February 27, 2018 at 6:30pm
How do we navigate the complexities of digital connectedness? How do we engage students and educators to critically think about their relationships and participation in a connected digital society? The University of Maine at Farmington Public Classroom Series will explore these questions and other considerations with “Public by Default: Participation in a Digital Society,” a presentation by Meredith Swallow, UMF assistant professor of elementary education.
This talk takes place at 6:30 p.m., with refreshments at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the UMF Emery Community Arts Center. It is free and open to the public.
Swallow’s talk explores the fundamental challenges, shifts, and opportunities in personal visibility, and public participation, in a connected world. She explores how technology and social media have changed our physical and digital communities, and focuses on the developments and uses of educational and classroom technology as reasons for necessary dialogue around digital citizenship.
Meredith Swallow, UMF assistant professor of elementary education, is standing near one of the servers located on the UMF campus.
She also shares her work with pre- and in-service educators on developing positive relationships with a digital presence and assumed publicness. Specifically, she emphasizes that while connectedness is complex, positive active participation in virtual communities helps empower students and educators to amplify productive engagement and learning.
Swallow’s research explores innovative approaches to teaching with both pre- and in-service educators, with a consideration of technology as part of the context of educator development.
At UMF, Swallow teaches educational technology and field based courses for Elementary Education majors; curriculum, instruction, and assessment courses in the M.S.Ed in Educational Leadership program; and technology supported inquiry-based learning courses in the Masters of Instructional Technology program.
Swallow received her Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont before joining UMF in 2015.
Press release by April Mulherin, UMF Associate Director of Media Relations