contemplating digital orality

Zappen, James P. “Digital Rhetoric: Toward an Integrated Theory.” Technical Communication Quarterly 14 3 (2005): 319-25.

Article Abstract:

This article surveys the literature on digital rhetoric, which encompasses a wide range of issues, including novel strategies of self-expression and collaboration, the characteristics, affordances, and constraints of the new digital media, and the formation of identities and communities in digital spaces. It notes the current disparate nature of the field and calls for an integrated theory of digital rhetoric that charts new directions for rhetorical studies in general and the rhetoric of science and technology in particular.

It is somewhat difficult to write up/review this article for key points, since it is an extremely brief and concise account of the key topic in digital rhetoric and the key scholars writing on these topics: a sort of literature review. However, it is valuable to me to look to what topics emerge as most relevant/important in digital rhetoric, what affordances and constraints it brings, etc. Read the rest of this entry »

An article I wrote over a year ago was published today in the Rocky Mountain Communication Review. While it was a rather lengthy gestation period from submission to publication, I am pleased to finally see it in print. It looks very good. Here it is in PDF form:

Barrow, Time. (2009) “New Media in the Online Classroom.” Rocky Mountain Communication Review V.6(1): 62-65.

This is the survey that I submitted to my Spring Semester Students on using Embedded Video in the Classroom. I incorporated the results into my ATTW presentation. These 10 questions represent a sort of test (or micro-) study. I will create a more in-depth survey to use to collect data for the dissertation. Read the rest of this entry »

I just got word that my paper “New Media in the Online Classroom: Delivering Content with Web 2.0 Technologies” was accepted (as-is) for publication in the Rocky Mountain Communication Review (RMCR) edition on “New Media, New Relations.” This online journal should be publishing around March 1.

The paper defines “new media,” considering what constitutes new media in our current age, perceived benefits new media offers, and what it means to be “new” media. The paper then focuses on the transition of a face-to-face class to an online environment and on through various iterations from delivery via Blackboard® to the addition of a supplemental Web site, and finally to its current form, which incorporates many instances of new media and Web 2.0 technologies. The paper examines the implications of such delivery methods and goes on to consider the most logical direction for additional research in this area.

Those of you that were present in my Day 2 Podcamp presentation got a snippet of what this is about. This paper represents the more thorough, formal, academic presentation of the concept/topic. Once it is live, I will add a link to it here.

A student wrote me last night with some excellent information for the class. All ASU students and faculty (anyone with an ASUrite ID) can download a little client (Mac or PC) to his or her desktop and use a ton of free software, including the major Adobe design apps, Dreamweaver, FrontPage, and other things like virus protection, FTP, etc. Here is the link (apps.asu.edU). I really cannot believe I did not know about this.

So, here’s the call for a post: Read the rest of this entry »