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Background
Poised on the edge of the second millennium, how might teacher-scholars map the progress of technology in our reading and writing classrooms? This conference will explore this question under the theme “2001: A Cyber Odyssey,” 17-20 May 2001. The conference mission: to share ideas, formulate workable plans, and take specific actions to reach out beyond our classrooms in order to forge relationships that will enhance the use of computer technology for teaching, learning, and research.
The theme takes its lead from the Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick landmark film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which follows the arc of human evolution from primitive tool use to inter-planetary and intra-psychic exploration. “2001: A Cyber Odyssey” invites investigation of a range of questions. What technologies have we adopted out of necessity? What are our current choices? Which directions should we follow? And what pitfalls should we avoid? Our keynote speakers will touch on these topics from different perspectives. And the following conference objectives may help as you create your proposals:
- to demonstrate positive uses of computer technology in contemporary society, such as community building, knowledge making, and information sharing
- to promote effective and efficient use of computer technology for teaching, learning, and research in other disciplines as well as businesses and industries
- to develop new ways of implementing computer technology in our intellectual and personal lives
- to shape policy and perceptions about the use of computer technology in the classroom, office, and home
- to educate others about the effective and appropriate uses of computer technology for teaching, learning, and research
- to seek ways to actively involve community and industry in Computers and Writing
- to provide a collaborative conference voluntarily facilitated by members of the computers and writing community.
Strands
This conference promotes thematic strands which enables presenters and participants to attend sessions with similar topics if they so choose. These strands could be multi-day or multi-event activities or presentations. We invite you to propose and program strands focusing on specific themes or interests for the conference. Organizations and entities, such as Kairos, Alliance for Computers and Writing, LinguaMOO, TWUMOO, Daedalus, and Computers and Composition are invited to program an event as well. Strand organizers may ask you to refine your work for the special Kairos 6.2 issue. Feel free to contact current strand organizers if you're preparing a presentation along these themes:
Assessment
Kathleen Yancey and Carl Whithaus invite you to explore the changing dynamics of reading, responding and evaluating student work in computer-mediated writing/communication courses. What happens to portfolios when students begin to compile electronic portfolios? Do timed, direct assessments of writing have a place in the world of computer-mediated communication? How do you assess synchronous discussions? How do you assess student work in MOOs? In hypertext composition and design, how much weight to you give to textual and visual elements? What happens to grading in complex, non-linear, construtive hypertexts??????
Distance Education
Judy Kirkpatrick invites you to submit proposals along this theme. The concept of teaching in a classroom that does not have four walls, desks and chairs, with all students together at the same time and in the same place, has been called all sorts of things over time, including correspondence courses, distance education, and distance learning. This was, primarily, before the Internet and the World Wide Web. New paradigms, new tools and new classrooms are being invented for learning that take into consideration the possibilities of online learning. The challenge lies in making online learning produce the outcomes for the student that will be remembered, that will augment or surpass the brick and mortar experience, and that will develop the technological literacy to best prepare the student for a lifelong experience in working in Internet environments.
ECAC
Donna Reiss, Mike Palmquist, Dickie Selfe, Art Young, and Martin Rosenberg invite you to submit contributions from all disciplines to a cluster of sessions linked by a common theme: the role of computer-mediated communication and new media in fostering and supporting the teaching of writing and/or communication across the curriculum (WAC/CAC). We welcome proposals from all disciplines. Short papers and presentations that foster discussion and audience participation are preferable; related longer papers by the presenters will be considered for publication in a special edition of Academic.Writing:
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Communication Across the Curriculum
(http://aw.colostate.edu). Papers and presentations that consider interdisciplinary aspects of WAC/CAC theory, practice, and research are specifically encouraged.
Gender and Technology
Morgan Gresham, Laura Sullivan, Pam Takayoshi, and Lisa Gerrard invite you to explore issues surrounding how computer-mediated environments effect teaching and learning for different genders.
Hypertext Theory and Practice
Collin Brooke, Jeff Galin, and Joan Latchaw invite you to consider topics relating to the social and educational theory and practice of teaching and thinking hypertextually.
K-16 Praxis
Ted Nellen, Nancy Patterson, and Lori Mayo invite you to share practical, hands-on teaching and teacher-training strategies and resources. We're working out the details to enable C&W participants to earn graduate, continuing education credit.
