Chronicle Special Report -- The Digital Campus 2011

Now available in print and digital formats: The Digital Campus 2011

The Chronicle of Higher Education asks, "Does all this new technology make a difference?" Then, rather conveniently, the aforementioned Chronicle "looks at the realities behind the hype" and responds with a witty and inquisitive statement of inquiry:

With the proliferation of cloud computing, Twitter, adaptive-learning software, smartphone apps, digital archives, and many other tools and programs on campuses today, it’s fair to ask if any of it is making a difference.

With stories ranging form "one tech-savvy university’s bumpy road to becoming a mobile-friendly campus" to reports that detail the "experiences of academics switching to paperless teaching, using blogs and Twitter to give their students a public platform, and updating the campus library for a new generation," this special edition publication offers quality reporting for technophiles and technophobes alike. "Whether you’re just starting to explore new information technologies or are already working in a cloud, The Digital Campus will be of interest to you."

Access the entire publication (even subscriber only Premium Content) using VT Libraries Off-Campus Sign In.

Be sure to check out some other, recently published (by The Chronicle, but not included in the special report) materials about technology, pedagogy, and the academic lifestyle:

• Scrible: A New Tool for Web Annotation
• Episode 83: Teaching Students to Be Smartphone-Literate
• Taking Notes with the Moleskine App
• Color-Coding Comes to Google Calendar
• A New Notion in Europe: the Liberal-Arts College
• Video-Game Rooms Become the Newest Library Space Invaders

EndNote vs Zotero -- Battle Royale, ProfHacker Style

Here's a really nice head-to-head synthesis of the two most popular ebiblio platforms in academe. Per usual, the folks at ProfHacker (specifically Brian Croxall) have provided a witty, thoughtful, relatively thorough, yet surprising concise exploration of the topic at hand (complete with tangentially relevant photograph).   While the entire article is useful, for me the most powerful section arrives at the end of the second paragraph. Upon explaining his dissonant roles as Zotero evangelist, but EndNote user, Croxall explains, "So when it came time to write my dissertation, EndNote was already well integrated into my workflow. I began experimenting with Zotero in the fall of 2007 (a year after its first release) and while I very much appreciated what it did, it wasn’t enough to make me a convert." Extrapolating a bit, I think we can reframe this as applicable to all new (and potentially wonderful, time-saving, and generally mind-blowing) technologies. Rewritten as:

So when it came time to ___________________ (insert name of project/paper/task/etc.), ___________________ (insert name of familiar technology/process/etc.) was already well integrated into my workflow. I began experimenting with ___________________ (insert name of newfangled technology/process/gadgetry/etc.) in ___________________ (insert time of discovery) and while I very much appreciated what it did, it wasn't enough to make me a convert.

These subtle tweaks reiterate the sort of cost-benefit analysis (or perhaps it is more analogous to return on investment) for pedagogical and intellectual approaches to technologies (writ large) that I hope we emphasized during GEDI this semester. There are numerous technologies/approaches/processes/etc. for each and every project/paper/task/etc. that we are charged with accomplishing. In all likelihood, they all have some wonderful, time-saving, project-improving benefits. That said, each technology/approach/process comes with a learning curve. Some are steep and quick, while others are gradual and require greater time resources. So, in short, figure out what works best for you and your given situation. It probably isn't a great idea to "start...playing around with [insert technology/process/etc/]...(as a way to procrastinate rather than actually writing papers)" while writing the final chapter of your dissertation (or other major project). Remember, know thy self. Figure out what works best for you when approaching particular endeavor. And don't forget that these are variables that can (and will) change over time or with different projects. It is a never-ending process of adaptation that exists on a fluid continuum.

What about Mendeley, Sente, Bookends, and the multitude of other ebibliography platforms available? Does anyone have comments, questions, curiosities, lived experiences to share?

By Popular Demand -- The GEDI Assignments Overview

GEDI Assignments Matrix
Click image to enlarge or visit Scholar to download.

