Astride the Divide: Mapping New Rhetorical
    Spaces in the Teaching of Composition
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Third Epiphany Project Institute
George Mason University, January 8-11, 1997
Co-Sponsored by Gallaudet University
Institute Chair: Judy Williamson, American University
Epiphany Project Director: Trent Batson, Gallaudet University
Funding for Epiphany from the Annenberg/CPB Project

Program WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8, 1997
4:00
Registration begins
5:00
Reception
Cash Bar
6:00
Dinner
Introductions and Orientation
"Your relationship to Technology," Distribute Epiphany Field Guide
  THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1997
8:00
Continental breakfast
Co-sponsored by Daedalus & Sixth Floor
Robinson A107 Lab open for independent work
9:00
Plenary welcome
Dr. David Potter, Provost, George Mason University
Dr. John O'Connor, Vice-Provost for Information Technology and Principal Investigator, Epiphany Project
Trent Batson and Judy Williamson: Overview of the Institute
10:15 STEP ONE - PREPARATION: Campus Stories
  University of Richmond: Joe Essid
Virginia Commonwealth University: Elizabeth Cooper, Ann Woodlief, Michael Keller
  American University: Andrew Higgins, Lee Karalis, Janet Auten, Bill Fleitz, Judy Williamson
Penn State Allentown: Claudine Keenan
Temple University: Frank Sullivan
  Michigan Technological University: Dickie Selfe
University of Maine-Presque Isle: Peter Sands
  Gallaudet University: Trent Batson, Greg Ritter, Dave Pancost
George Mason University: John O'Connor
11:30 Vendor Demonstrations
12:30 Lunch
Speaker: Steve Gilbert, Director, Technology Projects,
American Association for Higher Education
2:00 Hands-on Software Sessions
  Introductory Level :
DIWE: Bill Fleitz, Ruth Fischer, Pat Tyrer
Connect: Peter Sands, Stephen King
  Experienced Level:
Connect: Joe Essid, Ann Woodlief, Stephen King
DIWE: Trent Batson, Judy Williamson, Pat Tyrer
  Introductory Level:
CommonSpace: Claudine Keenan, Paul LeBlanc
Storyspace: Bill Condon, Deirdre McGlynn
  Experienced Level:
Storyspace: Peter Sands
CommonSpace: Andrew Higgins, Bill Fleitz, Jason Innes
3:15 Software Hands-on Sessions Repeat
4:30 Plenary Panel: Rhetoric of Electronic Text
Discussants: Trent Batson, Fred Kemp, Paul LeBlanc, Susan Romano, John O'Connor, Bill Condon
Moderator: Judy Williamson
5:30 Note: Session was canceled due to snow
Related Links Discussion Tables
  • Campus stories (from 10:15 session)
  • Software vendors
  • Epiphany site meetings
  Note: Session was canceled due to snow
"Education, Technology, and the Human Spirit:" Steve Gilbert, Trent Batson, Judy Williamson, and Bill Condon
6:30 Dinner on your own
  FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1997
8:00 Continental breakfast
Sponsored by Norton
Robinson A107 Lab open for independent work
9:00 STEP TWO: APPROACHES
Plenary summary: Trent Batson, Judy Williamson and Leaders
Plenary Speaker: Bill Condon
Portfolio/Webfolio Assessment
10:15 - 11:15 Concurrent Sessions I
  Face to Face in Cyberspace: Teaching Advanced Composition on the Internet
Virginia Montecino & Mary Lou Crouch, George Mason University
A brief review of our experiences teaching advanced composition using a variety of Internet tools--email, listserv, the Web--including what
worked, what didn't. Part of the time will be spent discussing the ways to individualize instruction for students doing specialized research and writing. Related sites include: Counter Culture, Cyberculture & Individual Expression & Virginia's Resource Page
  Writing, Research, and Making Knowledge in the Culture and History Classroom
Randy Bass, Georgetown University
This session will cover some of the issues and approaches related to using interactive multimedia in teaching culture and history. Looking at the World Wide Web and CD-ROMs, in particular, the session will consider some of the ways that writing and research can be enhanced using technologies that give students the ability to access, manipulate, and reproduce primary resources. (Sponsored by the American Studies
Crossroads Project)
  Teaching with the WWW
Greg Ritter, Gallaudet University, &
Elizabeth Cooper, Virginia Commonwealth University
Practical classroom applications of the WWW with an emphasis on the WWW as a research tool for writing classes.
  Computer-Assisted Sequenced Writing Tasks
Peter Sands, University of Maine,Presque Isle, &
Claudine Keenan, Penn State Allentown
Two instructors describe a wide variety of activities where computers enhance each stage of the writing process.
  Entering the Conversation:
Getting Started in Computers and Writing

