This course is about exploring active, collaborative, self-directed creative learning that is now possible via rich digital connections. As with all forms of learning, there are “literacies” of the digital world that allows us to be critical consumers of information and to have powerful voices in the public sphere. To learn more about the literacies needed to thrive in this learning-rich landscape, we need to dive in.
Thus, your two basic requirements for the course are that you:
- Actively pursue your own learning about digital literacies, regardless of your starting points, and to actively support the learning of others.
- Network with others around learning. You’re challenged to create a learning network through which you’ll connect with others about around profession, a cause you’re committed to, or a personal interest. Build this network on twitter and, when possible, by subscribing to blogs.
DUE DATES: All work is due at the start of class time. Pace yourself and spread things out over the week. Work out a calendar that works for your your unique schedule. There are multiple things due each week; doing them all at 4:00 on Mondays will obviously affect quality.
Late work will be accepted only if you negotiate a new deadline with me before the deadline. Because every assignment is designed to be part of supporting others’ learning, late work will not receive full credit unless an unexpected emergency kept you from meeting a deadline. I’m supportive in emergencies but expect upper division and graduate students to communicate with me so that I can be supportive.
Projects
Every week, you will do the following:
- Readings/ Videos with ANNOTATIONS of readings with hypothes.is (for readings other than books) or Vialogues (for two videos). Add at least 3 annotations on each required reading. Include disagreements, links to related materials, videos, images, questions on peers’ annotations. Aim to get all the way to the end of the article. Join the hypothes.is group at this link. Find directions for using the tool on the support page on this syllabus.
- Twitter: A tweet for each reading/ video and more if you choose to “level up” for a higher grade. Graduate students: Tweet also about your book circle book.
- Blogging: Two per week on course content and a third on your weekly play. Take content further to level up for a higher grade. Graduate students: Blog at least twice about your book circle books.
- Blog Commenting: On at least two classmate’s blogs per week.
- Weekly Play: Every week starting October 8 and ending November 26. Eight Total.
Other Assignments Due Later in the Quarter
- Course Portfolio. Draft due November 5, Final due December 3.
- Collaborative work on the course Text on Digital Literacies We’ll be creating a textbook for other faculty and students on engaging learning within new literacies.
On the question of privacy:
You may use a pseudonym for your public social media. So that you’re forming a cohesive (though anonymous) identity, you should use the same pseudonym across platforms. If you choose not to use your actual name in public work for this class, email Jane your pseudonym by the beginning of class on October 8. I will share this with the class.
Evaluation
Criteria for attaining the grade you wish to earn can be found on this rubric.
