Computers and Writing 2003: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Conference Attendance

Getting (and Staying) in Touch

What mailing lists and message boards are available for conference participants?

There are two mailing lists and two message forums available for conference participants.

• cw2003-announce is an announcements-only mailing list for conference participants. If you submitted a proposal, you have already been subscribed. If you would like to subscribe to the list, please click on the link above.
• cw2003-discuss is a discussion list for conference participants. If you would like to subscribe to this list, please click on the link above.
• Computers and Writing: General Discussion is a general discussion forum for CW 2003 hosted on one of Purdue's message boards.
• Computers and Writing: Ride/Roommate Share is a forum for participants to arrange for shared travel or housing hosted on one of Purdue's message boards.

I received a message that said I was subscribed to the cw-2003 announcements list. What's that?

Anyone who submitted a proposal to the conference was subscribed to the announcements list so that we can disseminate information about proposals. Only members of the C&W 2003 planning team can post to the announcements list, except by special request.

If you did not submit a proposal and would like to subscribe to the announcements list, visit http://linnell.english.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/cw2003-announce and follow the instructions.

How do I get in touch with the CW 2003 team?

To get in touch with the C&W Team, use any of the following email addresses:

• proposal@cw2003.org -- for questions about proposals, reviews, and the status of your proposal
• info@cw2003.org -- for general queries about the conference
• housing@cw2003.org -- for queries about housing
• vendors@cw2003.org -- for vendor inquiries and concerns
• help@cw2003.org -- for questions, queries, complaints and concerns
• Contact the program chair, David Blakesley, at blakesle@purdue.edu.

How do I confirm the status of my proposal?

To check the status of your proposal at any time, log into the proposal system at http://webapps.mgmt.purdue.edu/publications/?journalid=1, click on My Manuscripts, and then click on the Cycle Details button (third button) to see the status of your proposal. You can read the reviews of your proposal by clicking on the Post/Read Reviews button (fourth button).

Can I change information about my proposal?

You are welcome to change the title and abstract of your proposal to reflect changes. To change title and abstract information, log into the proposal system at http://webapps.mgmt.purdue.edu/publications/?journalid=1, click on My Manuscripts, and then click on the title of the proposal you wish to edit. You can change the title information in the Manuscript Information section and the proposal information in the Submission Q&A section. Note: It is no longer possible to change the status of your proposal.

When will the program be available?

The program is now available! Visit http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/cw2003program.pdf to download and view the program (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

When do particular aspects of the conference start/end?

General information about the conference program can be found in our "program at a glance," available at http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/programataglance.pdf.

Here's a brief summary of when particular conference aspects happen:

Thursday, May 22: Registration opens, full and half-day workshops, opening reception

Friday, May 23rd: Town Hall I, Sessions A, B, and C, Banquet and Awards Ceremony, Wolf Park Trip (evening), Movies (evening)

Saturday, May 24th: Technology Product Design competition, Sessions D, E, F, and G, Mechanical Engineering and Writing Lab Open House, picnic, golf, and music.

Sunday, May 25th: Session H, Town Hall II, conference ends at 12:30 p.m.

How long will I have to present?

Each session lasts an hour and fifteen minutes. For most panels, three
presenters will share the time (other formats, such as roundtables, poster sessions or other special events may work differently; please consult the program for the number of participants and time limits, and make sure to talk with your co-presenters or ask the C&W team if you have questions).

In general, panels are alotted 15 minutes for introductions and questions, so plan on having approximately 20 minutes to present if you are on a panel with two other people. If you and your co-panelists would like to arrange things differently for your panel, by all means, please do! Just make sure that you let your moderator know ahead of time so s/he can monitor time appropriately.

What will presentation rooms have in them?

All of the presentation rooms will have laptop computers running Windows 2000, speakers, DVD-drive, data projector (which can also be connected to your own laptop using a standard video-out cable), a screen, an easel for writing or drawing, a transparency projector, and a dry-erase board. We have also requested each machine have PowerPoint, Quicktime, Acrobat Reader, and other presentation software.

If you have special requirements for your presentations and have not received a follow-up e-mail from the conference team, or if the requirements for your presentation have changed since your initial confirmation, please contct the team at help@cw2003.org and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.

Registration and Housing

How do I indicate that I'll be attending the conference?

If you've had a proposal accepted, you probably already let us know using our online acceptance form (see above). If you'd like to confirm that you're attending (whether presenting or not), you'll need to register for the conference. (See the next FAQ.)

