Concurrent Sessions

1. “Cyber Identities and Digital Faith: Fabrication or Authenticity”
Dr. Roland Martinson ’64, professor and academic dean, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Morrie Jones Conference Center Suites A/B, Knutson Campus Center

Social networking has profoundly influenced adolescent and young adult relationships and communities. Texting and tweeting join instant messages, Facebook and YouTube in generating a new sociality in which we work out the mundane and the profound. Who am I? Who will I pretend to be? Who will I fool the world (and myself) into thinking that I am? Who is the God one meets in cyberspace? What do we gain and what do we lose as technology spawns a communication revolution and fascinating new possibilities for being human? How does it affect the mission of Christ’s people?

2. “The Digital Divide Within Our World”
Rebecca Ram ‘10, Alex Liu ’10, Samal Siriwardane ’11, Ting Jiang ’12, Jihane Bousfiha ’10 and Nutifafa Yakor ’11
Moderator: Office of Intercultural Affairs
Main Stage, Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre

Join us for this panel discussion where Concordia students from around the world will discuss the impacts of technology on their respective countries and regions, including comparisons to life at Concordia. If technology is changing our brains and our biology, what does this mean for relating to each other in a global world? What does this mean for areas of the world that do not have electricity, let alone technology? The session is organized by Intercultural Affairs.

3. “Epistemology, Topology, and Campus Life: Pervasive Technology Hits Home”
Carl Albing, senior software engineer, Cray Inc., Twin Cities
Greg Albing ’10
Room 330, Jones Science Center

Technology is everywhere on campus today, but it was a novelty 30 years ago. Stories of “then” and “now” provide insight into how pervasive technology has altered our society and ourselves, for better or worse – or likely both. The presenters will explore and discuss how those changes relate to life in various roles in academia today, inviting participants to comment from their perspectives.

4. “Everyday Computing Ethical Dilemmas”
Dr. Ahmed Kamel, associate professor, computer science and mathematics
Room 259, Ivers Science Center

With the widespread usage of computing, society is constantly faced with ethical dilemmas about uses of computers. Issues arise in applications, in conflicting needs, in marketing issues, as well as in professional decision-making. This session will explore some of these controversial issues through real-life scenarios and group discussion.

5. “Going Without Technology”
Dr. Lisa Sethre-Hofstad, associate professor, psychology; program director, Norwegian and Scandinavian studies
Dr. Stephanie Ahlfeldt, assistant professor, Communication Studies and Theatre Art; director, Oral Communication Center
Credo honors program students
Christiansen Recital Hall, Hvidsten Hall of Music

Students in the Credo course “Cell Phones and Cyberspace” were challenged to experience life without the technology they love so much. The purpose of the assignment was to give students and professors an opportunity to reflect intentionally on the role of technology in their own lives. As a class, they turned off their cell phones on a Wednesday morning and did not turn them back on until the following Monday morning. During those five days, students were to “go without” specific forms of technology. This session will highlight and share their experiences.

Student posters will also be on display during the symposium in Offutt Concourse. Topics include the role of cell phones in avoidance behavior, social networking sites and the level of intimacy in friendships, perceptions of e-mail politeness, the impact of technology on family mealtimes, and the differences in self-disclosure in person and on Facebook.

6. “Obsession 2.0: Social Networking or Social Isolation”
Amy Soma, librarian
Erika Rux, librarian II
Room 124, Olin Art and Communications Center

Web 2.0 technology has resulted in the creation of online interactive social networks for nearly every imaginable interest. Through a combination of presentation, demonstration and group discussion, this concurrent session will explore how online interaction can usurp face-to-face interaction and create specialized silos of isolation or help people form meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals.

7. “The Pros and Cons of the i-Scientist”
Dr. Graeme Wyllie, chemistry laboratory coordinator
Room 212, Jones Science Center

This talk, which is aimed for scientists and non-scientists, educators, students and the general public, explores both the benefits and the disadvantages that recent technology has brought to the science teaching laboratory. This is not a technical talk, although multiple examples of science and technology chosen from the teaching labs and from pop culture will be discussed. The audience will be provided with a balanced viewpoint of both the benefits and problems that technology has brought to the science teaching lab environment.

8. “Social Transformations and Developing Nations”
Dr. Andrew Lindner, assistant professor, sociology
Michelle Hockett ’10
Room 101, Old Main

In this session, attendees will be guided through a discussion of several of the ways in which communication technology is being used to improve the quality of life in developing nations, while simultaneously encouraging critical thinking about the key questions associated with the introduction of this technology.

What are the potential costs of bringing Western culture and $100 cellular phones to countries with average incomes of $500 per year? What economic, political, and social factors are most influential in contributing to the rise of communication technology in developing nations? By considering such questions, attendees of the session will have the opportunity to reflect upon the ways in which Western governments, businesses and citizens can more responsibly engage in global society.

9. “Technology Simulation in Nursing Education: The Wave of the Future”
Nursing department faculty and students
Room 370, Jones Science Center

This session will explore the expanding role of technology through patient simulation in nursing education. New practice guidelines are based on research that correlates simulation preparation in nursing education with an increase in the ability of students to provide safe, appropriate care to patients in actual clinical settings. Session participants will develop an understanding of the significant role of simulation technology in the education process to prepare nursing students for professional practice.

10. “Technology: Tools for Business Innovation”
Michael Chambers, president and CEO, Aldevron, Fargo, N.D.
Brent Teiken ’92, founder and CEO, Sundog, Fargo, N.D.
Gary Inman, senior vice president, State Bank & Trust, Fargo, N.D.
Centrum, Knutson Campus Center

A moderated panel of local business executives will discuss the role of technology as it relates to business, the economy and the region. This session will pose tough questions examining many of the symposium’s themes to local executives as they discuss today’s realities, imagine the future, and share advice for this complicated and rapidly changing field. Participant questions and audience discussion will be included. This session is sponsored by the Concordia School of Business.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students