130 · Representative Documents: Strategies to Support Innovation and Research
VIRGINIA TECH
New Learning Initiative
https://docs.google.com/a/arl.org/file/d/0B0fU_B0HbCf_V3lReHdzQTNLRkU/edit?usp=sharing
Prospectus 8.24.2012 v3
4
#8 FOSTERING THE NEW LITERARY RENAISSANCE &
EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF [SOCIAL] READING
"I think we're in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen
since Greek civilization.” Andrea Lunsford, Stanford.
Objective: encourage 21st century creative expression
Scope: closely follow trends related to reading &writing on the web, as well as
producing, absorbing, and participating across multimedia platforms and formats.
And provide opportunities (in and outside of the classroom for this to flourish.)
Note 1: this could run parallel to the future of research and scholarly publishing.
Note 2: this is an opportunity to tap into the artistic and cultural communities on
campus and beyond.
#9 MONITORING THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
“The contemporary American classroom, with its grades and deference to the clock, is
an inheritance from the late 19th century. During that period of titanic change,
machines suddenly needed to run on time. Individual workers needed to willingly
perform discrete operations as opposed to whole jobs. The industrial-era classroom, as
a training ground for future factory workers, was designed to teach tasks, obedience,
hierarchy and schedule.” New York Times: “Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade”
“Pundits may be asking if the Internet is bad for our children’s mental development, but
the better question is whether the form of learning and knowledge-making we are
instilling in our children is useful to their future.” Cathy Davidson, Duke
“We’re in a bubble and it’s not the Internet. It’s higher education.”
Peter Thiel. (These sentiments are very common among the entrepreneurial class.)
Objective: track the transition of high education to help Virginia Tech’s evolution.
Scope: monitor emerging trends in higher education, with a particular emphasis on
teaching and learning. Host internal and campus-wide discussions around issues and
opportunities. Position the library as an active partner and knowledge center in this
process
Note: this insight will help guide the future role, identity, and function of the libraries.
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