syllabus
calendar
blackboard
student.email resources

last.updated 2.26.06

Teaching with Technology

Purpose

To learn how to write in this day and age means that one also has to learn how to write with computer technologies. While it is true that individuals still compose texts–from grocery lists to novels–by hand, writing in most contexts is being mediated by the digitized word. Therefore, as writing teachers, we have to consider the role that computer technologies can play, and should play, in the language arts classroom.

Before Class

• Read Selfe, "Technology and Literacy: A Story about the Perils of not Paying Attention" [College Composition and Communication, 50.3]
• Read Alsup & Bush (148-155)
• Submit Sample Assignment with rationale to the instructor as a hard copy at the beginning of class.

Discussion–Selfe and Alsup & Bush

• Login into Blackboard and go to the following chatroom:

  Chatrooms	Members
  1	Laura, Roger, Heather, Mary
  2	Lisa, Patrick, Natasha, Anthony
  3	Gia, Tyler, Emily, Erin
  4	Peter, Lynetta, Erica, Kevin
  5	Camille, Terry, B-Sol

  For the first twenty minutes of the discussion, you will be asked to address the following questions with your chatroom group members:

  • What is Selfe's argument? Do you agree or disagree with her argument? explain.
  • What computer technologies/programs would you use in your language arts class? how would you use these technologies/programs?
  • As Alsup and Bush ask, how would you evaluate the computer-mediated work that you ask your students do? (Think about a project that you may have them do and how you would evaluate it).
    
    

  For the next twenty minutes the class will virtually reconvene in the Virtual Lecture and address the following question:

  • Thinking about what your group discussed, do you think it is the language arts teachers responsibility to teach their students, if the technology is available, how to use various computer programs to word process, create slide shows, chat, compose web pages, etc.
    
    

  The class will then log out of Blackboard and discuss the following issues face-to-face:

  • We will talk about the experience we has with both Blackboard Collaboration formats and how each might be pedagogically adapted.
  • What were the highlights of the discussion that your group had.

Presentations–Group 1

We will be the audience for teaching demonstrations from Group 1 (Camille, Emily, Patrick).