Old School Vs. New School

Martin Weller's recent Ed Techie posts build a strong argument for digital scholarship but still leaves me questioning whether the old guards of academia will really ever give equal footing to tweets and journal publications? At this year's EdMedia conference in Lisbon, Weller had ten minutes to argue for the following motion: "This house believes that in the next decade, digital scholarship (in open journals, blogs, and social media) will achieve the same status in academic settings as traditional scholarship".


As his narrated slideshow demonstrates smart graphics and thoroughly interesting ideas, it also relies entirely upon a great deal of imagination. Now don't get me wrong, I love imagination but if this was his side of a debate, his argument's thrust seems to be, "maybe it's possible?" Pretty light stuff for a debate.


To clarify, I am very much on board with the seven pressures supporting the presentation, I dare say even gung-ho about them. I just wish that Mr. Weller had come packing some heavy duty data set that would silence the staunch old critics. I know, ironically it may seem that I'm still drawing rather heavily on an old-fashioned scholarly model, but conclusive proof is not the sole property of traditional academics. I used to be a bit more radical with my ideas, but these days I would go against Audre Lorde's notion that "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House". I would even say that the publication of articles in support of digital scholarship in peer-reviewed academic journals would be a good idea for the cause. Perhaps this is beginning to become a splitting of theoretical hairs.


I think that the day will come when many in academic circles will recognize digital scholarship. Will it be in the next ten years? Will it be across the board? Based on Weller's argument and my own skepticism, I'd say probably not. Honestly I also think the debate is a moot point, as the critical mass for the digitalization of many traditions is building even in academic circles. When will the digital wave crash over all opposition? I can only say that it will be before some another wave rolls in to change the entire landscape once more.


Digital scholarship debate

View another webinar from Martin Weller