Today I had the pleasure of sharing my work with the folks at San Diego Community College District. It was a mix of sharing inspiring examples, highlighting what’s possible with digital creativity, and exploring why these practices matter–all framed within my own digital educator journey, which began when I was an adjust using digital media to teach basic writing at Southwestern Illinois College (a community college in Belleville, IL). While the examples tend to steal the show, the underlying goal is to showcase how these practices can empower students and faculty in new and engaging ways. Additionally, I offer some concrete strategies for lowering barriers to success–helping both faculty and students be successful as they begin their now digital literacy/digital creativity/digital learning journeys.

I was presenting virtually (as I was on location at EDUCAUSE 2023 in Chicago) and during both the keynote and the workshop I was unexpectedly kicked-off the hotel internet (3 times during the workshop). Of course this was a major frustration on my end, but I used as a way of drawing attention to the very principles I was sharing. Technology will fail. Even when we are “experts” at certain things, things don’t always go our way. It is okay. Not ideal, of course, as I was the speaker. But ok. We have back up plans, prepare as best we can, and then just roll with the situation.

I was only booted from the meeting for a minute or so each time (probably lost total of 5 min across both hour+ long sessions) and the hosts were incredible at engaging the audience while I got back on. Also, I had shared my full presentation aid (Adobe Express webpage), which meant that people could actually revisit content, view examples, and the like while I battled an unexpectedly unreliable wifi connection. Things were disrupted, but it wasn’t the end of the world. It’s important to recognize that no matter what we do, there will always be some issue. Something won’t load for students. An application won’t work right on a classroom computer. A company might update software the night before you present/teach. These things happen and it’s okay (reminding myself as much as anyone else), because what matters is not the technology or the tool. As a teacher (and as faculty development lead) my motto has long been to put people first, be pedagogically focused and purpose driven. The tools (and their related potential issues) only matter in so far as how they help us accomplish our pedagogical goals, enhance/enable a particular learning experience, and/or invite us and students to engage with course content and practice in new ways. As such, we have to be flexible, open to change, and willing to embrace all the affordances and limitations when we head down a particular tech-necessary approach. Amidst the tech issues, I tried to reinforce those values.

Though, to be honest, I remain frustrated by the situation: the failure on the hotel internet and on how it disrupted, however slightly, what I had envisioned as the experience I was trying to provide. And now, next time, I will have backups for my backups. 🙂

Keynote: Empowering Faculty & Students Through Digital Literacy: Lowering Barriers to Success
https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/Cp5Ic6ymqwiQO

Workshop: Building Better Learning Experiences: Bringing Active Learning and Digital Literacy Together
https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/Lk4gITjNmDVqR