As we inch ever nearer to the end of the term and deadlines begin to loom on the not too distant horizon, many of you have sent emails seeking confirmation of course requirements and suggesting a comprehensive overview of assignments and deadlines. Definitely a timely and wise request. Although each individual assignment description includes due dates, this requires a somewhat laborious navigational effort -- the digital exploration of the Resources section of Scholar to locate appropriate folders (and often subfolders). And without a doubt, clarifying due dates, submission methods, and assignment expectations is a critical pedagogical endeavor. In fact, this is something Shelli and I have discussed at length -- how to best create a flexible, yet clear and comprehensive course calendar, without becoming opaquely complex. We're exploring different options and incorporating a lot of your recent feedback to develop a better method for next semester. While it might be a bit late in the term (but not really since 2 May 2011 is a big GEDI due date), we now present the 2011 GEDI Assignments Matrix! You can review the matrix by clicking on the image above or download a copy in the new "Assignments" section of the GRAD 5114 Scholar site (see image below for navigational assistance).

Thanks for the constructive and useful feedback. Please keep the suggestions coming!

The GEDI Assignments Matrix can now be found in the
"Assignments" section of Scholar. Click image to enlarge.

Last Class -- Laptops and Tomorrow's Prof

First things first -- laptops. If convenient, please bring your laptop to Wednesday's final GEDI class session. A portion of class will include an internet-based activity during class, so a laptop will come in handy. 

Page 1 of 2
Access the full document here.

Moving right along, here's a recent posting from the Tomorrow's Professor Listserv (a rather appropriate source as we round out GRAD 5114 and send all you new GEDIs into academe prepared to be "faculty of and for the 21st century") that calls into question traditional lecture-based instructional styles. Since Shelli has mentioned Dr. Eric Mazur on a few occasions (namely in reference to peer instruction and his “it’s the pedagogy that matters, not the technology” maxim), this post (a repost from ASEE's PRISM) is both timely and pertinent. Access the full post here or download a copy from Scholar (Resources > Week 15 > Optional Reading Materials). Want to learn more about Mazur's pedagogy and research? Check out his faculty profile, research group, and Wikipedia entry. For more information about Rick Reis and Tomorrow's Professor read this news release from Stanford and peruse the Tomorrow's Prof website to review previous entries and subscribe to the email digest.

As always, please feel free to ask questions, offer comments, or make tangential suggestions.

Another Event - Social Media for Planning Conference

Registration Deadline: Friday, April 15

Register here: www.cpe.vt.edu/socialplan/registration.html

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Urban Affairs and Planning Program

and Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development

Friday, April 22, 2011

8:00am - 5:00pm

Cost: $90 

5.5 AICP CM credits pending 

Fee includes a mid-morning coffee break, box lunch, and afternoon break.

Location:
Held simultaneously in two locations, Falls Church and Blacksburg, Virginia
Register Online!

About this Conference

Social media tools, communications, databases and other technologies are increasingly being used by planners today in their day-to-day work. How do we choose among these tools? What barriers are there to their effective use? How do we use the information that's provided in the planning process? In what ways do these tools help – or hinder us – in making our communities great places to live, work and play?

Join us for this one-day conversation that will explore these questions and more!

Sessions feature a range of findings, case studies and best practices for how planners today are using technology for data collection, analysis, project management, and presentation in support of the planning process. The day's program concludes with a facilitated discussion that synthesizes key 'lessons learned' across all sessions and that will be shared with attendees following the conference. View the detailed program schedule.

For more information, please visit: www.cpe.vt.edu/socialplan/index.html

Continuing and Professional Education - 702 University City Blvd. - Blacksburg, VA 24060

This Week (and Next Week) Only!

Here's a quick look at some (with so many interesting speakers, amazing festivals, and engaging discussions going on during the next few days this certainly is far from an exhaustive list) of the great events happening in and around Blacksburg during the next 10 days. Given the diversity, there should be something for everyone. Please share with your students, colleagues, and advisors. Don't forget to take a study break yourself and check out some (probably not all - attending all possible events may indicate a serious case of springtime induced procrastination, please see your GEDI staff with questions) of the week's offerings.

Arab Fest
Monday, 11 April 11:00am - 5:00pm
Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
The second-annual Arab Fest is a celebration of Arab cultures. It is a free event open to the public offering a variety of cultural and educational activities: contemporary and traditional music, dance, food, henna drawing, calligraphy and more.

