http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2006/06/2006062801c/careers.html
A group of humanities faculty at MCC have started to dialogue about the humanities and what they “are.” One of my colleagues and I are interested in how digital technologies have affected the production and consumption of the humanities. One issues that I have is with individuals who insist we teach the “canon” of literature, art, and other humanities. I guess my frustration comes from their assumption that because I teach “weird” or non-canonical texts I do not appreciate or respect the canon. I’m the first to argue that to understand the non-canonical, you have to understand the canon and what makes them different. But all of this doesn’t mean squat, unless, the students are motivated to read/view/listen to the canonical text in the first place.
All this to say that yes, I agree with this article on a number of points. Coleman retells his experience constructing a Power Point presentation about the beards of various Civil War learders. First, I agree with the need make playing with and learning new technologies fun! And why not double up and “play” with a new technology while also producing something “weird” that engages students in the topic. In other words, why not bring what is “hip” “new” and “cool,” esp with various digital technologies, into the classroom as a way to grab students and engage them in the course material.