Ruth Fischer, George Mason University, & Lee Karalis, Andrew Higgins, Janet Auten, and Judy Williamson, American University
This session addresses the questions/concerns of composition faculty with extensive expertise in teaching writing but limited experience with computer technology in the writing classroom. We will explore ways that current theoretical and pedagogical strengths can be applied to a reflective use of computer-mediated instruction.
  Super-Sites and Computers and Writing
Trent Batson, Gallaudet University, & Michael Keller, Ann Woodlief, Virginia Commonwealth University, & Joe Essid, University of Richmond
Explores how to form collaborative partnerships with other institutions to strengthen your own department's training efforts.
11:30 - 12:30 Concurrent Sessions II
  OWL (ON BOARD!)
Wilkie Leith, George Mason University
This session will explore the diverse and exciting field of electronic conferencing with students, faculty, and others through the use of OWLs (On-line Writing Labs). We will take a virtual trip to the GMU Writing Center, examine sample on-line conference sessions, and travel to selected OWL sites located world-wide. We will also discuss techniques for effective on-line feedback drawn from sound writing center research and pedagogy. Plan on lively and interactive exchanges of information!
  Computers & Training Students to Work in a WAC Program
Joe Essid, University of Richmond
This session, developed in collaboration with
Dona Hickey, also from the University of Richmond, examines the role of computers in a WAC-training program. Participants will explore the "syllaweb" and student projects from a course that trains undergraduate Writing Fellows for a WAC program.
  Teaching Writing with Technology: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?
Bill Condon, University of Washington
The co-author of Writing the Information Superhighway leads a hands-on session intended to explore the boundaries of what is currently practicable and look ahead to ways emerging technologies can support writing theory and pedagogy.
  Teaching Literature in a Computer Environment
Ann Woodlief, Virginia Commonwealth University
This session will consider pedagogical rationale and ways of using hypertext and electronic discussions to study
literature.

Session Notes

  Of Avatars and Memoirs: Collaborative Writing and Community-Building with Computers
Gail Matthews-DeNatale, Epiphany Project Consultant
Tapping into local culture and student life experience helps create collaborative learning communities of motivated writers. This session will introduce participants to two examples of collaborative, community-building computer writing projects:
Keepsakes and Dreams and Teach Us How to Play.

Session Notes

  From the Epiphany Institute to Institutional Epiphanies: Electronic Communication Across the Curriculum
Donna Reiss, Tidewater Community College
A discussion of ways we can extend the Epiphany Institute model: How can we share our experiences with colleagues in a wide range of disciplines? How can we initiate as well as support curricular changes that use computer-supported instruction effectively?

Session Notes

12:30 Lunch
Speakers: Susan Romano, University of Texas and Pam Takayoshi, University of Louisville
Gender and Technology
2:00 - 3:00 Concurrent Sessions III
  What can you do in a MOO?
Claudine Keenan, Penn State Allentown, & Peter Sands, University of Maine, & Judy Williamson, American University
This session explores Multi-User environments as teaching spaces, offering strategies for writing instruction.
  Authentic and Ersatz E-Mail for Instruction
DonnaReiss, Tidewater Community College, & Cathy Simpson, Northern Virginia Community College, & William Fleitz, American University
Using Internet e-mail, LANs, non-networked labs, or even a
single computer, students can develop learning partnerships to strengthen reading, writing, and thinking as well as retention. This workshop models an epistolary pedagogy adaptable to a variety of learning environments.

Session Notes

  Taming the Sirens of Cyberspace: Epiphanies in a Daedalus Lab
Fred Kemp, Texas Technical University & Trent Batson, Gallaudet University
Two of the leading figures in creating the networked classroom will focus on some key pedagogical devices that find interesting variation using a group discussion tool. This presentation summarizes Batson's and Kemp's experiences founding and directing computer-based writing efforts. They'll discuss pragmatic concerns regarding resources, class scheduling, selection of teaching personnel, freedom and responsibility in developing syllabi, and technical support. Additionally, they'll talk about certain administrative seductions that, while not impossible to succeed at, closely resemble stepping off a cliff.
  Moving Higher Education Online, or,
This Train Has Left the Station -- But Where Is It Going?

Bill Condon, Washington State University
This session takes a look at
Virtual Washington State University.
  Gender and Technology Issues
Susan Romano, University of Texas at Austin & Pamela Takayoshi, University of Louisville
Following lunch presentation, this will give participants interested in further discussing issues related to "boys, girls and toys" a chance to interact with Pam and Susan.
  Un/Common Ground: The Cold War Between Faculty and Technologists
Michael Keller, Virginia Commonwealth University, &
Sydney Sowers, University of Alabama
As academic professionals who work in both faculty and technological support roles, we often find ourselves mediating between "technological interests" and "faculty/student interests." In this light, we will discuss the problems and successes of using and supporting computer technology in our respective English departments. We will then ask the audience to discuss strategies and solutions to help faculty and technologists at their institutions work more collaboratively.
3:15 STEP THREE, EVALUATION
  Plenary Discussion: Evaluating Work with Computers:
Discussants: Gail Matthews-DeNatale,Trent Batson, Bill Condon, Fred Kemp
Moderator: Judy Williamson
4:30 Related Links
Discussion tables:
  • Bill Condon, Virtual Washington State University
  • More campus stories
  • Epiphany site meetings
5:30 Reception
6:00 Dinner
Speaker: Fred Kemp
'Hard Fun': Networks and The Possibility, Just Maybe, of Non-Coercive Formal Learning
  SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1997
8:00 Continental breakfast
Robinson A107 Lab open for independent work
9:00 STEP FOUR: DISSEMINATION
Plenary Summary: Trent Batson, Judy Williamson and Leaders
Plenary Speaker: Richard Selfe
Making Progress Within Local Contexts

Read Originally Planned Session Notes or Session Summary

10:15 - 12:15 Participant Discussion Group Meetings

Sample Session Notes from Joe Essid's Discussion Group
(posted on Univ. of Richmond server)

12:30 Lunch
Speakers: Nancy Kaplan and Stuart Moulthrop
Hypertext Design, Composition, and Meaning
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