We will have the Hill and Veil belly dance troupe, Anne Elise Thomas will perform music on traditional instruments and at 4:00PM singer GoRemy will perform.

Sponsored by the Reema Samaha Arabic Language and Cultural Initiative which honors the life and memory of Reema J. Samaha who died in the shootings on April 16, 2007. With support from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

For more information, please read this recent article from the Collegiate Times.

originally published 02.02.2011
visit www.phdcomics.com for more comics
about "Life (or the lack thereof) in Academia"

The Power of Procrastination

Wednesday 13 April @ 7:30pm

GLC Auditorium

The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) invites you to "The Power of Procrastination," presented by Jorge Cham, creator of the popular comic strip "Piled Higher and Deeper" ("PhD Comics"). Refreshments and book signing will immediately follow the lecture. This event is FREE and open to the public - please invite your friends and colleagues! More information about Jorge and PhD Comics can be found at www.phdcomics.com. Please direct any questions to Amanda Rumore, GSA V.P of Programs (arumore@vt.edu).

Earth Week 2011

18 - 22 April

All Over Campus and Throughout Town

Earth Week Website: ew2011.com

Want more information about Earth Week 2011? Contact: rialto13@vt.edu

Find us on Facebook Virginia Tech Earth Week

Environmental Coalition Website: www.theecvt.wordpress.com

Here's a quick rundown of some of the things on the Earth Week agenda:

Sustainable Food Monday - 18 April

On Campus Farmer’s Market

11:00am - 3:00pm 

Sponsored by CSECP and Office of Energy and Sustainability

Stop by the GLC Plaza (fountain outside Squires) for an on campus showcase of baked goods, produce, crafts and more provided by a selection of your very own Blacksburg Farmers Market Vendors!

Lunch with Mark Winne

1:30pm - Farms & Fields in Owens Dining Hall

Join author Mark Winne for delicious food and informal conversation.

An Evening with Mark Winne

7:30 pm

Squires Colonial

Distinguished author of Closing the Food Gap and Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners and Smart Cookin’ Mamas will speak at Tech about Food Politics, Community Involvement and his own experiences working towards a healthier food system.

Transportation Tuesday - 19 April

Cognitive Climate Change: The Psychology of  Sustainability

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Planetary disruption and destruction are identified and analyzed as problems of technology, industry, or culture. At the root of the problem, however, are patterns of disruption in the human mind and body. An emerging body of evidence points to the fact that connection to nature is an essential form of nutrition. In the same way that we rely upon good quality food to be healthy, humans must connect to our “second mother”- Nature – if we wish to heal both self and world. 

Michael Blackwell is a teacher, musician, mentor, farmer, writer, culture designer, animal tracker, bon vivant, racoonteur. and mid-level academeaucrat. Using information, story, song, reasoned dialogue, and blatant emotional appeal, he will present the case and a method by which we may come to know the world, and be known by it, in a way that can significantly contribute to its healing. Contact him at 540-922-2175 or natlearn@gmail.com if you are interested in arranging a talk for your campus or class.

Mike McCoy from Appalachian Voices

5:00pm

Squires 300

Do you want to effect change in Southwestern Virginia? Mike McCoy from Appalachian Voices will speak about how everyone can create change in this area. We will discuss the dangers of mountain top removal and how, through lobbying, we can bring cleaner energy sources into our homes.

Education & Awareness Wednesday - 20 April

“Sustainable Solutions” w/Rob Jacks of Shaklee

3:30pm – 4:30pm

Squires 300

From chocolate to cleaning products, discover ways to live more sustainably while using everyday products like chocolate and cleaners. A chocolate taste testing will follow the presentation.

The Electricity Fairy

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Squires Brush Mountain A

The Electricity Fairy is a documentary that examines America’s national addiction to fossil fuels through the lens of electricity. Filmmaker Tom Hansell follows the story of a proposed coal-fired power plant in southwest Virginia, connecting the local controversy to the national debate over energy policy. Wise County activist Kathy Selvage, featured prominently in the film, will be on-hand to discuss the film and answer questions after the screening.

