Networking Cyborgs

I believe that Hawisher et. al.’s discussion of successful classroom practices illustrate Inman’s concept of the cyborg era in his article “Defining Computers and Writing: Defining the Cyborg Era.” In both the areas of writing instruction and technology, Hawisher et. al. describe successful practices that are also cyborgian—that is, practices which emphasize individuals, technologies, and contexts simultaneously (Inman 1). The successful techniques of writing across the curriculum, process pedagogy, computer-mediated communication (CMC) technology (such as online chat, discussion boards, and email), and networked computer technology all force the student to be aware of their setting and their technology method along with themselves when they write. For instance, a student can’t ignore the fact of a blog’s online, widely available content when he/she writes one. In fact, the Process movement may have even helped to encourage cyborg practices, as the pedagogy clearly emphasizes being conscious of the setting and the method along with the writer. While Current-Traditional pedagogy emphasizes only one above all, Process is cyborgian and fits well into technology use as it encourages emphasis on a variety of areas at once.

--eliz25