Technology Instruction
Computers, cellphones, the Internet, and other technologies are vital tools for writers, scholars, and teachers in the 21st Century, so we will make active use of a wide range of technologies for English 808. Since this is a technology course, we can’t just read about technology, we have to try it out so we gain a greater understanding of it.
But don’t worry if you are a technological novice, Dr. Pagnucci will provide lots of instruction for any student who needs help learning how to use a particular technological tool. Ideally, learning some new tech will be part of the fun of this course (even if it is a little bit challenging). And Dr. Pagnucci will be there to help so no one is left behind in the technological landscape! Hopefully, one of the extra benefits of English 808 is that being a student in the course will enhance your technological skills.
If you are more of an expert tech user, I hope this course gives you a chance to explore some new things. And perhaps you can lend a helping hand to a classmate or two as well. Dr. Pagnucci also loves learning new things from his students, and that has long been the case with technology, so please share your thoughts, ideas, tips, and tricks with everyone in the course. We can all learn about technology together, collaboratively.
Course Technologies
We will experiment with a wide range of technologies for this course. Below are some of the main ones we will use.
Audio/Video Technology
For your Technology Project Presentation, I will ask you to make a short audio/video recording which you can share with the class. We will also be looking at films and videos for the course and listening to some songs and audio recordings.
D2L Learning Management System (LMS)
When needed, some course readings may be stored in IUP’s D2L Learning Management System. Students may also be asked to use D2L to submit course assignments. Students will need to use their IUP login to access D2L.
Digital Readings
Many of the readings for this course will be available online.
Email Technology
Academia runs on email, and so we will discuss email and how to (attempt to) manage it as part of the course.
Presentation Technology
For your Technology Project Presentation, I will ask you to create a PowerPoint (or similar digital document) presentation.
Social Media Technology
We will discuss social media in the course and may make use of various social media apps.
Website Technology
Students will be asked to make a website for the course. Dr. Pagnucci will provide in class instruction on how to make a website.
Word Processing Technology
Students may use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to produce their course papers.
I’ve chosen these particular technological tools for the following reasons:
- These technologies are common in many workplaces
- These technologies are generally free or low cost
- These technologies are standard software on the IUP campus
- These technologies are very powerful with many features
- These technologies are highly useful for creating professional looking documents
- These technologies are easy to learn
Zoom Technology
Since this course will be taught asynchronously using Zoom technology, here is some helpful basic information about using Zoom.
Zoom Links
Any online synchronous class meetings will use Zoom technology.
- Zoom Classroom Meeting Link: https://iupvideo.zoom.us/my/pagnucci
- Zoom Classroom Meeting ID: 724 357 1701
- Zoom Phone Code: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 301 715 8592 (US Toll)
Zoom Etiquette
To help make our Zoom classes a bit friendlier, please keep your camera on whenever possible. It’s a much nice class when we can see each other’s smiling faces. If you have to connect via your phone or your camera isn’t working, you won’t be penalized, but please try to use your camera as much as you can. Dr. Pagnucci will normally keep his camera on too.
Also, please mute yourself if you are not speaking to avoid having background noise interrupt the class. In the case of noise problems, Dr. Pagnucci might temporarily mute people himself if necessary just to help ensure that everyone can hear the main speaker. (If you do forget to mute or unmute, don’t worry, that happens a lot too. We are all still learning to be experts on zoom.)
Zoom Problems
Zoom is great, but it isn’t perfect. If you experience connection problems during a class session, don’t panic. Just do the best you can to return. If you can’t make it back, Dr. Pagnucci will understand. Dr. Pagnucci will also record the Zoom sessions just in case anyone has problems.
Zoom Recordings
All Zoom class meetings will be recorded with captioning and saved to the cloud. Dr. Pagnucci will share a link to these recordings for students’ use only. Recordings are automatically deleted by Zoom after 120 days.