Your Instructor

Hi. I’m Helen DeWaard, your instructor, guide, critical digital literacy catalyst, and the designer of this course.

Virtually, Anywhere, Anytime

The virtual and digital door is open. Consider this your invitation to come on in! Drop in or schedule an online time to connect and talk to the instructor and/or the graduate assistant using a variety of methods, either synchronously (in a scheduled meet-up) and asynchronously (at times that suit your schedule).  There are regularly scheduled virtual office hours and a variety of ways to leave a message, ask a question or connect with your instructor. Don’t hesitate!

Virtual office hours are

  • Mondays from 7-9 p.m.
  • Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m.
  • Thursdays – anytime (please email or DM)

During these hours, your instructor will respond to email, chat invitations, hangout or generally be available in multiple online spaces during these scheduled times. On-line chats using Lakehead email chat options can be scheduled at any time. Contact the instructor.

Connect

  • Twitter – Use these hashtags to connect our collaborative conversations for this course and for the Faculty of Education.
    • #LakeheadTCs
    • #3516CDL
  • You Tube – refer and/or subscribe to this EDUC 3516 Critical Digital Literacy PLAYLIST for all the videos from this course and additional videos that connect to this topic. This playlist is a curation that models how a playlist can work. You can set up your own specific playlists for topics relevant to your teaching.

CHECK-IN

Connect in Zoom for video chats. These ARE NOT recorded. Your engagement is expected in these scheduled CHECK-IN sessions and are part of the activities during week 3 and week 7 of the course.
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Please see the schedule and invitations posted in D2L and sent in the weekly announcements.

Are You OK?

Take these words to heart: “There is no shame or embarrassment in asking for help, although it is common to feel anxious in approaching one’s teacher. To enter my office and ask for help is an act of bravery. To enter and chat about nothing in particular often leads to new insight. Both are valuable. Both show that you trust me. I promise to respect you and earn that trust through compassionate listening and understanding. As a teacher, I know there is a power-relation between us. As best I can, I renounce this position. Think of me as human, imperfect and vulnerable just like you.” Adam Heidebrink-Bruno

“Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact Student Services for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess.” Sara Goldrick-Rab

Please reach out when you need support. I will echo these statements to let you know you can speak with me directly if you are comfortable doing so, or any other instructor, including the chair of the Faculty of Education.