.dgst101.net/modules/mapping ↩︎
- Digital Studies 101, Mapping. ↩︎
- Digital Studies 101, Mapping. ↩︎
- Digital Studies 101, Mapping. ↩︎
- 2013 William A. Kretzschmar, jr., “GIS for language and literary study” | literary studies in the Digital age. (n.d.). https://dlsanthology.mla.hcommons.org/gis-for-language-and-literary-study/ ↩︎
- Grunewald, S., & Janco, A. (2022, February 11). Finding places in text with the World Historical Gazetteer. Programming Historian. https://programminghistorian.org/en/lessons/finding-places-world-historical-gazetteer ↩︎
- “Greene Street.” Accessed November 25, 2025. https://www.greenestreet.nyc/. ↩︎
- Hard, K. (2025, November 19. Methodology-Mapping. Intro into Digital Studies. https://dgst101.kelbellz.com/?p=144 ↩︎
