A community is more than just buildings, bridges, roads and sidewalks. Indeed they are part of the skeleton of a city, town or burg. But the core of community is found in engaging with residents by listening to them and learning about their values, how they relate to their neighbors, and whether they take pride in the place they call home.
You will learn what the framework of a community, such as buildings, bridges, roads, and sidewalks, mean to residents by interacting with them and amplifying their voices, revealing the heart of the community.
A group of Ball State University students used cameras and candid conversations to discuss neighborhoods with several residents of the South Muncie community of Thomas Park/Avondale.
This initiative was part of ‘Los Immersive’. immersive learning Project funded by Ball State. This fall and spring, Ball State University’s Immersive Learning team, consisting primarily of students in the university’s Diversity and Media (Jour 302) and Immersive Photography (News 397) courses, will: Ross Community Center Muncie residents develop a visual ethnography. Visual ethnography uses photography, film, the web, interactive CDs, and virtual reality to capture and share perceptions and social realities within communities.
Ball State University’s Immersive Learning team lent community participants professional cameras and asked them to capture community-embracing imagery on the theme of community revitalization.
community conversation
Students interviewed community participants about photography, and then held focus groups where participants shared their experiences.
“Friends in our community looked at the pictures they took and explained why they took them. And the fact that we were able to show them what meant to them and what meant to them, it’s a really beautiful process to watch.” Dr. Jacqueline Hanoman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Community Center.
One of the most memorable perspectives came from Avondale area resident Cindy McCormick, who shared what her photos say about her community.
“Even though many people have lost their jobs, like when factories shut down, they are still trying to thrive. The economy has affected many homes. They couldn’t move to another location, so they mostly had to stay there.There were a lot of empty houses.The neighborhood was badly affected by the factory closures.One of them was Avon. It was in the Dale area, it affected people to keep their homes, keep their homes, keep their neighborhoods in. Then came the opioid epidemic.
“For me, I’m not going to trade it.” [Avondale] To the rest of Muncie’s community,” she added. “Even though it has a lot of flaws and problems, it feels like home to me, and that’s the best way to describe it. Most of them have modest means, people feel like they care, even though in many other areas they may have a tenuous relationship with their neighbors. Like walking in and knocking on the door, asking you to come down for a meal, or going knocking on the door to see if there’s anything you need. You can hardly find a place like that.”
personal and professional growth
Students greatly benefited from this immersive learning experience and positive interaction with Muncie residents.
“I love the fact that I was able to bond with so many community members. and I really enjoyed watching it,” said Ball State journalism student Madison Goodnight.
Journalism and telecommunications student Emmanuel Flores Cruz also shared what he learned from this immersive learning experience.
“It’s really helped me develop my communication skills. They’re there to tell me their story, and I’m just helping them project it onto the bigger stage.” said Flores Cruz.
Students in this immersive learning project will: Dr. Gabriel Tate, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Communication at the same university. Dr. Tait served as the faculty mentor for this project. All visuals created by a Ball State University student for the Thomas Park/Avondale area His ethnography is available at: Autumn 2021 showcase site for this project.
This is just one of many immersive learning opportunities at Ball State University across a variety of educational disciplines and disciplines that will benefit some or all of the Muncie community and Ball State students.Click here for details Immersive Learning at Ball State University.