Think Global - Act Local Thursday - 21 April

New Forest Earth Presentation  

12:00pm – 1:15pm

Brush Mountain A

Interested in sustainable forestry, starting up a non-profit, or working with indigenous cultures? Hear all about New Forest Earth and what they do to help motivate sustainable communities and empower them to preserve and restore their forests. For more information, check out www.newforestearth.org 

Tree Planting

1:30pm – 3:30pm

Between Slusher and D2  

Make the campus beautiful and help plant 25 native hardwood trees and begin the reforestation near the Slusher Wing area. Stop by anytime and lend a hand! Fill out the Tree Planting Volunteer Sign Up to help out.

Earth Day Meal sponsored by Dining Services

6:00pm

D2  

Celebrate Earth Week at D2 with a special locally sourced meal. “Vote with our fork” this Earth Week and show Dining Services that you support their efforts to incorporate more local, sustainable, and organic foods into our Dining Halls.

Earth Day Friday - 22 April

Earth Day Festival

10:00am - 5:00pm

College Avenue and the Squires Plaza area

Celebrate the planet with the Environmental Coalition and the Town of Blacksburg’s Earth Day Festival. Enjoy our organization and merchant fair, silent auction, local food venders, and entertainment!

Interested in showcasing your business, organization, research project, etc.? Sign up to have a booth at the festival by completing this survey by April 14. 

Gandhi, King, VT

FROM GANDHI, TO DR. KING, TO VIRGINIA TECH:

The Global Legacy of Martin Luther King in the 21st Century

Tuesday, 5 April 2011, 7:00om - 8:30pm

Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires

The ASPECT/PGG Speaker Series is proud to present the Ut Prosim Month Keynote Speaker Dr. Clayborne Carson, internationally renowned scholar and founding director of the MLK Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Dr. Carson will give a powerful talk tracing the legacy of Gandhi and MLK through the twentieth century and up to the tragedy at Virginia Tech in 2007. This presentation has been collaboratively envisioned by graduate students in conversation with Dr. Carson as a unique opportunity to place the history of Virginia Tech within the context of over a century of critical thought on violence and its alternatives in the modern world.

Please direct questions or requests for promotional materials to Jordan Hill at jordanrh@vt.edu with your contact information.

Spoken Word with Omekongo

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 @ 7:00pm

Squires Commonwealth Ballroom.

Admission is free and all are welcome!

Although @ 7:00pm you'll be workshopping PDePs, please pass along to your

colleagues and friends who are not enrolled in GEDI this semester.

Virginia Tech STAND Chapter (an organization dedicated to awareness and advocacy concerning genocide and genocidal violence in conflicts around the world), the African Students Association (ASA), and the Department of History will be hosting Omekongo, a well-known Congolese motivational speaker and performer. He will be performing an original piece of spoken-word poetry (also known as slam poetry), as well as facilitating a Q&A to follow on the subjects of Congo, Sudan, genocide, sexual violence, and economic exploitation. He's an incredibly powerful speaker and performer, and has been hosted by prominent institutions in the United States and worldwide such as Harvard, MIT, CNN, and a number of others.

GEW 2011, Oh What a Week!

For a downloadable copy of the GEW flyer, click here.

Looking for something fun and intellectually stimulating to help enliven your week? Well, your in luck! Although it is already midweek, it is also Graduate Education Week 2011, which means (although it's probably redundant) there's plenty of exciting events to enjoy! Hooray for GEW 2011! Below are distillations for some of the highlights yet-to-come.

Be sure to take a look at the VT Graduate Education Week website for more information about (and photos from) GEW 2011. You can also savor this year's celebration of you with a commemorative, collectable, and easily downloadable copy of the colorful and informative GEW flyer (see above).

Introducing the pièce de résistance of GEW (or at least of Thursday). Please come check it out, with your patronage, we might be able to make this a more regular feature. Grab an americano from Greenberry's (or elsewhere around town), nibble on a baked good, and soak up the academic ambiance and agri-culture.

The On-Campus Farmers Market at Virginia Tech:

Blacksburg Farmers Market Vendors Visit Campus

Stop by for an on-campus showcase of baked goods, produce, crafts, and more. Learn about the delicious local foods the market has to offer the campus and the community!

