Server space at WSUV

Per our discussion on Wednesday, here are the details for getting access to your own server space via WSU Vancouver's DTC program (please thank Dr. Grigar for this service, if you use it).

Anyone enrolled in a DTC class this term will have 15 gigs available to them. To upload material to that server, open up your FTP client (Cyberduck for Mac, Filezilla for PC) and connect to the domain:

www.dtc-wsuv.org

Log in: first initial of your first name + last name (e.g. dgrigar)
Password: The last 4 digits of your Student ID

From there, it's a similar process to moving files around on your local computer. In Filezilla, for example, you will see a list of local files on the left-hand side of the screen and places to put those files on the DTC server on the right. Just highlight where you want the file to go on the right and then double-click on the left. You should see the file appear in the new spot as well as remain in the old.

Please try this out and bring questions about the process to class on Wednesday. Thanks!

- Prof Brett

iPad ... in case you missed it

David Sedaris on language and symbols

This David Sedaris audio excerpt, from a piece called "Six to Eight Black Men," provokes thoughts about language, stereotypes, foreigners, small talk, onomatopoeia and traditions, including the stories we pass down from generation to generation. And it is really funny.

Memory exercise on video

Alyssa Andersen
Erik Cummings
Rick Fisher
Rebecca Fraser
Ashley Gonder
Aida Koric
Ernest Leduc
Elena Mahrt
Cathy Manwell
Terri Mason
Eduard Nagornyy
Henry Ortega
Jon Perry
Geoffrey Wallace
Nicolas Wilson

Full pdf of "The Medium is the Massage"

Ran across this posting of a full pdf version (we are reading just a portion) of "The Medium is the Massage" by Marshall McLuhan and Quentin Fiore. If you want to look over the rest of it, try here: "The Medium is the Massage".

Did You Know 4.0

An "official update to the original 'Shift Happens' video. This completely new Fall 2009 version includes facts and stats focusing on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology, and was developed in partnership with The Economist. For more information, or to join the conversation, please visit http://mediaconvergence.economist.com and http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com."

Created by XPlane consultants, based in Portland, OR.

A Vision of Students Today

This video -- created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University -- suggests that modern classrooms need to evolve with the times and technology.

Opening survey

Please take this quick survey to help us get to know each other better. Thanks!

Survey

- Prof Brett

Welcome to Language, Texts and Technology!

This blog will be a clearinghouse for all of the basic material related to our spring 2010 class at Washington State University Vancouver. It will be essential for you to check here regularly to access your assignment instructions and keep up with current events related to our discussions. I recommend that you "follow" this blog, by clicking on the button on the bottom right of the page, which will alert you when new content is posted.

I will be using Twitter, too, to share links of interest, and the Google group, linked to the right, will be incorporated in our asynchronous class discussions. It is most convenient with Google to have a gmail account, so I highly recommend getting one of those and a Twitter account.

I highly recommend that you "follow" me on Twitter at @ProfBrett. If you want to follow my other Twitter account as well, which focuses more on mobile and new media, and is optional, that is at: @BrettOppegaard.

Looking forward to a great semester,

- Prof Brett