Doing so will help us with planning and also give you the chance to ask us any questions or provide updated information about your proposal or (if a panel) the presenters.

How do I register for the conference?

To register for the conference, you will need to complete a registration form and either mail or fax it to Purdue University Conference Services. If you are on the conference program, you will receive registration information in your acceptance packet.

To download a printable registration form, visit:
http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/registrationform.pdf

To download a registration form that you can complete online and then print, visit:
http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/registrationformfill.pdf

Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat is required to view, print and/or complete the forms. You only need to fill out ONE of these forms.

For information about conference housing, please read the housing section of the FAQ.

How much does the conference cost? Are there different fee structures?

Cost of registration includes most meals during the conference, as well as free admission to special events and exhibits, and souvenirs. Workshop information will be available online after 1 February 2003.

Weekend Registration. If you will only be attending the conference on Saturday and Sunday, you may register at a reduced rate of $75, which includes conference meals on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a complementary C&W 2003 t-shirt, tote bag, conference program, and more.

How do I register for the Graduate Research Network (GRN)?

For information about the GRN, please visit http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/cfp/cw2003/grn.html. You can submit an online proposal for the GRN, or join the online discussion list. Please also indicate on your regular conference registration form that you are interested in the GRN.

What workshops are available at the conference?

Full-day workshops (Thursday, May 22)

Playing To Learn: Using Computer Games in the Writing Classroom
(Thursday, May 22, all day)

This full-day workshop will help teachers imagine the problems and
possibilities of using computer games for instructional purposes, and will help them to draft a substantial course unit in which computer games become prompts for both critical thinking and critical writing. Participants will gain hands-on experience with a variety of computer game genres (first-person shooter, role-playing, real-time strategy, simulation, massive multi-player online, etc.) and be introduced to the emerging interdisciplinary field of computer game studies.

Facilitators
Ken McAllister, University of Arizona
David Menchaca, University of Arizona
Lonni Pearce, University of Arizona
Jeffrey Reed, University of Arizona
Judd Ruggill, University of Arizona

For Those New to Teaching With Technology: Concepts, Skills, and Planning
(Thursday, May 22, all day)

This full-day workshop will help those who are new to teaching with technology think about and through some of the necessary concepts and skills necesary to teaching with various types of computer technologies. Theoretical discussions and hands-on practice will be combined in this workshop, which will provide new (and old) instructors with a chance to share ideas, discuss concepts, and make concrete plans. This workshop is offered at no charge to conference participants.

Facilitators
Teddi Fishman, Clemson University
Morgan Gresham, Clemson University
Amy Kimme Hea, University of Arizona
Melinda Turnley, University of Texas at Austin

Graduate Research Network
(Thursday, May 22, all day)

The graduate research a forum for discussion of research projects and work in progress related to Computers and Writing. The C&W Graduate Research Network is an all-day pre-conference event, open to all registered conference participants at no charge.

Roundtable discussions will group those with similar interests and discussion leaders who will facilitate discussion and offer suggestions for developing research projects and for finding suitable venues for publication. We encourage anyone interested or involved in graduate education and scholarship--students, professors, mentors, and interested others--to participate in this important event.

The GRN welcomes those pursuing work at any stage, from those just beginning to consider ideas to those whose projects are ready to pursue publication. To register for the GRN, please visit http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/cfp/cw2003/grn.html.

Facilitator
Janice Walker, Georgia Southern University

Half-day workshops (Thursday, May 22; morning and afternoon)

Workshop on Teaching and Assessing Verbal and Visual Intersections On- and Offline (Thursday, May 22, morning)

This workshop is designed for instructors who pursue the intersection of the verbal and visual in writing classes in both face-to-face and computer-mediated classrooms. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to consider various instantiations of the visual in writing studies' scholarship, evaluate the verbal and visual intersections addressed in writing textbooks, assess dynamic and static visual productions, and integrate the verbal and visual rhetorically into pedagogy. Participants will leave the workshop with sample assignments, assessment rubrics and heuristics, and guidelines for evaluating traditional and new media.