THURSDAY March 24, 2011

11:00am-3:00pm

GLC PLAZA

In celebration of Graduate Education Week, Virginia Tech's Graduate School and the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships are sponsoring an on-campus farmers market featuring vendors from the Blacksburg Farmers Market. In addition, Fred Kirschenmann, distinguished fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University will visit the market from 2:00pm until 3:00pm to meet and greet students.

Presented by:

Center for Student Engagement & Community Partnerships

Division of Student Affairs

Friends of the Farmers Market

Graduate School at Virginia Tech

Sustainable Food Corps

An Evening with Farmer Philosopher Fred Kirschenmann

Thursday, March 24, 2011 @ 7:00pm

Fralin Auditorium

If you don't have a chance to chat with Fred at the on-campus farmers market, be sure to spend the evening listening to stories from his career and discussing the importance of maintaining soil health, developing small- and medium-sized farms, and incorporating biodynamic techniques into farms. Take a look at the event flyer and review the previous GEDI blog post here.

Bill Bradley

“Leadership in a Changing World” - Cutchins Distinguished Lecture

Thursday, March 24 @ 7:30 pm

Burruss Auditorium

Ok, technically not a part of GEW 2011, but how often does VT host a former U.S. senator, presidential candidate, Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, Rhodes Scholar, and bestselling author? Well, to be frank...not very often. If you're not already planning to attend the Fred Kirschenmann event, head over to Burruss for an evening with Bill. More information found here.

Big Cook Out

Friday, March 25, 2011 @ 4:30pm until 6:30pm

Graduate School Lawn & GLC Multipurpose Room

Graduate students and their families are invited to enjoy FREE food, music, and games. Come hungry and bring a blanket for lawn lounging!

And finally, courtesy of a former (and now successfully employed) GEDI, a brief comic interlude during an otherwise hectic Graduate Education Week. If nothing else, this helps remind us how great it is to be a grad student.

An Evening with Farmer Philosopher Fred Kirschenmann

Many of you may already know about this upcoming event, but methinks it doesn't hurt to re-advertise. Additionally, I believe you might find some connections (albeit perhaps at times tangental) to our discussions about diversity, pedagogy, student engagement, and 21st century academic research.  

Thursday, March 24, 2011

7pm, Fralin Auditorium

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Fred Kirshenmann is a world-renowned leader in sustainable agriculture who combines his experience as an organic farmer with an education in philosophy to offer a unique view of agriculture. Kirschenmann is the Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University and President of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York. He travels extensively nationally and abroad discussing the importance of maintaining soil health, developing small- and medium-sized farms, and incorporating biodynamic techniques into farms. In April 2010, the University Press of Kentucky is publishing a book of Kirschenmann’s essays edited by New Mexico State University agricultural economist Connie Falk. The book, Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher, follows his writing on farming, philosophy and sustainability. He has published articles in other books including Farm Aid: A Song for America, Agroecosystems Analysis and Sustainable Agroecosystem Management.

view/download the event flyer here

Hello, Newman

ah, the beauty of RSS feeds (be sure to check out the righthand column for more great syndicated content)...

courtesy of Notes From Newman: HNFE Research & Resources (Rebecca Kate Miller you are awesome! Please keep disseminating great information! Check out more of her frequent, timely, and often humorous dispatches here.)

"More Big News: Study Cafe NOW OPEN!

Yes, that's right--the Newman Library Study Cafe is NOW OPEN!  The first floor door is open, as well, which means that you can enter the library directly on the first floor, and head right on over to Greenberry's, the cafe vendor.  View a drink menu here!

In addition to coffee and other beverages, the study cafe has hot and cold sandwiches, pastries, salads, and other food.  Greenberry's takes all kinds of payment except meal plans; cash, credit card, check, and Hokie dollars are all accepted. 

I, in fact, am drinking a Greenberry's beverage right now, as I write this post.  I swung by the study cafe on my way to Wallace Office Hours (where I'll be until 3:30 today) and picked up a tall (which is the smallest size drink) light roast.  Delicious, and kept me nice and warm on the rainy walk over here.

Be sure to stop by Newman Library today and check out the new cafe!"

