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cfp: Special Issue on Learning in Virtual Worlds
by jeremy hunsinger 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Apologies for x-posting-jh CALL FOR PAPERS special issue of Learning, Media and Technology issue theme: Learning in Virtual Worlds Edited by Jeremy Hunsinger and Aleks Krotoski Virtual worlds are learning worlds. There is substantial evidence that people learn in virtual worlds. While most learning in these spaces is informal, existing outside the school curriculum, formalised learning environments have also been developed in textual worlds, MOOs, MUSHes, MUDs and multi-media spaces like ActiveWorlds(R), Second Life(R), World of Warcraft (R) to support educational goals in primary, secondary, higher and lifelong learning contexts. The extensive writings on virtual reality and virtual worlds over the past four decades have covered the breadth of the phenomena and experiences of learning via CMC in these situated spaces; this call for papers seeks scholarship that builds upon and extends those accounts. We seek research that deals with learning and research in social networks or among friends, learning through play, learning through artistic creation and learning in unconventional virtual realities. We seek papers that examine learning or modes of learning that occurs in unexpected ways. For example, workshops have been transformed with the inclusion of new materials, like clay or other art equipment, encouraging participants to express themselves through different modes of communication. Such physical practices mirror the opportunities afforded in virtual environments, increasing potential outcomes by breaking down borders of expression, creating a place for play, and expanding discourse. We seek research that aims to capture similar alternative practices in learning within virtual worlds. While all forms of scholarship and research are welcome, we prefer theoretically and empirically grounded study in the social or behavioral sciences. We seek a special issue that exemplifies methodological pluralism. The use of visual evidence and representations is also encouraged. Submission guidelines: This special issue is edited by Jeremy Hunsinger and Aleks Krotoski. Please contact them at jhuns(a)vt.edu and akrotoski(a)yahoo.com to discuss your submissions. The editors welcome contributions from new researchers and those who are more well-established. Submitted manuscripts will be subject to peer review. Length of papers will vary as per disciplinary expectations, but we encourage papers of around 6000 words. Short discussion papers of 2000 words on relevant subjects are also welcomed for the 'Viewpoints' section. Learning, Media and Technology submission guidelines and referencing styles will be followed [see: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/17439884.asp ] The guest editors will consider papers received by March 15, 2009. Fewer than 10 papers will be accepted. The special issue will be published in early 2010. Please send papers to jhuns(a)vt.edu, clearly indicating that your submission is for the Special Issue on learning in virtual worlds. Jeremy Hunsinger Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Virginia Tech Information Ethics Fellow Center for Information Policy Research Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality. -Jules de Gaultier () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

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Collection of social network site usage statistics
by Michael Zimmer 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

Saw this on Jim Jansen's blog (http://jimjansen.blogspot.com/2008/12/are-you-looking-for-statistics-about.… ), and thought many here would benefit: Social Networks Site Usage: Visitors, Members, Page Views, and Engagement by the Numbers in 2008 <http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/11/19/social-networks-site-usage-vi… > Enjoy. mz -- Michael Zimmer, PhD Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies Associate, Center for Information Policy Research University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee e: zimmerm(a)uwm.edu w: www.michaelzimmer.org

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Doctoral Research Study on Blended Learning
by cristina costa 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

Dear All, I apologise for cross posting If you are involved in blended learning or know someone who is please take a look at the message below and get in touch with Nellie Deutsch. She would love to talk to you about your expereinces in this field. Please let's cooperate concerning our research projects. This is a great opportunity to do that. Thank you. I wish you Happy holidays, if you are celebrating this seasion. Best wishes, Cristina If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pjbsVbuI-lDxOUbt9yvgWRw Doctoral Research Study I am a researching blended learning in higher education. I would like to interview instructors who blend e-learning with face-to-face instruction in higher education in the US and other countries. The interviews will be conducted online via virtual technologies. If you use blended learning or know someone who does, please email me at nelliemuller(a)email.phoenix.edu Thank you. Nellie Deutsch ------------------------------ * Required Name Do you blend e-learning with face-to-face instruction in higher education? * Blended Learning in Higher Education No Yes Please write your email if you are willing to be interviewed on how you use blended learning. Powered by Google Docs <http://docs.google.com> Terms of Service <http://www.google.com/accounts/TOS> - Additional Terms<http://www.google.com/google-d-s/terms.html> -- Cristina Costa Site: www.knowmansland.com Blog: http://knowmansland.com/learningpath Skype: navysternchen Twitter: cristinacost

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Undergrad panel for IR 10.0
by Mark D. Johns 20 Dec '08

