hi there everyone,
what an interesting discussion about conference
papers that is reflected at a more local level with my own
experience.
i am lecturing a 3rd level course at the
University of Lincoln, uk, (Culture, Self and Technology) which has an excellent
Virtual campus - some lecturers post their lecture notes there. I will not, for
two reasons: -
1. any notes i work from during lectures require a
considerable amount of work before publication on the Virtual
campus.
2. i personally think that it makes students lazy
- lectures are not the definitive answer on the subject - merely a taster
to stimulate interest. I have seen students armed with lecture notes and
the dreaded highlighter who are really not listening.
my second experience with the same course, is
mainly with online material. My students have been told by various
staff members not to use internet resources as they are 'of dubious quality'. -
now my background is that i am 'writing up' a PhD
that is an online ethnography, and i work with online journals and articles as a
matter of course. I will allow, and even encourage my students to do so
too.
so now you are all wondering what the point of
this story is!
well firstly, i recognise the huge amount of work
that goes into producing online versions of work, and secondly, outside of our
own little enclave of cyber-researchers there is still a large cohort that
attach no value to work published online. We necessarily must live in both
worlds, and while attempting to further our careers must use the 'regular'
channels in which to publish. Hopefully the 'Real World' will catch up
soon.
regards
Denise Carter