Food for thought for seminar this evening, March 16

"The answer is not in the good intentions; it is in the critical discourse that must take place for change to happen." --Miguel Guajardo

For Seminar this evening, March 2

Hi, GEDIs --

If you can, please bring your laptop to seminar this evening....

Also, there is a syllabus assignment posted in this week's folder. It is not due until March 30, but we'll discuss it in seminar this evening.

See you then,
Shelli

Quick Pre-Class Reading Material (With Exciting and Interactive Content)

Photo Courtesy of Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
See more photos from the article here.

Sorry for the late notice, but if time permits, please read (or give it a quick skim if really pressed for time) this article from The New York Times. Technology reporter Matt Richtel's article originally appeared in the 6 June 2010 edition of The NY Times and has garnered a fair amount of attention since (in 2010 he won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for "Driven to Distraction"; although slightly different than our focus, certainly worth reading). Fadel's post on the GEDI Discussion blog presents a nice summary of the article and raises some compelling points about the cognitive dissonance involved in such instances of technological immersion. Be sure to investigate the slew of multimedia features in the lefthand column (curious incorporation of various multimedia "distractions"; meeting the needs and wants of the audience but also drawing [an already shortened] attention from the main content of the article).

Comment here. Comment on Fadel's post. And have some thoughts ready for in-class discussion.

"Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st Century"

In a couple of weeks, we will be talking about how contemporary students learn. If you have access to local PBS programming, you may find the following program, “Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st-century,” relevant and interesting as you think about your current and future pedagogical praxis (both as a GTA and as a future facutly).

If you have the opportunity to watch it, this show airs tonight, Sunday, February 13, at 10:30 p.m.

(If you don’t have access to television, it may be accessible via your computer on Hulu after the original TV airing--search for the PBS listings at Hulu.com.)

To view a short promo and links to short interview clips, etc., please see:

http://www.pbs.org/digital-media/

Recent Developments; Reasons to Take a Look...

Feverishly working on a compelling and discipline-reshaping publication? Racing to finish a few more titrations to better understand the molecular activity of iron-sulfur clusters? Simply been caught up in the busy world of academia? Well then, sounds like it's time for a break!

While there are loads of reasons to put off a perusal of the collegial conversations, pedagogical inquiries, and other developments on the GEDI Discussion blog, Friday afternoons tend to be perfectly situated for work breaks. So, grab a coffee (or tea), thumb through your notes from class, review your textual marginalia, and head over to see what your colleagues are up to. And please let the record state, there is some really thought-provoking stuff happening on the GEDI Discussion blog. If you haven't looked lately, here's a summary of recent posts (all this activity since Wednesday!) to whet your dialogic appetite...

"Look Before You Blog" - In this wittily titled post Cayce ponders the pros and cons of using student blogs in  her composition courses. Citing a piece from the "Brainstorm" section of the Chronicle, Cayce (and author Gina Barreca) wonders about the hopes and goals for student writing (although perhaps most visibly a concern for English, this is something professors and students think about in all departments; we all write, what's the point?, what's the "best" method to encourage thoughtful writing?; more broadly, think about issues of critical consciousness from Freire) and whether or not blogs help students develop as writers, thinkers, and people.

"Information Management" - Building upon Wednesday's discussion about information overload and information management, Patrick raises some very important points about information control and our (both individually and collectively) digital personas and informational footprints. As discussed during class, the sheer quantity and easy accessibility of information are simultaneously the bliss and bane of the internet. Living hectic lives, it is of course important to think about how to more efficiently manage information (for research, teaching, social, etc.). This is, as Patrick points out, only one portion of the information equation. Thinking about how to control information is good, but we are doing ourselves a great disservice if we aren't also thinking about how information is controlling us. This might sound a bit doomsday-esque, but as Patrick states, "it is becoming increasingly important to make sure that we educate the students about the responsibility that goes with usage of such technology."

"Gmail Priority Inbox" - Do you receive more email than you know what to do with? Do you use Gmail? Well then, you're in luck. Eric has provide a nice trick for corralling the chaos of your inbox.

