Reading
Images on the World Wide Web
by Marguerite Helmers, UW Oshkosh
Much
attention has been given to website evaluation rubrics
of late, but students and teachers frequently overlook
the role images and site design play when assessing online
resources. Helmers suggests that "graphics, color,
sequence, and placement--the elements of the interface
itself--are significant to conveying information about
the author, subject, and veritibility of the pages."
She offers some suggestions for evaluating images and
symbols in web-based environments. (Jan. 2003)
The
Hatching of an OWL: The Development of the UW-Colleges Online
Writing Lab
by Sara Moellendorf, OWL Director, and Prof. Greg Ahrenhoerster,
Department of English, UW-Waukesha
Learn
about the genesis and structure of the Online Writing
Lab, which serves an expanding clientele of students at
all UW-Colleges campuses. Moellendorf and Ahrenhoerster
also discuss the particular benefits and challenges of
providing writing assistance in an online format.
E-learning
is Work(ing)
by Dr. Linda H. Straubel, Department of English, UW-Rock
County
Writing
instructor Linda Straubel argues, "Even the most
cursory review of articles on writing and e-learning reveals
that, despite its enormous momentum, computer-enhanced
teaching still has its naysayers." Straubel examines
some of the prevailing criticisms of e-learning and describes
her own efforts teaching hybrid courses. In Straubel's
experience, computer-enhanced sections of her composition
courses have actually performed better than traditional
sections. She examines some of the reasons for this outcome.
(May 2001)
Computing,
Composing, Communicating: A Conversation with Peter Sands
by Jennifer Smith, TTT Editor
Peter
Sands, Asst. Prof. of English at UW-Milwaukee, reflects
on how computers can be used effectively in the teaching
of writing and how the computer revolution has -- or hasn't
-- changed the act of writing. Sands offers an optimistic,
engaged, and measured view of the intersection of writing
and computing, urging us all to be critical users of technology.
(Oct. 2000)
Broadening
the Dialogue: UW-Stout's Diversity Connections Program uses
Technology to Expand Students' Experiences
by Jennifer Smith, TTT Editor
Discussion
of distance education abounds in today's academic world.
But how about "closing-the-distance"
education? Two innovative, enthusiastic professors from
UW-Stout have found a way to bring students together,
increase diversity, and expand the academic dialogue through
their new Diversity Connections Project. As co-directors,
Dr. Brian Fitch and Dr. Alec Kirby not only share their
subject areas with their students, but connect them with
peers at other colleges in the U.S. through two-way video
and the Internet. In this way, UW-Stout students are able
to learn with their peers at colleges demographically
and culturally different from their own. (June 2000)
English
in the Computer Classroom
Professor Cheryl Prentice
Department of English, UW-Superior
At UW-Superior, all of the English 099 classes (Developmental
English) meet in a networked computer classroom. As coordinator
of the developmental English program, Professor Prentice
decided to teach in the computer classroom after exploring
its possibilities and considering how they related to
current theory and practice in the teaching of composition.
Professor Prentice believes the nature of discourse is
being formed and modified by computers, and that students
need to be familiar with these forms and to have an opportunity
to help shape this discourse.