The Meet Up! Selfe, McGee, Ericsson, and Shepherd

Scene:  Cindy Selfe, meets up Tim McGee, Patricia Ericson, and Ryan Shepard to address the pressing issue about how we still need to pay attention to technology and its usage in composition classrooms.  They are planning to conduct a conference for new composition teachers to discuss the issues and solutions they want to address in their workshops.

Selfe: Good morning everyone.  As you all know, I have been pressing the issue since 1999 that we should pay attention to the technology we use in our classrooms and the impact that it may have on our students.  It is now 2017 and I think we need to bring more awareness to new educators about the influences behind technology and how to minimize its impacts since we have even more invocations today.

Everyone nods in agreement.

McGee:  Well, I think we should present the progression of the technology movement.  For instance, let’s break our day into three sessions beginning with Cindy.  In her workshop, she can lay down the foundation of how technology literacy became a huge national project which promoted its usages as the next socioeconomic movement in America. 

Selfe: Yes, I can do that. 

McGee: Thanks, Cindy.

Then Ericsson interjects.

Ericsson: Okay.  I see the direction you going with this Tim. I think we should present next.  I believe since most teachers and composition students use MS Word software to compose their work, they we should address the invisible grammarian behind the software.  We should present the history behind the design and content of the software and its potential flaws that are imbedded in the MS Grammar and Style Checker.

McGee:  Great point.  We should also address that teachers do not have to completely throw out the baby with the bath water.

Everyone chuckles.

McGee: We need promote even though MSGC has flaws we should not stop using it.  Let’s lead them to the conclusion that they just need to examine it more closely and any other technology they plan to use in their classroom.  Our discussion will conclude with an action: teaching new teacher how to merge human intelligence when using technology-- not completely relying on it in its entirety.

Everyone nods in agreement.

Shepherd:  That’s sounds great so far.  I’ll wrap up the day with a workshop on how we can use rhetorical digital spaces as a tool in our classroom such as Facebook.  Many students use writing practices in composing a post, profile, and comment.  I’ll just bring aware to new educators how they can get their students to make the connection with how they are using writing conventions in a different median whether they realize it or not.

Selfe:  That’s great!  I am happy we all have shared our ideas and plans for the conference.  I think this conference will be an opportune moment given how more and more innovate technology are being introduce into society and classrooms everyday.