"Academically Adrift: Live Chat With the Authors" - After briefly mentioning this interesting study in class, in his post Jeff provides a nice summary of the study's primary conclusion. There are also two great links: (1) David Glenn's Chronicle article discussing the new book and (2) a Chronicle hosted live chat with the authors. Time and interest permitting, you are all strongly encouraged to attend the chat and delve more deeply into Arum and Roksa's disheartening, but motivating findings. And in the spirit of collegial digital dialogue, Cayce follows Jeff's lead and presents an interesting comment about learner-centered teaching and expectations (for both students & instructors) in the classroom.

"Students as Containers" - Digging into the text of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Samah writes about the banking concept and provides some anecdotal information that addresses the complexities of engaging students as active contributors (as opposed to passive receptacles) of information/learning/knowledge/etc. Working to revise a historical precedent that tended to promote a stand-and-deliver, hierarchical, teacher-knows-all classroom dynamic is a challenge (for both teacher and student). Administering change in incremental steps with transparency and openness is a more feasible (and probably more comfortable) method for restructuring the educational environment, but questions about student expectations still lurk. Grab your copy of Freire's texts and join the conversation...

This is but a sample of the fine ideas available on the GEDI Discussion blog. Please review the blog archive for a fuller picture of the intellectual richness. When inspiration or compulsion strike, feel free to contribute to these ongoing conversations (via comments) or initiate a new conversation (via new post).

The Technology and Rigor of Academics

Short and directly to-the-point today. Here are a couple of relatively new and undoubtedly interesting takes on the complexity of contemporary education. The first is a

Give the articles a quick read, review the 2011 Horizon Report, chase down information, maybe even find some tangential information. Let's start a discussion about this, that, or another thing...

6 Top Tech Trends on the Horizon for Higher Education
Chronicle

A Lack Of Rigor Leaves Students 'Adrift' In College
NPR

Be sure to take a look at your colleagues' thoughts regarding the matter on the GEDI Discussion blog

There are errors in this form! Seriously?

It has come to my attention that a few of you have received the message, "There are errors in this form!" when accepting (or at least attempting to accept) the invitation for the first time (when redirected to the login screen via the link provided in the invitational email). Some others have mentioned the same "There are errors in this form!" experience during subsequent login attempts (already accepted, signed out, hours/days have passed, attempted to login again).

Well, to be honest, I'm not quite sure what the problem is. I've scoured the web (Googling a problem with Google is a curious thing, isn't it?) and it appears as though other bloggers have experienced/are currently experiencing the same problem. Unfortunately I haven't founds any solutions (yet). If you are  having trouble accepting the invitation and/or logging in, I suggest (at least for the time being) letting Blogger rest for awhile (sometimes these things just need a bit of space and rest; Internet magic eventually prevails).

I've contacted Google about our problem and am awaiting a response/solution. Sorry for the trouble and inconvenience. If an intellectual epiphany strikes and you are unable to access the GEDI Discussion blog, please email your post to me and I'll post it on your behalf. In the meantime, I'll keep everyone posted regarding developments.

Here are my suggestions (try #1 first and work down the list if unsuccessful):

1. go to blogger.com and try to login and then access the blog via dashboard
2. go to gedivtdiscussion.blogspot.com and try to login (see "sign in" in upper right corner)
3. go to gmail.com, login, open another tab and go to blogger.com or gedivtdiscussion.blogspot.com, you should be logged in automatically

Let me know if any of these options work or if you are still having trouble.** You are of course welcome to send an email, but please do feel free to use the comments section beneath this post. We're all in this together, so let's problem solve as a collective body.  Experiencing login troubles? Post your questions/comments below. Better yet, if you have any suggestions, please post a comment.

---------

**Despite my best attempt at playing the "bad cop" role during last night's seminar, my true persona is surfacing. Although I publicly identified (in a playful, humorous, and encouraging fashion) the handful of GEDI Discussion blog holdouts (the list swiftly disappeared by the way...thank you for joining the rest of us!) I am really a nice and helpful GEDI Fellow. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have troubles with Blogger, Scholar, or any other pedagogical, technological, or existential quandaries.

