When online discussions break down, we often point the finger at the illusive troll or identify behaviors we would describe as trollish. In my research I’ve been studying literacy practices in online, social spaces. In this context, I need to come to terms with the role of trolling and these anti-social behaviors. This post will unpack…
This week I spent some time actually scrolling through my Facebook feed and came across a post in which a friend shared a video of what was labeled as “Antifa on traffic duty in Portland, Oregon” from the Facebook Page for The Conservative Treehouse. The Conservative Treehouse has been described as posting “conservative-leaning stories that sometimes…
Much of my research focuses on the literacy practices of individuals in online and hybrid spaces. This means that I study the ways that people use technology and digital spaces to read, write, communicate, and socialize. I purposefully study “people” from infancy up to adulthood. I think this is important so I can better understand…
Children are meant to play games, chat with friends, tell stories, and mimic the social practices they see in the world around them. As they enter schools and learning systems, they continue this indoctrination into society as they study history, math, literacy, and build the content knowledge they’ll need to be empowered, productive members in…
In recent readings, research, and discussions, the topic of “trust” has come up. This could involve questions about how do we know whether we can trust information from a source our individual. This involves questions about building trust in an organization. This has also included questions about building trust with others in a relationship on…
My Wife and I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run last April with 27, 461 other finishers. It was our first 10K road race and a goal of ours after finishing several 5Ks. Road races are a big deal in our local area as the weather is “nice” throughout the year. The biggest race of…
Assistive Technology (AT) is an entrenched aspect of the educational process. All individuals who play a role in the adoption, application, and acceptance of AT in the classroom must be considered. The role of the school systems and teachers who are Individual Education Team (IEP) members has long been acknowledged. Notwithstanding, the role of the…
The intersections between learning, technology, and media are often the scene of tumult and change. These digital texts and tools provide groundbreaking advantages, and opportunities to information that cannot be underestimated. The Internet, video and music sharing sites, social media and mobile phones have quite literally changed our world forever. Sadly, this ubiquitous communications technology…
When I teach classes, or present at workshops, there are often questions about the different names and perspectives in the field. I studied in the New Literacies Research Lab, and helped write, research, and develop in the various aspects of new literacies. I’ve also written a lot in the labels or fields of multiliteracies, web…
Alan Levine recently posted a series of questions to help others think through some of thoughts and motivations as we develop and maintain a domain of our own. I’ve written a lot about this in the past, and I’ll try to include some links to content/posts as I respond to the prompts. This is a…