I find this discussion fascinating in a number of ways. I also appreciate
the critiques of my thoughts. "Real" dialogue at last!
One of the things I find most interesting about this is the ability to
dialogue in a way so vastly different than traditional publication. I am
calling it "Alternative Publishing." I have always been frustrated by the
politics of publishing for the academy. And of course its association
with getting full-time work, tenure, etc. As some have suggested is the
trad. publication route really a dialogue or more of a monologue? (I'm
going to connect this to practice and the classroom in a minute.) I also
wonder about the idea that in the 21st century we will get "'credit' for
yakking on the Internet." You think? Nah. Those with the cultural
capital and an investment in the current power structure will not allow
that kind of participation by us unwashed masses.(Recognizing that some of
you are quite "clean" and part of that structure - **IT IS NOT MY INTENT
TO OFFEND ANY OF YOU IN THAT STRUCTURE** Critique of current practice is
ok isn't it?)
So I wonder what you all think about this idea of "alternative publishing?"
Now for the classroom. I am quite intrigued with the idea of giving up
the monological essay for a "real" on-line dialogue in a comp classroom.
Just think of the implications for "distance learning", which is a real hot
topic right now. You could have a comp class with students all over the
world in a system like this!! Just think of the polyvocality of that!!!!
What a concept!
This seems connected to the gentleman in SD who has been asked to develop a
distance comp class.
This also seems a way to move from the monologic essay and toward real
rhetorical practice and dialogue. Maybe this is the answer to "what do we
replace the essay with?" However, I wonder how this will be received by
those other departments who already suspect us of not really teaching
students to write?
Comments? Thoughts? I'd be interested in hearing from the gentleman who
said yesterday that he had given up the traditional essay for an on-line
dialogue. I assume you or the class pose questions or present topics and
have the class "go at it?"
Mike Hamende
hamendem@cts.db.erau.edu