Innovations and Research in Synchronous Communication
Learning Environment, Dude
Joel English invites you to submit a proposal for possible acceptance into the Strand on Innovations and Research in Synchronous Communication, Dude. This strand will feature two sessions investigating student activity within and innovation in synchronous online environments such as MOOs, web-based chat facilities, and other synchronous tools. The first session, "Research in Student Activity in the Synchronous Online Classroom," invites researchers who are conducting empirical research on student activity within classroom or learning environments to present their findings about student behavior online. The motivating queries here will be, "based on observation and methodological inquiry, what sorts of student activity characterize the kind of learning that happens synchronously online? What happens there?" The second session, "Innovations in Synchronous Online Environments," seeks to feature new developments in synchronous conferencing, which can include new online environments, new uses for MOOs and web-based environments, and original approaches at thinking about synchronous environments and tools. Joel welcomes you to email him (jaenglis@odu.edu) to inquire or submit a proposal for this strand; proposals must be to him no later than October 10, 2000.
Queer Studies
Keith Dorwick, Alison Regan, Walt Turner, Margee Morrison, and Samantha Blackmon invite you to share your experience and knowledge and thoughtful ideas surrounding issues related to computer technologies and queer studies.
Service Learning
Christopher Dean and Amy Spring invite you to present service education projects and strategies.
Graduate Research Network
Janice Walker and Susan Lang announce the second Graduate Research Network. See this site to sign-up to participate (you may submit your conference proposal to GRN). The Graduate Research Network is a forum for graduate students and recent graduates to discuss research projects and work in progress of interest to those working with Computers and Writing, with experienced researchers, editors, and peers. The C&W Graduate Research Network is an all-day pre-conference event, open to all registered conference participants at no charge. Roundtable discussions will group those with similar research interests with discussion leaders who will facilitate discussion and offer suggestions for developing research projects and for finding suitable venues for publication. We encourage anyone interested or involved in graduate education and scholarship--students, professors, mentors, and interested others--to participate in this important event. We welcome those pursuing a wide variety of research models (qualitative studies, quantitative studies, textual/hypertextual/intertextual studies, traditional or electronic theses/dissertation projects, etc.) at any stage, from those just beginning to design a project to those whose projects are ready to pursue publication. Review a TechRhet MOO brainstorming session about the GRN. John Walter is organizing the online GRN.
Teacher Preparation Forum
Ray Rodrigues invites you to join a panel discussion and open forum called "Impossible Realities: Preparing Future Faculty." This panel is designed for faculty in departments that grant the doctorate, for doctoral candidates, and for untenured faculty in particular, though we invite anyone to attend. Ray Rodrigues, Cynthia Jeney, Joel English, and Michael Salvo will address the ways to help doctoral candidates survive some of the shocks that await them as new faculty in post-secondary institutions, such as dysfunctional departments, union environments that constrain faculty choices, departments with faculty who have never conducted research since receiving their doctorates, departments with senior faculty who do not have doctorates, mysteries about maneuvering the institution's bureaucratic mazes. Panel members will suggest strategies for orienting new faculty to the department, to faculty in other departments, to governance committees, to local resources. And the members will suggest steps that new faculty may take themselves to be successful in their new departments. You might be interested in seeing:
- a project about faculty appointments at Harvard University
- the University of Washington's Preparing Future Faculty site, or
- Dickie Selfe's Tenure, Protection, and Professoriate ideas ("an argument in development that [Dickie] would appreciate comment, questions, and suggestions on").
Filmage
This is the third year of "C&W at the Movies." This year's film showing is What If? A Film About Judith Merril. We'll show this directly after the opening session on Thursday, 17 May 2000. It is produced by Imageries P.B. Ltd., and directed by Helen Klodawsky. Richard Elson is the producer. It won the Gold Plaque at the 2000 Chicago International Film Festival. Science fiction writer Judith Merril, who died shortly after the filming, rocketed to success with her first story "That Only A Mother" in 1948. In those years science fiction was considered "junk." Until the fifties, space travel had "only macho interest." When women entered the field -- and Merril was one of the first -- they introduced concepts of interplanetary communication rather than conquest. Ms. Merril reminds us that the concept of the space program grew out of science fiction - that the wanderings of man's (and woman's) imagination leads to unknown worlds. Today, she says, the gap between imagination and implementation has become very short. Sociologist Barry Wellman joins with futurist Stanford Beer, author Dennis Lee, and Elisabeth Vonarburg, science fiction writer, to evaluate Ms. Merril's contribution. Judith Merril was in the illustrious company of Arthur Clarke and Carl Sagan in the formation of the Planetary Society, a group to contemplate the universe with science, imagination and philosophy. With somewhat disheveled gray hair and a mischievous glint in her eye, the first lady of science fiction discloses what brought her to distant galaxies to contemplate the possibilities of space. Even those who are not afficionados of science fiction may want to take another look at the genre after being in the company of this passionate, politically committed and daringly inventive feminist, a pace setter in her field. See this review.
