Welcome – Faculty Academy 2008
One of the spring events that I’ve come to look forward the most is the Faculty Academy for Teaching and Learning at the University of Mary Washington. This year I’ll be attending as an “esteemed guest presenter” and sucking in all the energy and creativity that event fosters. I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of such innovators as Alan Levine and Barbara Ganley and trying to figure out what I can add to the mix that will justify the invitation.
One contribution that I might make to the gathering is a bona fide historical artifact. I can talk persuasively about such topics as why the Commodore Vic 20 is a better home computer than the Apple II or a lament about why no one has been able to come up with a laptop that’s even close to the functionality of my Radio Shack Model 100.
One of the nice things that the organizers of the faculty academy provide is a widget that gives the countdown to the event. (29 days, 16 hours and 17 minutes as I start writing this.). The countdown serves as a constant reminder that I have a workshop and presentation to do in front of a whole bunch of people, most with laptops connected to Twitter and who aren’t afraid to use them! I’ve always felt a responsibility to try to connect when I’m making a presentation, and the special place that the Faculty Academy has assumed in the Academic Technology community really turns up the heat to contribute something meaningful. As a genuine historical artifact, my first thought for a workshop title is “Ten Ways You Can Use Vi to Get More Done and Enjoy Life More!” But then, I’ve got 29 days 15 hours and 30 minutes to reconsider.
Gene,
I’m working on a secret device that we can activate at will if the Twitter back channel gets to rowdy. It resembles a wooden ruler I have on my desk, but I can’t really say more. 🙂
No Osborne? I’m shocked, shocked. And now I know that my own plans for a scale-model ENIAC will seem a poor attempt to steal some of your thunder. So I give up. And I say “welcome to the inspiration for the Bluehost Experiment–and much besides.”
Most of all, I say: “Techfoot, bring it on!!” Can’t wait. That little widget needs to move faster (though I know that’s not how a presenter feels!).
I’m envious, Gene! Faculty Academy still reigns as one of the best thinking-deeply-about-teaching events I have ever attended. I took away far far more than I gave. This year I wish I could be in that audience, Twittering away, swapping links, hanging out with fabulous people and listening to you and my good friend, Barbara Sawhill, wax rhapsodic. I’ll be there in spirit!