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With the economy in its current state, money -or the lack thereof- is a constant concern. The world of Higher Education is not immune to this problem, sadly. How do we create a model that’s sustainable and still provides the tools and education for the next generation of students to become part of the global community? What about technology as a lifeline?

FOSSELs (Free and Open Source Software Equipped Libraries) could point the way toward a potential source for shrinking expenses in a vital area: technology. By adopting a model that embraces Free and Open Source as its inspiration, Higher Ed institutions could explore lower operating expenses without sacrificing access to technology for students and faculty. Without the large expense of “brand-name” software, a significant amount of funding could be applied to the mission of education.

I have worked in a FOSSEL in my previous life in public libraries. The model, when properly implemented and maintained, has the potential to be a great asset with implications in all areas of education. Is there a real possibility that this could become a defining (or redefining) movement in education? If so, where does that movement start? What are the roadblocks to such an effort?

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I’m proposing a Talk  about how digital publishing, blogging, creating ebooks, and research guides can be incorporated into undergraduate course work as assignments. Specifically, how publishing projects work pedagogically and practically. I’ll be discussing how this type of activity is promotes engaged learning. I’ve recently work with several groups/classes on ebook and digital publishing assignments. Some have worked great and some not so great, and would like to hear if anyone has suggestions or personal experiences.There can also be a little bit about how libraries can work with faculty on projects like these to promote literacy.

Here’s a research guide I had student create in a course last semester: libguides.gcsu.edu/sevenrevolutions This guide was then the springboard for an e-book.

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Emory Digital Scholarship Commons presents at GT

On Friday afternoon Stewart Varner and Brian Croxall from Emory University’s digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC) will share their insights into their work at DiSC and details about the digital projects they’re building at Emory Libraries.

When? Friday, March 8 1-2pm

Where? Clough Commons, Room 125

About DiSC:
DiSC offers faculty members and graduate students the space, expertise, and project management assistance they need to develop innovative multidisciplinary projects. DiSC projects involve a range of tools and multidisciplinary methods, from electronic text encoding and geographic information systems to statistical analysis and digitization. Located in the Research Commons of the Robert W. Woodruff Library, DiSC is supported by funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
DiSC website

Stewart Varner is DiSC’s Digital Scholarship Coordinator. He has a Ph.D. in American Studies from Emory and a M.L.I.S. from the University of North Texas. He co-authored the grant that made DiSC possible. Before coming to DiSC, Stewart served as a Beck Foundation Fellow and a Woodruff Fellow at Emory Libraries.

Brian Croxall is DiSC’s Digital Humanities Strategist. He has a Ph.D. in English literature from Emory. Before coming to DiSC, Brian served as a Council on Library and Information Resources Fellow at Emory Libraries and taught literature and media studies courses at Emory and Clemson.

More Information: DiSCEvent_Mar8