Medieval History
I apologize in advance, since this is kind-of a half-formed idea. The logistics to pulling it off could be quite daunting (then again, perhaps not, I guess we wouldn't really know until we tried it). Anyway, browsing around, I've noticed that a fair number of people have mentioned just in passing that they've been taking advantage of the various open university podcasts (Yale's list available here) available via iTunes U (link will open iTunes).
I use podcasting in my own courses and have found them to be quite effective in engaging students, including getting them to do the reading. I don't, however, record and post lectures or discussions, since I feel like that would kill the point of coming to class for most students. Anyway, I'm intrigued by this open university idea, which goes back to earlier discussions on academic publishing and open access. This podcasting, to me, seems like just another form of that, albeit one more focused on the teaching than research part of our mission.
So, would anyone be interested in trying something out? I can get the things up on iTunes via the VT site (click on "public access") and I can help give pointers on technology, since I've recorded myself for my own podcasts. In addition, I think I know of a way to gets these mp3/ m4a files to me once you've recorded them. But that can wait for later. These are the ideas I had:
- Open Resources For Celtic
Jack Leigh writes: Ever searched in vain for an online text or translation? Wanted to make a correction to something you did find? Only found out about online resources after you managed without them? Open Resources for Celtic Studies is the beginnings...
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Unofficial open access logo Originally created by Public Library of ScienceA few months ago, I needed to supply a writing sample for a fellowship application. I thought that I had just the thing: an article published earlier that year that showed my interest...
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I've been asked by JJ Cohen of In the Middle to compose something on the creation of my blog and my adventures in tweeting for an article he's working on. The article will appear in a book centered around Geoffrey Chaucer hath a Blog, in...
- Oral Tradition
For those who missed it: We are very pleased to notify you that all 22 years of our journal Oral Tradition are now available online and free of charge at http://journal.oraltradition.org This site now contains nearly 500 articles...
- Mscu General Meeting
On Thursday October 2nd starting at 4:00 pm in Clearihue A304 the MSCU will be holding its first general meeting of the year. Q. What is a general meeting? A. General meetings are open to all students who are interested in the MSCU. At this meeting...
Medieval History
An Idea for Open Courses
I apologize in advance, since this is kind-of a half-formed idea. The logistics to pulling it off could be quite daunting (then again, perhaps not, I guess we wouldn't really know until we tried it). Anyway, browsing around, I've noticed that a fair number of people have mentioned just in passing that they've been taking advantage of the various open university podcasts (Yale's list available here) available via iTunes U (link will open iTunes).I use podcasting in my own courses and have found them to be quite effective in engaging students, including getting them to do the reading. I don't, however, record and post lectures or discussions, since I feel like that would kill the point of coming to class for most students. Anyway, I'm intrigued by this open university idea, which goes back to earlier discussions on academic publishing and open access. This podcasting, to me, seems like just another form of that, albeit one more focused on the teaching than research part of our mission.
So, would anyone be interested in trying something out? I can get the things up on iTunes via the VT site (click on "public access") and I can help give pointers on technology, since I've recorded myself for my own podcasts. In addition, I think I know of a way to gets these mp3/ m4a files to me once you've recorded them. But that can wait for later. These are the ideas I had:
- "Medieval Minute" -- Short, 1-minute bits on some small bit of medievalia. This could be an interesting source (with notes on how to find it), an interesting anecdote, a critical historical moment, etc. This would keep files small, get a lot of people to contribute, and hopefully sustain interest in the series. I can't personally think of anything more engaging than hearing someone speak really passionately about something they care about.
- "Open Course" -- This could be on any number of subjects but would, I'm thinking, generally follow a standard lecture format. This could be a course that we've always wanted to teach but simply can't, given our own academic constraints. Alternately, it could be a general medieval survey, hitting all the high points. Alternately still, it could be more focused ("the crusades," "the Carolingians," "monsters," etc.) it could be something else.
- Other format? The point of all this is collaboration, so I'm open to suggestions.
- Open Resources For Celtic
Jack Leigh writes: Ever searched in vain for an online text or translation? Wanted to make a correction to something you did find? Only found out about online resources after you managed without them? Open Resources for Celtic Studies is the beginnings...
- Opening Access To Academia
Unofficial open access logo Originally created by Public Library of ScienceA few months ago, I needed to supply a writing sample for a fellowship application. I thought that I had just the thing: an article published earlier that year that showed my interest...
- Blogging, Tweeting, And Publishing
I've been asked by JJ Cohen of In the Middle to compose something on the creation of my blog and my adventures in tweeting for an article he's working on. The article will appear in a book centered around Geoffrey Chaucer hath a Blog, in...
- Oral Tradition
For those who missed it: We are very pleased to notify you that all 22 years of our journal Oral Tradition are now available online and free of charge at http://journal.oraltradition.org This site now contains nearly 500 articles...
- Mscu General Meeting
On Thursday October 2nd starting at 4:00 pm in Clearihue A304 the MSCU will be holding its first general meeting of the year. Q. What is a general meeting? A. General meetings are open to all students who are interested in the MSCU. At this meeting...