The Awards
Best Webtext Award (Kairos)
Kairos: A Journal for Teachers of Writing in Webbed Environments will again recognize outstanding webtexts. Last year's winners were Jane Love ("MOO-Scream on its wayves to WOOmb SCREAMS") and Victor J. Vitanza ("CompoZing com_PLI_cating Processes"). According to co-editors Doug Eyman and James Inman, this year's Kairos Best Webtext Awards will also recognize exemplary webtexts reflecting the field of computers and writing.
They outline the following criteria for nominating webtexts for this competition:
- All webtexts must be publicly accessible via the World Wide Web. Hypertexts on CD-ROM are not accepted;
- Webtexts need not be published in Kairos to be eligible;
- Webtexts should reflect the field of computers and composition and may include scholarly examinations of key issues, as published in electronic journals; syllabi and course materials; conference websites and reviews; electronic forums for interaction; resource guides; and more;
- Webtexts should reflect outstanding work in both design and content, as each will be a key aspect of the evaluation process; and
- All webtexts considered for the 2000-2001 awards must have been authored and published on the Web between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2001.
Computers and Composition Awards (Computers and Composition)
Computers and Composition: An International Journal for Teachers of Writing offers three awards each year: 1) the Hugh Burns Award for the best dissertation, 2) the Ellen Nold Award for the best article in Computers and Composition Studies, and 3) the C&C Distinguished Book Award for the best book or large digital project work. See previous winners or information about how to nominate.
The K-16 Participation Award (The NCTE Assembly on Computers in English)
The Computers and Writing Conference is a wonderful opportunity for K-16 teachers and teacher educators to gain practical theory knowledge and experience. NCTE recognized this last year by sponsoring a luncheon with Eric Crump and Traci Gardner. This year, the NCTE Assembly on Computers in English will award a stipend to one conference participant presenting in the K-16 strand. The stipend will cover pre-conference workshop(s) and registration costs for the best proposal submitted.
The Kairos/Lore Computers and Writing Awards for TAs and Adjuncts (Bedford/St. Martin's Press)
Kairos, A Journal for Teachers of Writing in Webbed Environments (http://english.ttu.edu/kairos) and Lore, An E-Journal for TA and Adjunct Teachers of Writing (http://bedfordstmartins.com/lore) are pleased to announce the "Kairos/Lore Computers and Writing Awards for TAs and Adjuncts." With sponsorship from Bedford/St. Martin's, we will be offering three $500 awards to TA's and Adjuncts who are presenting at the Computers and Writing Conference, beginning this year, with CW2K1 at Ball State University and CW Online 2001.
These awards are based upon the three areas that guide a teacher's professional life: Service, Teaching, and Scholarship. We chose these areas because TA's and Adjuncts are in fact professionals who do work in these areas, but who face institutional constraints that often undervalue—or flat out don't recognize in some cases—the work they do. For many TA's and Adjuncts, their service, scholarship, and teaching often do not translate into simple acknowledgment, let alone higher pay, more travel funds, and better working conditions. More information is available.
The Technology Exemplar Award (The National Council of Teachers of English)
Presented, as occasion demands, to a person who has served or serves as an exemplar for teachers working with computer technologies in their classes and who represents the highest ideals of scholarship, teaching, and service to the entire profession. The award is presented at the annual Computers and Writing Conference by a representative of the CCCC Committee on Computers in Composition and Communication (7C's).
Technology Product Design Competition (McGraw-Hill Publishing)
Last year's winners were Daniel Anderson, Jan Rune Homevik and Cynthia Haynes, Chronicles Software Company, and the Center for New Media Education and Research of Georgia Institute of Technology. Krista Homicz and James Inman invite you to review
information on how to enter.
Web Around The World
What are some of the exceptional projects K-12 students are working on? McGraw-Hill Publishing is supporting this contest and awards ceremony. Contact Pat Nolan and Walt Turner for more information, or see the website!
CW Online 2001
Computers and Writing Online 2001, an online companion conference for CW2001, invites you to join its many activities and events. See the results! From 23 March to 31 May 2001, the computers and writing community will enjoy online activities which complement those at the onsite conference. Special events, demonstrations of online environments, and workshops are all planned. You're invited to attend and participate!
For more information, or to submit a proposal, visit Computers and Writing Online 2001.
Archives
The Computers and Writing Conference has a strong history. If you're interested in learning more about hosting the conference see the 7Cs page (CCCC Committee on Computers in Composition and Communication). You may also be interested in the C&W Pictures archive or the Online Conference archive.
Previous Announcement-Like Messages
Previous Onsite Conferences
See also the companion conference archives.
Rich Rice | ||
John F. Barber Hugh Burns | ||
Linda Hanson Web Newbold | ||
John Slatin Wayne Butler Locke Carter | ||
Trent Batson | ||