I seek to create a learning environment that demands active participation by students, collaboration and co-learning (both students and instructor). The work that students do is not for me but for each other and the broader audience. For this course my main interest is the development of your media literacy and skills in communicating with a broad audience about pressing social problems and social policy concerns.

I approach my teaching as dynamic and ever-evolving process. I think constantly about the class and your learning and this means that you will be receiving a great deal of communication from me that will include directions that are not on this syllabus. Please be sure to check the Classes site and your email for on a daily basis and be aware that you will be expected to do a lot of reading and participation.

The course is designed as a social media classroom. We will use social media to develop our personal learning networks, become contributing members of communities of practice, and tune our information radars.  

I am by no means particularly adept at social media and know that students are often more capable and skilled with the tools than I am. But we will call on experts when needed and enjoy the plentitude of resources on the web.