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Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 1992 20:01:47 -0700
From:         James Crosswhite <JCROSS@OREGON.BITNET>
Subject:      Computer Travels

A few months ago, I posted a notice on MBU, saying that the
University of Oregon was considering setting up some
computer classrooms or labs for the teaching of writing--
mainly first year composition. As part of this
"considering," I had received a small grant to travel and
study the ways other campuses were using computers to teach
writing. I asked for advice about what campuses I should
visit, and what sorts of things I should keep in mind, and I
got a tremendous response.
  I want to say a public thank you to everyone who responded
to that posting and to everyone who invited me to visit. I
was and still am overwhelmed by your generosity. I only
regret that my travel budget wouldn't let me accept more of
your invitations. (Actually, there is a *little* more in the
budget--I may make another trip yet!)
  Someone asked me to post what I found out about what
different campuses were doing and what my criteria were for
choosing to visit the campuses I did. I wish I could, but
I'm afraid that's beyond me. My choices were made as much on
geographical and financial grounds as anything. And,
frankly, a lot of my choices had to do with what my travel
agent could do, what my schedule and my children could
stand, and so on. I did conclude a fine week of travel last
week that included visits to MTU's Department of Discourse,
Ohio State's Computers in Composition and Literature Program
(did I get that right?) and several of Purdue's labs. A
hearty thanks to everyone at these places for the really
extraordinary hospitality. I can tell you all that there is
some flesh and blood human kindness and respect that
sustains this virtual community (--and that Margaritas at
Bob Child's house are a great way to wind up a trip.)
  I'm in the process of typing up a proposal now, and I
thought that the least I could do for MBU would be to post
some of the results of my travels--some of the more or less
general "principles" I came up with--so that other people
could perhaps benefit from what my surmises, and so I could
benefit from any criticism people might have.
   I'll try to limit myself to one "principle" a day (max)
for the next few days, along with my application of the
principle to my situation--I'd appreciate any responses.
I'll post these under the "computer travels" subject heading
so you can easily skip them if you like. (Some of the people
I visited may recognize the alienated majesty of their own
thoughts here--not because they failed to express their
ideas, but because I have shamelessly stolen them. Of
course, some others may wonder why, despite their efforts, I
managed to get things so wrong.)

   First, computer classrooms/labs should increase the
choices teachers have rather than decrease them. This
principle applies to everything from furniture and layout to
classroom and lab scheduling. My own preference is for a
multi-use computer classroom, with machines around the
perimeter, rolling chairs, and tables in the middle of the
room. The tables can be moved together for a large group
meeting, or separated for small groups. No one has to talk
over or through machines, and the teacher can choose to use
the machines or not. The class holds all its meetings here.
(An less expensive alternative I will propose will have MWF
classes meeting in the lab 2 days a week, T-Th classes one
day a week.) In the evenings, the classrooms will function
as labs.
  This arrangement keeps teachers' choices fairly open. They
are not forced to use machines when they do not want to.
They are not kept away from them when they want to use them.
They can hold face-to-face large or small group meetings on
the same day students work with machines. They can change
their minds about how to use a class meeting if the
students' needs call for it. I would like to teach my
courses in such a room.
  There are disadvantages to such an arrangement, but I
think the advantages outweigh them. (For me, the greatest
disadvantage is that I can't use the attractive cluster
arrangement I saw in the gorgeous Mac lab at MTU.) A related
principle, which has a different application and which I'll
discuss later, is to keep users in control, and this
arrangement also follows that principle.
  Again, I'm hoping for criticism. This may not be what I
get, but I have to decide what to ask for.

Jim Crosswhite  jcross@oregon.uoregon.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU