Teaching Philosophy
My Digital Studies courses are grounded in care-centered pedagogy and critical technology studies, emphasizing not just how to use digital tools, but understanding their social, cultural, and political implications. I approach technology as neither inherently good nor bad, but as embedded within systems of power that require careful examination—and as tools that should enhance rather than replace human connection.
Drawing inspiration from educational innovations like Sesame Street, I believe in research-based approaches to digital learning that prioritize accessibility and inclusive representation. Technology should be a bridge that connects us across differences rather than a barrier that excludes. My courses meet students where they are in their digital literacy journey, recognizing that students come with varying levels of technological experience and comfort.
Students learn to be critical consumers and creators of digital content, understanding issues of digital equity, accessibility, and the importance of minimal computing approaches that prioritize sustainability and inclusion. I emphasize thoughtful, empathetic design and the recognition that behind every interface and algorithm are real people whose lives are affected by technological choices.
Course Offerings
WRIT 1150-16: Critical Thinking About Technology
"Resistance is not futile." This critical writing course examines how technology shapes our daily lives while developing students' abilities to think, write, and argue about technological systems. Moving beyond the assumption that technology simply "is what it is," students explore how digital technologies came to be and how they could be different, focusing on the social, cultural, and political forces that shape technological development and adoption.
Through a combination of critical analysis, creative expression, and collaborative writing, students engage with contemporary debates about technology hype, digital metaphors, and the intersection of writing and technology in their own lives. The course emphasizes writing as a form of thinking, inquiry, and learning, with students serving as authors on a collaborative course site.
Key Assignments:
- Current Events in Technology: Critical blog posts engaging with tech podcasts and newsletters
- Your Writing Story: Literacy narrative exploring the intersection of writing and technology in students' lives
- Technologies Through Metaphor: Deconstructing or creating metaphors for technological understanding
- Don't Believe the Hype: Analysis of technological innovation coverage and reality
- Critical Tech Zine: 8-page creative publication on critical technology topics
Critical Frameworks:
- Historical approaches to technology (from fire to AI)
- Tech hype cycles and media criticism
- Digital metaphors and their power structures
- Collaborative writing and peer feedback
- Zine-making as critical media practice
DGST 101: Introduction to Digital Studies
An introduction to digital studies that explores the intersection of technology, culture, and society. Students examine how digital technologies shape our daily lives, identities, and communities while learning foundational digital literacy skills.
Key Topics:
- Digital divides and access issues
- Social media and digital identity
- Privacy, surveillance, and digital rights
- Introduction to web development and design
- Digital storytelling and multimedia composition
DGST 395: Advanced Digital Studies
Advanced seminar exploring contemporary issues in digital culture, with emphasis on student-driven research projects. Students develop expertise in specific areas of digital studies while contributing to ongoing scholarly conversations.
Key Topics:
- Algorithm bias and artificial intelligence ethics
- Digital activism and social movements
- Platform studies and digital labor
- Data visualization and digital rhetoric
- Independent research project development
Digital Humanities Methods
Graduate-level introduction to digital humanities methodologies, combining theoretical frameworks with hands-on practice using computational tools for humanities research.
Key Topics:
- Text analysis and corpus linguistics
- Digital archives and metadata
- Network analysis for humanities
- Digital mapping and spatial humanities
- Project management and sustainability
Pedagogical Approaches
Collaborative Learning
Students work together on projects that mirror real-world digital collaboration, using tools like GitHub, Slack, and collaborative document platforms.
Critical Technology Studies
Every tool and platform is examined through lenses of power, access, and equity, encouraging students to think critically about technological choices.
Accessible Design
All projects emphasize accessibility and inclusive design principles, ensuring that digital work is usable by diverse audiences.
Minimal Computing
Students learn sustainable approaches to digital work that minimize resource consumption and maximize accessibility.
Student Work & Projects
Students in Digital Studies courses create a variety of projects that demonstrate their understanding of both technical skills and critical analysis. Recent projects have included:
- Digital Equity Audit: Students analyzed local community technology access and created recommendations for improvement
- Algorithm Bias Investigation: Groups examined bias in different AI systems and created public-facing reports
- Accessible Website Redesign: Students redesigned existing websites to meet WCAG accessibility standards
- Digital Storytelling Portfolio: Multimedia narratives that explore personal relationships with technology
- Platform Analysis: Critical examination of social media platforms and their impact on communities