Ubiquitous Thoughts

GeoHistorian Project White Paper

Mark van 't Hooft — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:39:49 +0000

Now that the GeoHistorian Project has been virtually completed, it is time to take stock and see what we accomplished. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the project yielded much more than we had originally anticipated, including a solid curriculum that can be replicated elsewhere, a host of presentations and publications, and above all, a set of almost 30 QR code markers that links historical sites in Kent, Ohio. Last but not least, the project was instrumental in building stronger relationships within the local community.

The details can be found in the GeoHistorian Project white paper, which can be downloaded here.

Dedication of Markers at Davey Elementary School

Mark van 't Hooft — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:23:09 +0000

The 25th and 26th markers were installed at Davey Elementary School today, as part of a special dedication ceremony. Fifth grade students and teachers, parents, the Kent City Schools’ superintendent and assistant superintendent, and several local guests enjoyed watching the digital stories and received project brochures.

The viewing was followed by the installation of the QR code markers for Davey Elementary School and the John Davey House. The markers were installed in the main office window (second window to the right of the main entrance). Here are some pictures of the event:

QR Markers #23 and 24: Kent Block and Opera House

Mark van 't Hooft — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:54:27 +0000

Installations are fast and furious now, as we near the end of the GeoHistorian Project. Two more markers were installed on properties owned by the local Hometown Bank, i.e. the Home Savings Plaza (formerly the Kent Block), and their drive-through location (formerly the Kent Opera House). It’s hard to imagine that these two sites used to be the home of some very large buildings, as the photos below illustrate:

Historical images courtesy of the Kent Historical Society.

QR Marker #22: DePeyster Building

Mark van 't Hooft — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:22:41 +0000

Installed by the Kent City Schools:

GeoHistorian Brochures

Mark van 't Hooft — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:26:54 +0000

To increase publicity for the GeoHistorian Project, we have created two brochures that will be available at many of the sites that have QR code markers as well as other venues in the community. In addition to the printed brochures, we decided to also make them available online:

Brochure Part 1 (pdf, 7.1 MB)
Brochure Part 2 (pdf, 9.2 MB)

Part 1 of the brochure contains the first 10 sites we did in spring 2011, as well as a scavenger hunt; part 2 of the brochure contains the 18 sites we covered during the fall of 2011. The brochures were created as trifolds, so if you decide to print one out, you should print the two pages for each one front to back.

Instead of waiting to get these out until the final markers have been installed we are releasing them now, as the weather is getting nicer and more people are out and about…

RCETJ Vol. 8, No. 1 Has Been Published

Mark van 't Hooft — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:42:16 +0000

The latest issue of RCETJ, Vol. 8, No. 1 has been published. Please visit the RCETJ site to access it as well as all archived issues. This is the last issue I did as the journal’s editor, as I’m leaving RCET at the end of June…

Marker #21 Installed at Stoddard’s

Mark van 't Hooft — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:40:46 +0000

We’re getting closer to the end, with the 21st marker being put in place at Stoddard’s last night. Of course we couldn’t leave until we had had some icecream too

20 Markers Installed, 9 More To Go

Mark van 't Hooft — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:58:36 +0000

Today we installed the 21st QR code marker at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Kent. A few pictures of the installation:

Two More QR Markers Installed

Mark van 't Hooft — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:00:59 +0000

Yesterday, Thomas McNeal and I installed two more QR code markers for the GeoHistorian Project. The former sites of the L.N. Gross Company and the Twin Coach Company now feature their own markers. A few pictures:

Looking for Work

Mark van 't Hooft — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:03:09 +0000

Well, I guess all good things must come to an end at some point. It looks like I may no longer be working for Kent State University after June 30, 2012. Hence, I am currently looking for other employment. I would like to stay in higher education, but am willing to venture into other areas, e.g. back into K-12 or the private sector. I am located in Northeast Ohio, and can’t really move for the next two years, but am willing to commute pretty far or work from home. If you know of any opportunities or would like to get in touch with me regarding a job, please contact me here. Please visit the About Me page for my bio and full resume.