Instructor: Professor Kristin Arola
Office: Avery 309
Office Hours: Thursday 11-1 or by appointment (I'm happy to meet other times, just email me to work out a time)
Phone: 335.8742
Email: arola at wsu dot edu
Course Description
Increasingly, the English classroom is becoming digitized. While word processors inherently bring a level of digitality to classrooms, more and more instructors are being asked, or choosing, to incorporate a range of technologies into our pedagogies. From powerpoint presentations to websites, from course management tools to wikis, digital technology is woven into the fabric of our pedagogy. We will proceed from the idea that as writing technologies change, our understanding of writing pedagogy also needs to change. This course will explore ways of meaningfully integrating computer technology into writing intensive classrooms while interrogating the material and cultural components of a digital pedagogy.
Course Objectives
- Explore if and how computer technology changes notions of literacy
- Interrogate if, how, and when instructors should incorporate computer technology into the classroom
- Examine the effects of digital pedagogy on teaching and learning, with a particular focus on agency, power, and identity
- Familiarize oneself with the relevant scholarly conversations—primarily by computers and writing scholars—regarding the dynamics of teaching with technology
Required Materials
- Hawisher, Gail E. and Cynthia L. Selfe. Passions, Pedagogies, and 21st Century Technologies. Utah
State University Press, 1999.
- Sidler, Michelle, et al. Computers in the Composition Classroom: A Critical Sourcebook. Bedford/St.
Martin's, 2008.- Wysocki, Anne Frances, et al. Writing New Media: Theory and Applications for Expanding the Teaching
of Composition. Utah State University Press, 2004.- CD-ROM of texts (provided first week of class)
Policies
Students with Disabilities: I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC (Admin Annex Bldg, Rooms 205). Call 509 335 3417 to make an appointment with a disability counselor.
Academic Honesty: All students are expected to act in accordance with the WSU policies on Academic Honesty found in the Student Handbook. These policies include falsification of information, fabrication of information, plagiarism, multiple submissions, and various others. Information about these policies can be found in the Handbook. These policies will be discussed in class and students will be asked to acknowledge that discussion and a basic understanding of the policies. For additional information on the plagiarism, WSU has a great new site at http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/plagiarism/main.html
Attendance: This is a graduate class, thus I don't need to tell you that attendance is expected. But...for the record: I will forgive two missed classes, but beyond that your participation grade will suffer. Additionally, please, if you're sick, do us a favor and stay home.
Late work: Acceptance of late work is unusual and must be discussed in conference with the teacher. Late work will receive a lowered grade if turned in within one week of the original due date. Work turned in later than one week past the original due date will be given an automatic grade of F.
Evaluation:
10% Reading Blog (Pass/Fail)
20% Teaching With Technology Presentation (group work)
10% Book Review
20% Teaching with Technology Philosophy in four Acts (5% per Act)
30% Final Project
10% Participation