20 Dec '08

A few weeks ago I posted a note indicating that I would attempt to organize an undergraduate panel for IR 10.0 in Milwaukee. I've got three papers so far, and have space for a few more. In order to make the IR 10.0 submission deadline, I'll need to have them no later than Jan. 26. Once again, this is *NOT* a paper competition (see the Couch Award call at www.cccsir.org if you’re interested in that), and I don’t have time to read and "judge" hundreds of undergraduate papers. But I’m willing to put something together IF I can get a little help from all of you in this way: As you are grading papers at this end of the semester, if you come across an undergraduate’s paper that... 1. Is truly an EXCEPTIONAL paper dealing with QUALITY internet research (you be the judge), and 2. It is likely that your institution would fund the student next fall to get to Milwaukee to present it, and 3. The student is a traditional, 18 to 20-something undergrad -- OR, if a non-traditional student, an undergrad who might be in a position to go on to grad school with this sort of encouragement... ...then talk to the student about it, and if s/he is willing, send me their paper electronically. CLEARLY mark the message as an UNDERGRAD PANEL SUBMISSION. NO GUARANTEES! The panel will be submitted to be considered and accepted (or not) through the regular IR 10.0 vetting process. There’s probably room for about 6 or 8 papers max (I assume undergrad papers are short), and if I receive more than about a dozen I’ll probably throw up my hands and forget the whole thing. But if there are really, really OUTSTANDING undergrad papers in that stack that you are grading, see if the student is interested and if your school will pick up the tab to send them if accepted. If so, send the paper to me by Jan. 26 and we'll see what happens. -- Mark D. Johns, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Communication Studies Luther College, Decorah, Iowa USA http://academic.luther.edu/~johnsmar/ ----------------------------------------------- "Get the facts first. You can distort them later." ---Mark Twain

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2 minute survey from National Academies on what's important 2 u
by jeremy hunsinger 20 Dec '08

20 Dec '08

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/85927/what-matters-most-to-you-c jeremy hunsinger Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Virginia Tech Information Ethics Fellow, Center for Information Policy Research, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (www.cipr.uwm.edu ) wiki.tmttlt.com www.tmttlt.com () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.stswiki.org/ sts wiki http://cfp.learning-inquiry.info/ Learning Inquiry-the journal http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series

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JVWR: Call for Think Pieces
by Mia Consalvo 20 Dec '08

20 Dec '08

Apologies for cross posting. Email me off list if you have questions about the call. Mia ************************************** The Journal of Virtual Worlds Research (http://jvwresearch.org) is soliciting "think pieces" in response to the following questions: "In thinking about the spaces of virtual worlds, and the practices we witness within them, how can we define what counts as culture? Can we see any common cultural trends emerging in different virtual worlds, or are practices as disparate as the worlds and groups we find within them?" The formatting guidelines are: * 1000-1300 words total * The "think pieces" are brief essays or papers intended to spur discussion amongst the scholarly community. * The pieces should aim to ask provocative questions for future research and debate, rather than provide definitive answers. * We encourage the use of visual aids such as images, video clips, or links to content in virtual worlds. * Abstract (no more than 300 words) and keywords (a minimum of 3) * APA Style (unless it is inappropriate for the type of essay being submitted) * The website currently only accepts .doc and .rtf formats. * Single-spaced The deadline for submissions is: January 9, 2008, 5pm CST Please send your submissions directly to: Mia Consalvo consalvo(a)ohio.edu and Mark Bell typewritermark(a)gmail.com -- Mia Consalvo, Ph.D. School of Media Arts & Studies (formerly the School of Telecommunications) Ohio University 9 South College Street Athens, Ohio 45701 USA 740.597.1521

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The Internet way of Dying
by Pearse Stokes 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

The Internet way of Dying article is up here: http://cyberanthropology.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/the-internet-way-of-dying/ I hope people find it interesting and let me know what they think (you must all be sick of hearing this!)

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SSCR special issue on Mobile Surveys
by Katja Lozar Manfreda 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Dear all: The Call for Papers for the Social Science Computer Review (SSCR) special issue on mobile surveys has been released. See http://www.mobileresearch09.com/index.php/page/journal-coverage for more information. Papers can be submitted by participants of the MRC (Mobile research) conference (http://www.mobileresearch09.com/) and also by others. Best regards, Katja Lozar Manfreda MRC conference programme committee member University of Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia

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Looking for Online Research Platforms or Virtual Research Environments
by Tanya Notley 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Hello all, My apologies if this has been asked many times before; I could not find anything in the archives. I am wondering if anyone knows if any free or cheap closed (secure) research platforms have yet been created for research collaborations. Specifically, I'm looking for an appropriate platform that can be used and customised by Third Sector Organisations. It should include a range of research tools that can be sent out to participants such as surveys and polls and a provide a place where research training manuals and other documents can be stored but also provide a secure place where research data can be uploaded, discussed and analysed. I have worked with teams who have custom built platforms like this (using phpBB, Moodle & Sakai), but I'd have thought by now that ready-made off-the-shelf and open source options would exist that don't require additional programming and allow you to turn features on and off with ease. ?? I see that Microsoft, in collaboration with the British Library, are in the process of developing the Research Information Centre, a virtual research environment (VRE) which sounds like it may suffice, though is not developed for original research data and analysis per se (http://research.microsoft.com/conferences/facsum2008/scholarly_fs.aspx? 0sr=a). They will apparently release the code for this soon, but it is not complete and not quite what we need. Does anyone know of any other options? Much appreciated! Tanya Notley Research Consultant

