What does it mean to “write” in digital environments - using digital tools?

As we discussed yesterday in the Web 2.0 learning community - sci fi is “written” through computer games, video games, machinima, secondlife communities…

Forms of visual and aural articulations produced online are infact narratives - we know this.

So when genres of writing, music and film merge at the computer interface - what are we “writing” and how do we teach skills of “reading” in this environment?

Does this make traditional writing redundant - no! We still have to write - so why are we creating the illusion for our students that they wont have to write?

Are we?

Who took Pedagogy out and put Technology in to replace it?

cyberdiva.org » Use of Secondlife in WS780/COMS780 Feminist Research Methods (summer 2007

My team has set up the stream at

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Brouwer/88/173/43

Since none of us can be online at 9 am today - we wont be able to troubleshoot or to check if it is streaming.

Only play the video - do not play the music (or it will be totally confusing).

The screen looks like a huge sheet of fabric (of course) - you’ll figure out where its play ing once you get in.

I am asking my team to lay out some cushions - but really you can sit anywhere you like if you can see the videos.

see image to get a sense…

The archives aren’t updated yet - but when they do you can find the discussion…

Meanwhile - cutting and pasting a part of my most recent post to invite anyone in-world to IM me to be a part of the group I am forming.

THIS discussion is to me about SL education and how we as educators can use these tools (if we must) responsibly and to explore if this medium is indeed enhancing or hampering our ability to pedagogically negotiate the complexities of representational practices world wide. When are we as educators part of the solution and when do we become part of the problem?

I am starting a group on SL on the politics of representation and pedagogy - anyone interested should IM me inworld - rad Zabibha.

This fall I teach a course on Pedagogy at the grad level and hope to have them participate in an SL based assignment that will include this group and discussions with them. Therefore the group is about more than “SLED” - it is about Pedagogy and representational practices.

wrote the post I wanted to write here on SLumming…

Understanding through doing…. the assignment emphasis was less on techical expertise of website building (most of the builders are beginners) and more on attempting to convey the concept that came from the client (as interpreted and understood by each of the groups based in their socio-cultural contextual locations). Is there a concept without an interface?

Feedback from readers is most welcome (you can email me or post to the blog’s comments)

Kang and Shuang’s DAMA site

[our client LT had this to say about the website - "I really like the website as the process and product are well represented. Visuals are overpowering the information. But the information given is very good in terms of stressing the point that handlooms are better than other power driven mill fabrics without an apologetic tone."]

Anca, Bridget and Erin

[our client's final overview comments on this one - "It is a well designed website. Home page gives a clear indication of the nature of the industry and also explains the characters of handloom fabrics at a glance. It is a wee bit patronizing and also it could have stressed on the fact that the fabric is as stylish and contemporary as the fabrics the consumers are using today."]

Andy, Jacob, Mark

[client's comments - DAMA and Products page although starts with a question but flows into a good description of handloom process and industry. But the products itself were very not communicative enough.

The page on the community is very innovative and would encourage a healthy dialogue.

I also like the narrative as it explains the process and its advantages in a good articulate way. Home page is well done and I like the understated feel although there are a few spelling mistakes.]

Dan and Dexin

[client feedback - The main page is very good as the products are featured and it communicates the product effectively.

The potential buyer’s page gives both the buyer and DAMA a very good platform to establish contact, interact and take the business further.]

Amy, Brett, Nikki

[The sub heading ‘Weaving made Natural’ is very good although it sounds as if we made the technology natural but it gets the point across.

Product representation is very good with details of the fabric quality and aesthetic.

Although there is a whole page dedicated to the Natural dyeing process, there is confusion in the product range as the product ranges shown in the web site are both chemical dyed and natural dyed.]

Professor Wiebe Bijker, Chair of the Department of Technology and Society Studies at the University of Maastricht, Netherlands, is “visiting” my class during the month of March. He will be “meeting” us at http://www.cyberdiva.org/729, where members from my Grad class (COMS 729) as well as some of my Phd advisees and my NGO collaborators from Hyderabad India will engage him in discussion about his work in “Social Construction of Technology (”SCOT”) for which he is widely known.

Dr. Bijker’s website is at

http://137.120.191.229/public/websites/bijkernieuw/

It is a closed discussion with my class in the context of their coursework, of course.