Facilitators
Kate Agena, Purdue University
Julia Romberger, Purdue University
Bridget Fahey Ruetenik, Purdue University
Pat Sullivan, Purdue University
Julie Staggers, Purdue University
Meredith Zoetewey, Purdue University

The ABCs of Digital Publishing: Portfolios, CDs, Journals, Books (Thursday, May 22, afternoon)

This workshop is an introduction to all of the aspects and possibilities of digital publication -- from ebooks to CDs. Participants and facilitators will collaborate to design and publish a tk3 (Night Kitchen) ebook on digital publishing, with support from Parlor Press. Participants will also be introduced to various technologies for publication and production, and have a chance to discuss both theoretical and practical issues related to digital publication. The workshop will be held in Purdue's Digital Collaboratory, which offers access to high-end machines and software for digital publication.

Facilitators
Kate Agena, Purdue University
Christopher Berry, Purdue University
David Blakesley, Purdue University
Jennie Blankert, Purdue University
Christopher Eklund, Purdue University
Serkan Gorkemli, Purdue University
Jingfang Ren, Purdue University
Mark Steinbach, Purdue University
Rita Wu, , Purdue University
Karl Stolley, Purdue University

Teacher Preparation Forum (Thursday, May 22, late afternoon)

This no-cost forum is a roundtable discussion for new faculty and those on the job market about how teachers in computers and composition studies are, have been, and will be prepared to face life in academia (and elsewhere).

Topic: Teacher Training in Composition: Technology and the Teaching of Writing

Presenters
Virginia Kuhn, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Anthony Atkins, Ball State University
Todd Lundberg, University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee

We have long known that computers and technology will have an impact
on the way we teach composition courses. We have debated issues such as the digital divide. We have debated which software is the best to use in composition courses. We have debated and negotiated pedagogical concerns related to teaching composition with computers. But only recently have we addressed the issue of technology training as part of teacher training in rhetoric and composition programs.

To sign up for any of the workshops, just check the appropriate boxes on the registrationform and include the proper amount in your payment calculations.

Note: If you didn't sign up for a workshop during your initial registration, it's still possible to join one. Complete another registration form and add a note saying "Workshop Registration Only. Conference registration submitted previously." And enclose the proper amount as payment (if applicable. Send the form using the directions provided.

Which airports are closest to Purdue?

Purdue University has its own airport, which is served by small commuter flights run by American Airlines which make connections through St. Louis. Their airport code is LAF.

Most travelers to Purdue use the Indianapolis International Airport (airport code: IND), which is about an hour from Purdue by car. There's a shuttle (the Lafayette Limo) that runs nine times a day from the airport right to the Purdue campus.

What are my housing options for the conference?

C&W 2003 offers two logding options:

1) Hotels. The Union Club Hotel (800.320.6291) in Purdue’s Memorial Union is immediately adjacent to the Stewart Conference Center, where most sessions and functions will be held. The brand new Hilton Garden Inn (765.743.2100; opens March 2, 2003 for reservations) is a ten-minute walk from the Conference Center. When making reservations, be sure to indicate that you are with the Computers and Writing 2003 Conference.

2) Purdue University Residence Halls are within easy walking distance from the Stewart Conference Center. All rooms are full-service and include prepared room & bed made with linen, towel, washcloth and soap, daily towel service and trash removal. Conference attendees should submit the Residence Halls Registration Form to arrange lodging.

If you want to get a room in the residence halls during the conference, please download, fill out, and print ONE of these forms:

Printable residence hall registration form
http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/housingform.pdf

Fill-in (online) residence hall registration form
http://www.cw2003.org/pdf/housingformfill.pdf

Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat is required to view, print and/or complete the forms. A residence hall registration form will also be included in registration packets for presenters.

Will there be shuttle service between the conference and the hotels?

Since the hotels and residence halls are within walking distance, we haven't arranged for shuttle service. Attendees with special needs for assistance should contact us at help@cw2003.org.

Can I bring guests to the conference? How much will it cost?

If you would like to bring guests to conference events, please indicate the number of guests and check the applicable options on the registration form. Guests may attend the 3D Movie free.

Opening Reception: $25
Friday Night Dinner + Wolf Park: $35
Saturday Night Picnic: $25

Where can I park on campus?

For those staying at the residence halls, parking is $2.00 per day. Parking for those staying at the hotels is free. We recommend using the Grant Street Parking Garage for those making day-trips to the conference, immediately across the street from the Union Club Hotel and the Purdue Memorial Union. >> Campus map

More information will be added here as it becomes available. If you have questions, email us at help@cw2003.org or info@cw2003.org.

—The C&W 2003 Team