This session idea is one that I’ve proposed during THATCamp Austin 2009 and THATCamp Texas 2011, so if it seems semi-familiar, that’s why. In any event, I propose holding a session where we can discuss the challenges of getting students to learn how to approach and engage with technology in a risk-taking and creative manner. I’ve noticed more and more over the past few years that there’s a large disconnect between the popular cultural discourse of “millenials” and their actual tech-savviness, and the reality of how many students are fairly tech-phobic when it comes to new programs, resources, or unfamiliar platforms.
I’d like to discuss what pedagogical approaches, assignment structures, particular resources, or other strategies people have for getting students to become more willing to embrace risk and willingly challenge themselves to learn and master resources with which they are unfamiliar. Moreover, I think it’d be interesting, given the likely academia-heavy audience, to learn what colleges and universities expect of entering students in terms of tech-knowledge. Gaining a sense of these expectations I hope will allow the conversation to address the issue of how secondary school teachers (of which I am one) can help students become more confident and resourceful in navigating and employing the ever-changing landscape of technology.
#1 by Laurel Stvan on March 5, 2012 - 2:07 pm
I am really interested in this idea, Nate. I was thinking of a similar topic. In January I put together a panel on tech tools for linguistics students at the Linguistics Society of American meeting. I’m currently seeking ways to encourage more use of relevant tech tools by grad students: Especially, what do current gatherers of language materials need to know how to do? What tools are being taught in other programs? In particular, I’m curious if such approaches tend to be put into existing courses or set up as separate informatics type classes or workshops. Aside from social networking, what tools do we need students to get familiar with? Linguists sometimes use tools specifically for dealing with text files, including concordancing tools like AntConc, database tools like Flex, and some UNIX scripting, maybe in perl or R. What others are key in your discipline?
#2 by jbailey on March 5, 2012 - 3:57 pm
I know that some of our librarians here at UT Arlington do course-related instruction for students on basic video editing so that they can make their own videos as a group or individual assignment. In fact, our librarian for the College of Education will be doing this workshop at THATCamp if you want to get a feel for it.
#3 by Richard Leslie on March 6, 2012 - 9:58 am
I would be extremely interested in exploring pedagogy for DH. I’m trying to put together a Faculty Summer Institute on campus on using DH in courses and can use all the tips/help I can get. Our science department is wanting to really jump into doing undergrad research projects and perhaps an in-house journal.
#4 by Sage on March 6, 2012 - 4:48 pm
I don’t have much to add, except to say that this sounds fun!
#5 by Deborah Kilgore on March 7, 2012 - 11:48 am
I’m interested in this also. Students in 100% online classes do seem to fall into 2 groups-those who will explore and use technology even asking for more and the small group that are more of a luddite than I can be.