David M. Levy
Professor, The Information School
University of Washington
Abstract
Today’s digital devices and apps are both powerful and powerfully distracting. Indeed it has become increasingly clear that they can serve both as instruments of learning and connection, on the one hand, and of distraction and disconnection, on the other. The challenge we face is to use them to their best advantage, and to ours, and to understand when to use them and when to abstain from them. For a number of years, through my research and teaching, I have been developing methods to help students (as well as faculty, staff, and adult professionals) investigate and improve their relationship with their digital devices and apps. In this presentation, I will describe some of the contemplative exercises and methods I use in my courses and seminars. I will also discuss the philosophy underlying them, which places the emphasis on student discoveries through mindful observation and reflection, rather than on general rules that everyone should, or must, obey.
Bio
David M. Levy is Professor at the Information School, University of Washington in Seattle. He earned his Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University and a diploma in Calligraphy and Bookbinding from the Roehampton Institute in London. For nearly twenty years he was a researcher at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, exploring the transition from paper and print to digital media. At the University of Washington since 2000, he has focused on bringing mindfulness training and other contemplative practices to address problems of information overload and acceleration. He is an active member of the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE) and is on the board of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and the Mindfulness in Education Network. His new book, “Mindful Tech: How to Bring Balance to Our Digital Lives,” was published in January 2016 by Yale University Press.
Queen Margaret University
For travel information see http://www.qmu.ac.uk/travel/default.htm
Organising Committee:
Dr Iddo Oberski, QMU, Edinburgh, UK
Dr Michele Hipwell, QMU, Edinburgh, UK
Prof Ahmed Bouridane, Quantitative Pathology,Digital Living Theme, Northumbria University,Newcastle, UK
Dr Petia Sice, Complexity and Wellbeing, Digital Living Theme, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, www.welcomeresearchgroup.co.uk
Simon Westrip, Mental Health, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, www.welcomeresearchgroup.co.uk
Dr Philip Heslop, Social Science, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, www.welcomeresearchgroup.co.uk
