Funding for Daoist studies is minimal compared to the money scholars of Buddhism receive, Terry Kleeman, an Associate Professor of Chinese in the department of Asian Languages & Civilizations, highlighted in his Teaching with Technology presentation. According to Dr. Kleeman, Buddhism is the rich kid on the Eastern Asian religion block, meaning his field of study, Daoism, does not possess the same technology-oriented resources. In order for his field of study to remain competitive in the 21stcentury, its websites and tools must reflect the ways in which people consume information and content.Taking steps to solve this problem, Kleeman created his own website, using the free tool Google Sites. Initially, the website proved to be a solution to the storage issue for the translated texts he compiled over the summer at a Daoist conference he hosted, but eventually he ran into many problems with the aesthetics and functionality of Google Sites. The free source, Kleeman discovered, did not provide him with the tools to create a website comparable to the Buddhist ones.Envisioning his ideal website, Kleeman noted several functions that will improve instruction in Daoism not only for himself, but for Daoist scholars all over the world. On the website, both the original Chinese texts and English translations would be posted online, creating a secure place for the thousands of pages of these manuscripts. Another key聽feature would involve creating a collaborative online dictionary consisting of key聽technical terms from the scriptures. For instructors and professors, lesson and聽sample lectures about Daoism would be freely available to assist those teaching about it across the globe. 鈥淔inding the Dao鈥�, an interactive tool, would contain a timeline of pivotal moments during the religion鈥檚 history and a map featuring key landmarks. A ritual calendar, highlighting important dates of the religion, would be online informing individuals about upcoming Daoist ceremonies. Also, there would be a simple list of links to other online resources for the curious scholar. Through the culmination of these features, Daoism would possess a website reflecting the current trends of the globe.
Despite the fact that Kleeman did create a website for Daoist instructors utilizing Google Sites, he understands that his field of study must create a more advanced website. Ideally, this website would possess the features cited by Kleeman and would be available to anyone, but the target audience is mainly scholars of Daoism.
Kleeman understands that a website for the religion is essential as people largely conduct personal and scholarly research through the Internet. Daoism needs a digital space if it wants remain relevant in the 21st century.
The Teaching with Technology Faculty Seminar: In Fall 2011, a group of faculty from across the University met regularly to discuss the use and impact of technology in the classroom. During each hour and half seminar, two professors presented ways they are bringing new resources into their own courses, the challenges they face from changes invoked by new technology, or the ideas they would like to incorporate in their teaching. Each presentation was followed by discussion. The seminar is one example of how ASSETT works to bring people together to learn, discuss, and reflect on the use of technology for teaching and learning.
