Tech Learning Modules

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Travers Scott

For THATCamp New Orleans, I propose a problem-solving session on developing technological skills-training modules that could be inserted in a variety of humanities courses. Typical semester-length classes devoted to learning software applications quickly become outdated, and campus tutorials or workshops are taught in isolation from course content, critical thinking, and creative applications.

We could identify and share relatively easy-to-learn, free, open-source software tools such as ArcGIS mapmaking, Sophie multimedia books, or Korsakow nonlinear video editing. Learning modules would be developed that were largely independent of specific course content or technological tool: a creative problem-solving assignment, question, or provocation that could be adapted to a variety of humanities disciplines, subjects, and digital tools. (E.g., “Use this technological tool to express multiple sides of an ethical dilemma in this field.”)

The goal would to be to develop short, one- or two-class digital technology modules that could be inserted into a syllabus, providing students with technological tools training from a distinctively humanities perspective, integrated with course content, and without laborious specialized training for the instructor.

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About Travers Scott

My humanities background includes a BFA in performance art (School of the Art Institute in Chicago, 1991), two published novels and a story collection, work at nonprofit galleries, arts journalism and appearances in Harper's and This American Life. My technology background includes working in advertising and brand strategy for high-tech clients, surviving Y2K and the dot-com boom/bust in Seattle, an MA in Digital Media Communication (UW) and PhD in Communication (USC) with a dissertation on technology and disease currently under review at NYU Press. I research and teach cultural studies of technology, gender, sexuality and other areas at Clemson University and direct our MA in Communication, Technology & Society. I once performed as a backup dancer for a drag queen presidential candidate.

4 Responses to Tech Learning Modules

  1. Doreen Piano says:
    May 13, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    I love this. It sounds great for an advance online writing class I’m teaching on digital media/humanities in the fall.

  2. Lisa Flanagan says:
    May 13, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    I have a few digital technologies (Prezi, VoiceThread, WordPress) I have incorporated into my courses over the past few years and would love to hammer out more specifics on how to give them a primer in the technologies themselves as they fit the assignments, especially since the free versions of these programs include certain limitations that need to be addressed and since we have no campus digital technology training resources for our students to get outside assistance. I’m happy to share the assignments themselves to show how the technologies are being incorporated into the particular course content, issues, and themes.

  3. Jaelle Scheuerman says:
    May 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    This topic is of interest to me from a technology services perspective. I would particularly be interested in discussing what kinds of technology resources are helpful to those who want to incorporate these modules into their humanities courses.

  4. Pingback: Digital Work as Engaged Service Learning | THATCamp NOLA (New Orleans) 2013

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