Comments for digital complements +

Comment on technology + identity by Christin

Christin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:27:07 +0000

A good anecdote to go along with what you’re saying about the face-to-face interactions: I have had several students who actually admitted to me that they were afraid at the beginning of a class to come ask me questions (it wasn’t acceptable in the classes in their major, apparently – this changed by the end of class but back to the point). Most of these students DID feel comfortable asking me questions via email, however, and it was through that email interaction that I assured them that I wasn’t some monster that was going to attack them and so they eventually did come see me during office hours. But I had to build trust via online mediums before that could happen.

Comment on technology + identity by Jon

Jon — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:22:52 +0000

Yeah, I’m right there with you on the social networking points. I can say that I have seen practically every single one of my students using facebook at some point during class. I don’t really care, but I like to catch them off guard with quick 180 degree spins and whatnot. Anyway, since we are in a writing class and these students are actively using this particular interface, then it makes sense to do some integration of that interface into classtime rather than doing all of our writing in a word processor. Haven’t tried this type of assignment yet, but I think it could be interesting.

Comment on technology + identity by Karla

Karla — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:59:51 +0000

I agree with you that some students may simply feel more comfortable asking a professor questions online versus face to face. I know that when I was an undergraduate it was awkward sometimes to sit across from a professor who was reading my paper. We would sit in silence as he read my work and I would try to examine his facial expressions to get an idea of what he was thinking. Whenever I teach I tell my students that they are more than welcome to speak with me face to face, but that if they are uncomfortable doing so that they do have the option of e-mailing me. I even joke about writing an anonymous note and leaving it on the desk for me to read when I come into class. No one has taken me up on that yet, but I certainly have had students who clearly preferred to e-mail their questions/concerns than to address them in person.

Comment on role of new media + writing + box by dougist.com » Blog Archive » The Low Fi Manifesto - Data Architecture, and Journler

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:01:04 +0000

[...] been chatting with the folks over at digital complements + about Journler and they pointed me to a Karl Stolley’s The Lo-Fi [...]

Comment on literacy + access by Susan

Susan — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:51:48 +0000

Kelly, the parallel with Nick Burns is hilarious! I hadn’t really responded to Stolley’s tone that way, but once you pointed it out, I could almost hear him saying, “Now, was that so hard?”

Comment on literacy + access by kmlyles

kmlyles — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:05:06 +0000

Even though the graphics for the S5 alternative to PowerPoint are not the most visually appealing, I was glad to see that the graphics were there. When I was reading the Manifesto I was curious about how the alternative would compare to the commercial software, particularly in terms of whether it would be more limited visually, so I was happy to see its comparability.

I think you raise an important point when you cite the students’ responses about uncertainty whether their writing was improving in the Lunsford article. I do think the inclusion of technology in the classroom can be really great, but I am also aware that students may question the benefits that they are deriving from “technologically-enhanced” classes. I think a fine balance does have to be achieved, but it seems much easier to propose that balance than to necessarily achieve it.

Comment on role of new media + writing + box by Dougist

Dougist — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:32:02 +0000

Excellent post and interesting thoughts in your other items as well…

I’d say that we underestimate the programing complexity to move to non liner jotting and journaling. As much as we tty to tweak text based WP applications it is still a series of code lines and records. Adding random graphics strains the computing power of most chip sets today (processor and graphics) and certainly provides vast challenges for programers.

I also use Journler. As I look down at my cluttered desk top I think to myself that if Mark Twain were alive his desk top would look like mine and (perhaps) he would use Journler too.

I wrote about it here…

http://dougist.com/index.php?p=25

Hope you stop by…

Doug
http://www.dougist.com

Comment on role of new media + writing + box by Kathy O

Kathy O — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:15:16 +0000

Oh yikes! Another post focusing on box logic! I’m going to have to ask you about this as far as teaching possibilities go – can you think of any way that it can be useful teaching PR? I have really had my “production/application” hat on when reading for this class, and am at a loss with the box. I think I am going to have to read over it again in a different frame of mind after reading both your and Ruffin’s thoughtful posts!

Comment on role of new media + writing + box by Christin

Christin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:02:55 +0000

Kelly, I think you’ll find that as tablet PCs and computers with touch screens, like you’ve said, become more popular programs like Word will change to enable scribbling and other such acts. Right now, they’re too constrained by the keyboard and mouse I think.

Comment on emerging technologies + the state of things by martinkn

martinkn — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:01:32 +0000

Hi found the Todd Taylor course website. I think what he writes is interesting and the assignment sounds interesting: http://www.unc.edu/~twtaylor/teaching/29/