Now as our project is drawing to an end, as a group we have begun to think back on the past 6 weeks, reflecting on our time together. As in any project we have stumbled on some problems, such as how the environment may impact on the use of our audio guide and brochure, and issues with the annoying white border making us rethink our brochure layout. However, we have become a strong team, working together, listening to one another, playing to each other’s strengths, and the overall outcome of the project is everything we could have asked for. Despite the long hours and days, we have enjoyed every single moment and this project has certainly taught us the vital skills of team work and collaboration. The skills we have gained and the friendships we have made will certainly be carried along by us for the rest of our lives.
The group was asked a few questions on their overall thoughts and feelings on the module, and we wanted to share this with all of you who have been following our project.
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What do you consider to be the main learning outcomes of the module? What will you take away with you after completion of the module?
Ashley- “I believe the main outcomes of the module are to introduce us to the practical side of heritage practice, mostly by throwing us into the deep end, not unlike the excavation module. This has given us hands-on experience and at the same time, has given us some theoretical background into why we do what we do and how we can grow in it.”
Hermione- “This module has been so fast-paced, each week being completely different. I’ve developed my creative skills in a team setting, which is something I haven’t done before. Also, learning about the world of heritage in so many ways has been so fascinating, such as digital heritage and heritage presentations! I’m so pleased to say how much my time management skills have improved in such a short time!”
Eliza- “In my opinion this module was created in order to increase our knowledge about heritage. During the different weeks we had opportunity to take part in variety of tasks. We have learned how to use programs such as Audacity and Photoshop. However, for me as a person this module helped to develop my confidence and improve quality of my English. Writing the posts for our blog has reminded me how much writing gives me a pleasure and maybe in the future I would like to create my own blog. But the most important advantage is fact that I got the opportunity to meet great people. Those who have a lot of background with heritage but also those who just like me are at the beginning of journey with heritage. Now when my first year at the University is almost at the end, I would like to say that this module was the most interesting and engaging from the all which I had.”
Tongtong- “This heritage module was designed very differently from the excavation module, which is focused on the process of post-excavation and how to present the archaeological results. Therefore, according to its target, I was taught a lot in terms of media representation, such as photoshop, audio recording and editing, creating blogs and so on. Apart from the academic skills, I also got the chance to take part in the project of Breary Banks, which is very useful and practical, and it has shown me how involved media and archaeology are as subjects, and how they can be combined to present an exhibition.”
Emmeline – “At first I would say that the main learning outcomes were expanding my digital skills with audacity and photoshop, as well as gaining experience with wordpress, learning how to plan and curate an exhibition and increase my skills for the professional world. I’ve also increased my archaeology skills just by being present at the excavation and understanding the stories behind the facts. Indeed this module means that I could apply for the internship at TFTV over the summer because I have the skills that I can use to develop. But when I start to think about it, I have learnt a whole lot more. I’ve learnt how to work successfully as part of a team and adapting myself to the demands of the outside world. I’ve furthered myself as a person by listening to the feedback of others throughout the course and taking action on those points. Yes, I’ve acquired more skills that I can put on my CV, yes I’ve been part of successful project to create an audio guide, but I think that what I will take away from the module are the friends I’ve made along the way and how I, as a person, have changed for the better.”
Jess- “At the start of the module I certainly felt I had no skills to bring to the project, however over the past weeks I feel I have flourished, developing new skills every single day of the project and I have learnt the importance of positivity, and to always encourage others in the group to insert their skills into tasks. I feel that although the main obvious outcome of the project was to learn about the heritage sector and how heritage works in the public sphere, I also feel that the most important outcome was personal development in all senses, in terms of confidence, team work, all sorts of skills like photography, organisation, passion for our work, photoshop, audio editing and blog writing. Overall we will always remember this experience.”
Steve- “This model has changed the way I look at promotion of Heritage to a wider audience.”
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Do you think the field school (heritage project) has had an impact on how you understand heritage? How?
Ashley- “The field school has absolutely had an impact – I didn’t have a real concept on what heritage entailed, other than ‘the bridge between archaeologists and the public’ but this has shown me not only the bigger picture of heritage but the details that go into everything. There’s so many different facets to it, and no matter what you’re good at or interested in, there’s always a million other things to learn and try and grow in.”
Hermione- “The 2016 Heritage field school has completely transformed my view of heritage. I knew very little to begin with. However, now after a matter of weeks, presenting to Leeds Museums and Galleries, working with marketing and IT professionals, I feel confident in my newfound knowledge. I could certainly get to work with confidence, on another heritage project!”
Eliza- “The field school had a huge impact on my learning. Before this module, my knowledge about heritage was really small. Now after a few weeks of hard but really enjoyable work I know more about heritage. I know that heritage is not just like Ashley said ‘the bridge between archaeologists and the public’ but is something more. This sector offers plenty of ways in which we young students may develop in the future. I also realised that this field is still developing and even if I spent my whole life on expanding knowledge about heritage I would never know everything.”
Tongtong- “The heritage fieldschool contributed the way I understand this subject, which I barely knew anything about at the beginning of the module; and now I have many thoughts about it. I realised how important social media is in terms of representing heritage, and it is not only about presentation, but there is something deeper that a heritage presentation also needs to express the emotion. And by doing this, a comprehensive range of skills across different subjects, such as archaeology, media, and history will be used.”
Emmeline- “The field school has cemented how I understand heritage, especially how you get the public/audience to get involved with the history and how there is more to heritage than just facts. I like the fact that as a heritage practitioner I have the ability to understand the stories behind the facts and I think that that is what brings facts to life.”
Jess- “The field school has taught me that there is much more to heritage than meets the eye. There is lots of hard work and time that goes into heritage projects. However, I have found that it is such a rewarding sphere of work. Meeting and working with different types of people such as curators in Leeds Museums and Galleries and people from the Nidderdale project has allowed me to gain the all important practical experience of the world of heritage. This has been an unique opportunity that I wouldn’t trade for the world, and made allowed me to develop and flourish as a heritage student.”
Steve– “Before this model I thought of heritage as the preservation of buildings. I have now learnt that heritage covers a wide range of subjects!”
we chose one word that we felt described our experience of the module
INTENSE!!
Enlightening
Engaging
Practical
Mind Blowing
Fulfilling!
hectic
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