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E-Learning CFP on globally networked learning in higher education
by Doreen Starke-Meyerring, Dr. 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Dear colleagues, before you head off for the winter break, please consider submitting a proposal for the special issue of the peer-reviewed journal E-Learning (http://www.wwwords.co.uk/elea/) on Globally Networked Learning Environments in Higher Education (please see the call for proposals below) by January 31, 2009 (new deadline). If you or your program are engaged in partnerships that use e-learning to link the students in your courses with peers, communities, NGOs, companies, and others across national boundaries or with local community partners to address issues of globalization in their courses or to provide a global perspective of their disciplines, this special issue is a great place to share your work. The goal of this special issue is to bring together contributors from different disciplines to explore what kind of disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning and knowledge making these partnered learning environments enable. So, if you know of colleagues in other disciplines engaged in this kind of work, please pass this CfP on to them. Naturally, it would be great to have proposals from internet studies colleagues, perhaps about networked courses that link students to study the implications of global intellectual property policies, internet regulation, or activism comparatively, etc.... I would be glad to talk, email, or skype about proposal ideas informally. Best regards, Doreen Starke-Meyerring CALL FOR PAPERS: ****************************************************************************************** Special Issue of E-Learning on globally networked learning in higher education ****************************************************************************************** E-Learning, a peer-reviewed international journal directed towards the study of e-learning in its diverse aspects, invites submissions for a special issue on “Globalizing Higher Education Across the Disciplines: Innovative Partnerships, Policies, and Pedagogies for Globally Networked Learning Environments,” guest edited by Doreen Starke-Meyerring. Early national and global policy discourses around the role of the internet in higher education advanced utopian and dystopian understandings of the internet as a new global market for existing industrial-model, locally produced higher education courses and programs to be repackaged for global delivery and global trade online. As a result, hundreds of millions of public and private dollars have been spent on global internet-based higher education marketing consortia, many of which have since failed. As initial responses to digital technologies, these initiatives had largely tried to reproduce established institutionally bounded practices in digital environments, disregarding the networked nature and peer production potential of digital technologies, and therefore lacking pedagogical innovation to re-envision learning in a globally networked world. At the same time, however, many faculty across the disciplines in higher education have begun to develop alternative pedagogies and learning environments that take advantage of the globally networked nature of digital technologies. These globally networked learning environments (GNLEs) connect students with peers, instructors, professionals, experts, and communities from diverse contexts to help students develop new ways of knowledge making and learn how to build shared learning and knowledge cultures across traditional boundaries, especially with peers and communities that have been the most marginalized and disadvantaged in the emerging global social and economic order. However, such GNLEs are difficult to develop because they require robust partnerships, must negotiate a multitude of divergent national and institutional local policies, and as innovations, face challenges of institutional support infrastructures and policies designed around traditional local classrooms. The purpose of this special issue is to understand the current state of globally networked learning environments across disciplines in higher education and to advance insights into their development and sustainability. The special issue therefore invites both conceptual contributions that address larger questions surrounding GNLEs as well as research studies of GNLE development across disciplines, addressing questions such as these (among others): - What is the current state of globally networked learning in higher education? - How have GNLEs addressed issues of global and local social justice? - What kind of disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge making do GNLEs enable that would be difficult to achieve in traditional institutionally bounded classrooms? How? - What challenges do educators face in designing, implementing, and sustaining such partnered learning environments? How do they overcome them? - How do national and global policies regulating higher education as well as those regulating digital technologies (e.g. privacy, intellectual property, and censorship policies) enable or constrain the development of GNLEs? - How do local institutional policies, including policies regulating digital technologies, enable or constrain the development of GNLEs? - What institutional initiatives (e.g., task forces, innovator networks, centres for research and faculty support, integrated support networks) have emerged to support the work of faculty innovators? - What research is needed to advance globally networked learning environments in higher education? Schedule:  Proposals indicating the purpose, rationale, and possible approach of contributions (250-500 words): January 31, 2009  Submissions (full manuscripts): May 31, 2009  Accepted manuscripts revised for publication: September 1, 2009  Scheduled publication of issue: Winter 2010 Please direct inquiries and proposals to the guest editor: Doreen Starke-Meyerring doreen.starke-meyerring(a)mcgill.ca Please also contact the editor if you are interested in serving as a reviewer for this special issue. ****************************************************** Doreen Starke-Meyerring, Ph.D. Associate Director, Centre for the Study and Teaching of Writing Assistant Professor, Rhetoric and Writing Studies Department of Integrated Studies in Education McGill University 3700, rue McTavish Montréal, QC H3A 1Y2, Canada T: 514.398.1308 F: 514.398.4529 E: doreen.starke-meyerring @ mcgill.ca W: http://webpages.mcgill.ca/staff/group1/dstark1/web/starke-meyerring/ President, Canadian Association for the Study of Discourse and Writing/ Association candienne de rédactologie http://casdw-acr.mcgill.ca ******************************************************

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