The Future Directions Committee will meet with the fellows upon occasion to brainstorm. What we can do most practically in the short term. The new technology is compelling change and is not tied to specific sites. Writing and talking are the key modes and are an essential, valuable part of education. There seems to be no substitute for this which is done well in seminar sessions and classrooms.
Academic retreats are one way.
The committee wants to review what other distance education programs are doing to balance out the technology and critical engagement. Then they would like to report on it and discuss with the Executive Committee. Earlier this year, we have discussed the idea of a series of faculty symposia to engage the faculty in talking about some of the issues important to CLS such as distance education and adult development. We need some suggestions for key people to bring in as keynote speakers, ie Sir John Daniels. Pappas is willing to put into this whatever discretionary funds are available in CLS for our students and faculty.