Recommended "Reading"

Whilst perusing the educational bounty of the worldwide web I happened upon this gem of a video. Hopefully by now you are familiar with Sir Ken Robinson and his argument regarding the ways in which the modern education system undermines creativity from his TED talk (if not, please watch it before Wednesday). If you found the TED video encouraging, problematic, or even a bit confusing and are looking for more historical contextualization and paradigmatic analysis of contemporary education from Sir Ken (this time with some lovely animation), take a few moments to watch, read, and contemplate this video from the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

For GEDI Seminar Feb. 2 --Hot Off the RSS Feeds

Please make sure that you also read the Wired Campus story, "Video Uses Student Voices to Explore New Directions in Education," on Michael Wesch's new video project before seminar on Wednesday.

GEDI or GEDI Discussion, What's the Difference?

Now that GEDI Discussion is open and ready for your critical interaction, some of you may be wondering about the points that distinguish the GEDI blog (where you are currently reading) from the GEDI Discussion blog. Well, in short, the GEDI blog is digital space where GEDI staff (i.e. Shelli, Holly, and Justin) will describe upcoming assignments, present information about new happenings and compelling information relevant to course topics. Although it is not advertised to the wider world, this blog is a public venue and readable by anyone with internet access.

Conversely, the GEDI Discussion blog is a forum (but not quite like the forum tool we recently used in Scholar; think about differences, similarities, pros/cons, etc.) for YOU and your GRAD 5114 colleagues to engage in out-of-class conversations about course topics. In order to make the GEDI Discussion blog an inviting and comfortable space for critical reflection and thoughtful engagement, access is restricted to class members. In other words, you should be comfortable to explore tough questions, dig into texts we're reading, think deeply about pedagogical theories. There are no foolish questions nor wrong answers. YOU (collectively speaking) are the only authors and only readers of this by-invitation-only, private blogging space.

Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century

"Featuring the foremost thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners in the field, Digital Media is a startling preview of a 21st Century education revolution." ~PBS


Watch the full episode. See more Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.

Speaker on Multicultural Education This Evening

Just in case you are interested in the topic of multicultural education, there is a nationally-known speaker, Dr. Sonia Nieto, on campus tonight, Monday, Jan. 27, 7:00 p.m. in Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center.

"Buying" the Book

Great news! If you haven't already made the trek to Tech Bookstore or one of the VT bookstores to purchase Weimer's Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice, you can quickly and easily access a FREE electronic copy through VT Libraries (a HUGE thanks to Carrie Tyler for finding and sharing this information). Depending upon your operating system and existing software, you might need to download a FREE copy of Adobe Digital Editions to maximize your electronic reading pleasure.

Prefer a more tangible reading experience? Don't forget, bookshops are you're friends. Deals in town got you down? Take a quick study break and check out the options at Powell's, Barnes & Noble, Alibris, Amazon, or maybe even Google Books.

Please get a copy (digital or physical) as quickly as possible. This is a great text and we'll be drawing upon it throughout the term. If you're worried about the shipping  timeline, remember, the first two chapters are available as PDFs (Scholar - Resources - Week Two).

Let us know if you have any questions.

Gmail Homework

As we discussed during class, one of GEDI's main functions is the exploration of the pedagogical utility and academic application of different pieces of (emerging) technology. In all likelihood, each of us routinely googles topics, phrases, questions, and/or concepts. But Google is so much more than an amazing web-crawling search engine.

While Google is by no means a new technological development, it is constantly adding tools and functionality to its already robust repertoire. Throughout the semester we will model some of the ways you might integrate various Google Tools into your teaching and research endeavors. We all have varying levels of technological comfort as well as a diverse range of experience teaching with technology (remember, things like chalk, markers, pencils, PowerPoint, DyKnow, HTML, etc. are all technologies). Aware of the fact that technology is not everyone's preferred cup of pedagogical tea, we hope to engage in a long critical discussion about the "when," "how," and "why" of using technology to achieve learning objectives. But more on this nebulous topic later.

Welcome to GEDI!

There is where pertinent information for the GEDI seminar will be posted. You should regularly check this site, the "Weekly Topics & Tentative Agenda" column on the right, as well as any of the relevant articles or posts listed via the RSS feeds on the lower right. We may post thematic photos:

We may also post additional relevant articles, such as this one.

Throughout the semester, the GEDI staff will use this as a space to alert you to GEDI assignments, tasks, and post other information relevant to our conversations about contemporary pedagogy.