In which we present ‘Around the World in A. T. Ways’
Posted By Kevin Gaugler on September 22, 2008
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We could think of no better inspiration for a blog about the possibilities of technology than Jules Verne1. Often referred to as the father of science-fiction, Verne is the author of such novels as Journey to the Center of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days. Jules Verne’s fiction is, if nothing else, about pushing the boundaries of technology, about taking risks and about rethinking humankind’s relationship to its surroundings.
Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, SecondLife —it can be overwhelming to try to keep up to date on the many new technologies that appear with exponential frequency, let alone understand how to use them effectively and appropriately in our courses. Taking a cue from Around the World in 80 Days, Around the World in A.T. Ways constitutes an episodic text in which two language educators circumnavigate our educational world via emerging technologies. Above all, Dr. Kevin Gaugler, Associate Professor of Spanish at Marist College and Barbara Lindsey, Director of the Multimedia Language Center at the University of Connecticut, will explore the topic of online technologies in support of language learning and teaching, intercultural competencies and all things global.
With the help of our trusty community, we would like to guide you around the world of the new web. Each week Dr. Kevin Gaugler and Barbara Lindsey will explore socially mediated technologies with you and show how we can harness their popularity to engage all language learners, reinforce the 5 Cs and prepare students for life in a global, teamwork-oriented world. Join our interactive community by sending us your questions and sharing your experiences (text or voice): feedback@worldatways.com. You can also join us and others around the world via several “Web 2.0” networking sites as we engage, encourage and elaborate: Facebook, Del.icio.us, Ning and Twitter. And if that’s not enough, we’ll also host monthly live call-in shows using TalkShoe. Kevin and Barbara would love to take your questions and share your experiences navigating the world of a.cademic t.echnology.
So join us on our journey through new territories. No balloon required! If you’re not even sure which world we are talking about, watch this video by Canadian educator David Truss, introducing the new ecosystem for teachers now available on the web.
The wATw blog is underwritten by Cengage Learning in an effort to promote discussion about new technologies and their effect on language teaching, learning and higher education in general. We thank Cengage for making this trailblazing initiative possible and we hope it leads to a global discussion about our rapidly-changing profession.
1. This is considered a ‘B class’ wikipedia article. For more information, check out the discussion forum for this entry.
About the author
Kevin Gaugler
Kevin Gaugler is Associate Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Technology has always been part of the DNA of his teaching. As a graduate student, Dr. Gaugler began working in The University of Connecticut's state-of-the-art multimedia language center to research relationships between the 5Cs and instructional technology. While at Marist, he has developed a a FIPSE-funded course entitled Spanish and Technology and has helped to create Identity Quest, a course that rethinks technology and study abroad. He has presented his pedagogical innovations at numerous conferences and colleges in the United States and is the author of several monographs.Comments
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