Nov. 19 On Teaching seminar: "Is There a "Stupidity Crisis" in Academe? In a recent The Atlantic article (July/August 2008), “Is Google Making Us Stoopid?,” Nicholas Carr considered how the Internet and other technologies have affected our brain’s neural circuitry. Carr, author of "The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, From Edison to Google" (2008), begins by admitting that he recognizes the effect of Internet surfing on his own work, lamenting that “The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle.” Carr acknowledges that in the absence of long-term studies, we lack a definitive understanding of how sampling online may be altering our ability to read and reflect deeply. But he points to a compelling array of preliminary studies and anecdotal evidence suggesting precisely that. Carr’s article inspired a dialogue in the Chronicle of Higher Education titled “Your Brain on Google” (July 1, 2008). So a number of scholars have questioned the implications of a technologically preoccupied world for the way we teach (whether we use technology in our classrooms or not). Is the rise of technology in our culture accompanied by a rise in “stupidity”? Is there a wave of software and gadget-driven anti-intellectualism in American culture that we confront as educators? Are the “digital natives” harder to teach? Or do new ways of thinking and doing inspired by technology offer more to celebrate than lament? What do you think? Come join our conversation. We’ll hand out several articles on the subject and discuss the many problems and pluses of teaching in the digital age. The On Teaching Seminar will discuss “Is There a "Stupidity Crisis" in Academe?” noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Red River Valley Room, Memorial Union. To register and reserve your lunch call Jana Hollands at 777-4998 or e-mail jana_hollands@und.edu by noon Monday, Nov. 17. On Teaching Seminars are co-sponsored by OID and WAC. -- Anne Kelsch, Director, Office of Instructional Development, anne.kelsch@und.nodak.edu, 777-4233