Michael Moore
Pedagogy & Technology Coordinator
Writing, Rhetoric & Discourse
362 SAC
mmoore46@depaul.edu
(773) 325-4867
People First, Then Pedagogy, Then Technology
In First Year Writing at DePaul, we explore a range of print and digital communication technologies in the service of our learning outcomes. It’s a good fit. For example, any number of technology interfaces can help us engage students in developing relationships with readers, evaluating texts in multiple genres and media, and developing flexible strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proof-reading.
In these and other cases, we think that technology can be integrated in the First Year Writing curriculum critically and mindfully while still allowing and encouraging teachers to teach from their own strengths; we think that good writing pedagogy should lead technology, not the other way around.
There are many forms of support and collegial interaction for these efforts:
Priority Checklist for New Faculty:
Review “Teaching with Technology Guidelines” in FYW Handbook
Review “Getting Started” > Popular Services and Resources for Faculty Explore Multimodal composing & Digital Literacy in First Year Writing at DePaul Consider D-WRD Workshop & Session opportunities, where you can interact with colleagues on a wide range of teaching-with-technology issues: software platforms and their relation to literacy practices and events; digital writing portfolios; multimodal composing, and more.
Resources for Teaching with Technology
Computer classrooms
WRD computer classrooms
The department maintains two computer classrooms — 300 and 301 SAC. Before each academic quarter, the Associate Director of FYW sends out an invitation to those wishing to teach in this computer classroom. Contact Michael Moore (pedagogy and “how-to”) for more information.
If you ever have a technical problem in those rooms, visit wrd.depaul.edu/help and fill out the form. Do not contact “The Help Desk” or anyone outside the department about WRD computer classrooms — as these teaching and learning spaces are not supported by other university units.
Laptop classes: the department and the First Year Writing Program is leading a campus initiative to offer courses where students are required to bring their own personal laptops. Before each academic quarter, the Associate Director of FYW sends out an invitation to those wishing to teach in laptop-required classes. Contact Michael Moore (pedagogy and “how-to”) for more information.
University computer classrooms
The university maintains several PC classrooms in Lincoln Park, the Loop, and at suburban campuses. With sufficient prior planning, you can reserve a PC classroom for an entire academic term — usually limited to one day per week — or for intermittent use. For example, you might want to plan ahead to work with students on Digication, our digital-portfolio platform. If you ever have trouble in one of the computer labs or classrooms, contact the Technology Support Center (TSC) at x2-8765 if it is not a classroom emergency, or x2-5900 if it is a classroom emergency. PC classrooms locations and reservations.
University Technology Platforms
D2L (short for “Desire2Learn”): DePaul’s Learning Management System beginning in 2011, where you can post a syllabus, course materials, manage discussion forums, assign and collect assignments, and manage media such as web sites, video, and audio files. The platform also comes with a chat function, surveys, and rubrics.
- Quick Start Guide
- D2L one-on-one support & training: FITS
- D2L tutorials: DePaul Teaching Commons
- DePaul Faculty Instructional Technology Services (FITS)
Digication: Depaul’s digital portfolio platform, which supports a conventional select-design-reflect-present format for student work and reflection:
- Digication @ DePaul
- Digication on First Year Writing site (introducing, guidelines, grading, considerations)
- Digication: First Year Writing (gallery, history, student resources)
- Digication: Teaching Commons
- Digication: UCWbL
Resources & People
D-WRD: D-WRD Meetings — 300 SAC — 10-11 a.m.
Digital WRD is a professional-development working group and community of practice that meets twice a month, 1st and 3rd Fridays, to discuss — and to develop a culture of mutual support for — teaching with technology, with attention to access, equity, and agency. Everyone is welcome!
- D-WRD home
- D-WRD contact: Michael Moore
Software for your personal computers at healthy discounts
Online software training — video, audio, graphic design, web design, etc.: lynda.com
Media Production and Training (MPT): software and technology training for faculty, students, and staff.
- MPT contact: mpt@depaul.edu
Information Services: we usually interact with IS when we’re having a problem: log-ins, password problems, Campus Connect, etc. Luckily, they are a well prepared unit:
- Wireless access (use “depaulsecure”)
- Help Desk/Technology Support Center (TSC): 312-362-8765 or tcc@depaul.edu
DePaul Faculty Instructional Technology Services (FITS): instructional design and development, faculty technology training and support.
- FITS contact: Bridget Wagner, Instructional Technology Consultant — bwagner7@depaul.edu.
Teaching Commons: workshops, conferences, resources, course design, research on teaching, D2L and Digication resources
- Teaching Commons Contact: Erin Sella, Assistant Director for Teaching Support in the Office for Teaching, Learning & Assessment