Digital Knowledge Faculty Initiative

Putting the word “digital” in front of “knowledge” or in front of “liberal arts” begs a whole host of questions: How do digital technologies change the ways we produce, disseminate and consume knowledge? Does social media indeed have a democratizing effect, as many have suggested? What inequities has it unearthed or enhanced? How are virtual spaces helping to enliven (or disengage us from) physical spaces?

And, importantly, when we say “digital knowledge,” how can we see knowledge as acting also upon the digital? What is the role for educators in helping construct new pathways into, out of, and around the digital?

A Community of Practice

In Fall 2017, the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies will gather together 6 – 10 UMW faculty and staff for a series of discussions and practical labs centering around Domain of One’s Own and this idea of “Digital Knowledge.” We will meet 7 times throughout the semester for two hours. The first hour will be dedicated to discussing historical, theoretical, and pedagogical foundations for our work together. Some of these will be chosen in advance, but many will be suggested by the group, allowing the trajectory of our conversation to emerge organically. During the second hour, we will work individually and in groups to design digital projects for a future course or educational experiences (with support from members of DTLT and the DKC).

A Continuing Cohort

Members of this faculty initiative will be paired with one or more instructional technology specialists in DTLT for continuing support of their project. They will have the opportunity to gather in the Spring to reflect on their work. And we will host a panel in late Spring 2018 as part of our series of Digital Liberal Arts events.  

August 30
“There Will Come Soft Rains”, “The Web We Need to Give Students”, Small Pieces Loosely Joined (preface and chapter one)

September 13
Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (also free on Netflix)

September 20
“The Work of Being Watched”, The Circle (excerpt sent by e-mail), Hasan Elahi‘s Surveillance Protest Art [link] [link] [link]

October 4
“The Big Uneasy: What’s Roiling the Liberal-Arts Campus?,” two short pieces by Dorothy Kim [link] [link], and Troy Paino’s Vision Statementfor UMW

October 25
“The Internet Map,” “Where the Internet Lives,” “How Is the Internet Changing the Way You Think?” (just pick 5 or so to read for yourself), “How the Internet Gets Inside Us,” “An Update on Brain Imaging Studies of Internet Gaming Disorder” by Aviv M. Weintsten (PDF)

November 15
Lora Taub-Pervizpour, “When Students Practice the Value of Voice” (a short taste of the kind of work Lora does), Lora Taub-Pervizpour, “Reclaiming the Web” (this is a longer talk Lora gave at the Domains conference — and the piece that inspired us to invite her here), Audrey Watters, “The Web We Need to Give Students” (this is one of my favorite pieces about Domain of One’s Own — many of you may have already read it, but I figured I’d add it to the list in case