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Cahokia

February 9, 2026 / gokai

The Cahokia AR app is a creative and engaging tool that helps visitors better understand what the Cahokia Mounds site once looked like. Because much of the ancient city is no longer visible above ground, the augmented reality experience fills in those gaps by overlaying 3D reconstructions of buildings, temples, and daily life onto the present-day landscape. This makes the site more accessible intellectually, especially for visitors who struggle to imagine history based only on signs or earth mounds. Visual learners, students, families, and tech-savvy users benefit the most, as the app turns abstract archaeological information into something immersive and memorable.

In terms of accessibility, the app enhances access for people who are physically able to walk the site and who own compatible smartphones or tablets. Audio and visual elements support multiple learning styles and can deepen engagement compared to traditional museum labels. However, the app also excludes some groups. The cost of the app and reliance on personal devices create economic and technological barriers. Visitors without smartphones, those uncomfortable with digital tools, or people with certain disabilities may find the experience difficult or inaccessible. While device rentals exist, they are limited.

Representation is another mixed area. The app does a strong job presenting archaeological reconstructions, but it could be improved by more clearly centering Indigenous voices and descendant perspectives. Including Native community narratives would strengthen cultural representation and remind users that Cahokia is not just ancient history, but part of a living heritage.

Cahokia

February 9, 2026 / naortiz

The Cahokia AR tour app is a really amazing and detailed piece of technology that gives quite the experience. It offers a 3D visual reconstruction of the temple that used to stand on Monks Mounds. The walk of the Grand Plaza trail, as well as the other structures such as The Stockade wall, Mississippi dwellings, and other various ceremonial sacred spaces. What is really creative about this is the detailed and color use of the representation spaces that are over 1000 years old. While expanding your historical knowledge of an ancient cultural site.

The accessibility perspective of this app is more for visitors who have good ability of visual and audio interpretation. And an audience who can physically touch on buttons and other features on the app. Though the app also poses some accessibility exclusions. The main one being it is only an app to be used on site at the Cahokia Mounds. Anywhere else would be unavailable and limits those who cannot afford to travel for whatever reason. Including those with impairments of mobility issues.

Overall, I feel as the app is a great tool to get a somewhat similar real-world experience of the Monk Mounds and more. The attention to detail is certainly significant, but it definitely lacks inclusion to many people. As there are some pretty set requirements to be able to experience something like this.

Cahokia

February 7, 2026 / jandeap

The Cahokia AR tour app is an app where you can use technology to emulate ancient America at Cahokia mounds. One thing the app does well is use 3d models to show what history looked like back then, as if you were there looking around yourself. It also does well at giving out information about these structures so that you can learn as you explore ancient monuments. It enhances access for an audience that suffers no visual impairments or no physical touch impairments which unfortunately does alienate those that cannot see as well.

It also requires the user to touch on certain icons so that they can get added information about all the different artifacts and structures shown on the tour. This alienates those that cannot physically reach out and touch the screen themselves. I think the app has somewhat of the right idea, but it seems very clear to me it was made without thinking about accessibility at all. It is a shame that is the case as the app is clear for those that want to expand their knowledge, and yet it restricts full access to those lacking certain senses. The last thing I will cover is that they encourage users to have headphones when using the app, which once again shows that you may need to be able to hear to experience it fully.

Interest Statement

February 5, 2026 / ymohame

I’m really looking forward to our classes next week on AI Imaginaries and AI Technologies. It’s going to be interesting to see the gap between the “sci-fi” version of AI and how the tech actually works in the real world.

The Monday session on AI fiction is definitely the highlight for me. I love how movies and books shape our ideas about the future—sometimes making us more scared or excited than we probably should be. I’m curious to see if the “fictional” problems it shows are anything like the real technical challenges we’ll talk about on Wednesday.

I want to use this semester to figure out if our worries about AI come from the actual technology or if we’ve just watched too many movies! It’ll be fun to see where the line between imagination and reality really sits.

Interest Statement

February 5, 2026 / lenance

While looking at the syllabus, what interests me the most is the Artificial Intelligence section. I found it interesting because in most classes AI is extremely prohibited while in this class it is a bit more flexible to use as long as it is acknowledged and communicated to the professor. I also found it interesting how apparent it is that we learn both the benefits and drawbacks that using AI can cause when using it on our projects. As the semester goes on, I would like to learn more about how digital humanities is interpreted and used in our everyday lives, along with the effects it can have on the planet. Another aspect of the class I am looking forward to learning is how to use the website dedicated to our class assignments and readings. I am also looking forward to being more present and engaging in class discussions as it is written on the syllabus.

Lab 2

February 5, 2026 / ymohame

Hello! My name is Yosef. I am interested in talking about how digital humanities encourage us to think critically about the technologies we us in our daily lives and how we are able to incorporate that in a world where AI is becoming prevalent and useful.

Accessibility

February 5, 2026 / lenance

I chose the SIUE parking page to run through the WAVE checker. An issue that cropped up on the page first was an empty link. Students and professors are most likely to need the content on this page, and an empty link can be confusing. This is important because, with a link that contains no text, the function of the link will not be presented to those viewing the page making it confusing. There are a couple solutions to this problem. One option could be to remove the empty link as to not confuse people. Another option could be to provide text within the link that describes the function or target of the link, so people have a better understanding making it a smoother page for students and professors.

The Lay of the Land

February 3, 2026 / pbeltra

I used the SIUE interactive map. There are two errors that appear which is an empty button an empty link. Besides that, there are several alerts. This page is probably most used by new students coming to SIUE to find where to park or how to navigate the campus. The people who would be most impacted would be the blind or people who can’t interact with the map. The ways it can be improved would be a text-to-speech whenever you hover over an icon or make the map top down. The top down would help me a bit more when I first started my time here. Also a better guide on rooms and helping you figure out where your classes are would be helpful as well.

Cahokia

February 3, 2026 / poluseg

The app provides a tour into the Cahokia; it allows people to experience the world that would have been. One thing the app does well is navigation, using map and cues. Also, the use of 3D models to bring the past into reality is fascinating, it makes the tourist have a sense of being present at different scenes. It enhances access and accessibility to all interested in exploring the Cahokia and learning about the past. It allows access to those unable to visit the historic site an opportunity to view from their homes using the app.

Although, this app is intended for all who are interested in the Cahokia history and past experience, it excludes certain groups of people.

First, it excludes those with older devices, as stated in the website that “older devices may not be compatible”. This means those with older devices who are interested in experiencing the Cahokia past will not have access to the app.

Secondly, it does not cater for those with hearing impairment. The video which explains the app does not provide caption/transcription for those who may have hearing impairment. This accessibility feature should be considered as those with such disability may want to learn about the site before purchasing the app.

Also, links (like Facebook, twitter and snapchat icons) are too small for those with vision impairment to see at first glance. The sub-headings on the site also use low contrasting colors which maybe difficult for those with vision impairment.

Cahokia VR – William Hernandez

February 3, 2026 / whernan

The Cahokia VR App allows users to view the Cahokia Mounds as they once used to look like when they were occupied by the Mississippians. The app does really well at including 3D models to really make you feel like you’re there a thousand years ago. It allows those that are able to make the trip to the mounds an ability to experience this ancient site like never before. Unfortunately, it does exclude audiences with mobility disabilities. According to the video, you need to scale certain mounds and scan the code on the signs in order to view Augmented Reality. The mounds either don’t have any means of getting up or they just have stairs which restricts many to just viewing from the ground level.