MICHAEL LEVINE O'CONNER
402C Shilling Hall
Millikin University
Decatur, IL 62522
moconner@mail.millikin.edu
217-424-5096
EDUCATION
University of Missouri
Ph.D. in English, 1997
-Concentration: American Literature to 1910
-Secondary: American Literature 1910-present
Dissertation: Mark Twain and the Missionary
Dissertation Director: Professor Thomas Quirk
University of Missouri
M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition, 1989
Central Methodist College, 1979
B.A. in English
Missouri Lifetime Teaching Certificate
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
Associate Professor of English, Learning and Technology
and Academic Webmaster, 1999-present
Millikin University, Decatur IL
Assistant Professor of English, 1996-1999
Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Director of the Writing Center, 1998-1999
Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Effective Practices Fellow, State of Illinois, 2000-2002
Ameritech/SBC Faculty Development in Technology Grant
College Instructor/Teaching Assistant, 1987-1996
University of Missouri-Columbia
College Instructor, Adjunct Faculty, 1994-1995
Columbia College, Columbia, MO
College Instructor, Adjunct Faculty, 1993-1994
Central Methodist College, Fayette, MO
Writing Tutor, UMC Writing Lab, 1987-1993
University of Missouri-Columbia
Essay Evaluator, Center for Education Assessment, 1988-1995
Grader, Teacher Entrance Exams/C-Base Essays
University of Missouri-Columbia
Instructor and Research Assistant, 1993
American Studies Summer Institute
University of Missouri-Columbia
Assistant Administrator (Learning Specialist), 1993
UMC Learning Center, Writing Lab
University of Missouri-Columbia
Secondary English Teacher, 1979-1987
Washington High School, Washington, MO
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES TAUGHT
University of Missouri, Columbia College, Central Methodist College
English 226: American Literature, 1880-1980
English 175: American Literature, complete survey
English 161: Technical Writing
English 20: Composition and Rhetoric
English 03: Introduction to Fiction
English 16: Conflict & Consequences: War and the Literary Experience
English 16GH: Conflict & Consequences: War and the Literary Experience, honors
English 254: Business Communications
English 275: American Literature, beginnings-1865
English 276: American Literature, 1865-present
English 103: Literature of the Midwest
Millikin University
English 101: English Composition I
English 102: English Composition II
IN 150: Critical Reading, Writing and Research I: Literacy, Technology and Society
IN 150: Critical Reading, Writing and Research I: Nature and Ecology
IN 151: Critical Reading, Writing and Research II: Conflict and Consequences in the Western Tradition
IN 151: Critical Reading, Writing and Research II: Visual Rhetoric in the Western Tradition
English 110: Approaches to Literature
English 201: Business and Professional Writing
English 210: Business and Professional Writing - Online
English 221: Science Fiction: Recent Hugo/Nebula Award Winners
English 220: Science Fiction in Film and Literature
English 220: American Identity (cross listed as U.S. Studies course)
English 232: American Literature in the 20th Century (cross listed as U.S. Studies course)
English 301: Web Publishing
English 360: Studies in Fiction: Secondary American Novels
English 382: Advanced Web Publishing
English 470: Internship in the Teaching of Writing
Education 218: Media for Teachers
Education 219: Technology for Secondary Teachers
Education 425: Second Methods for English Language Arts
MAIN TEACHING INTERESTS
Computer Mediated Writing and Communications
American Literature, beginnings to present
Technical Writing
Business Communication
Rhetoric and Composition
Science Fiction and Popular Culture
English Education/Teaching of Writing and Literature
PUBLICATIONS
"The Migrant Struggle," Unit 12 in the Study Guide and Instructor's Guide to accompany American
Passages: A Literary Survey, W.W. Norton, Forthcoming, Fall, 2003. 43 pages.
"Becoming Visible," Unit 14 in the Study Guide and Instructor's Guide to accompany, American Passages:
A Literary Survey, W.W. Norton, Forthcoming, Fall, 2003. 46 pages.
"Technology and the Teaching of Freshman Composition." The Composition Chronicle. April 1998
(article)
REVIEWS
Book review for Mark Twain Forum, Fulton, Joe B. Mark Twain in the Margins: The Quarry Farm,
Marginalia and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. January 2001.
Review of Perspectives in American Literature web site, created by Dr. Paul Reuben, as a portion of the
CROW American Literature Project. Fall, 1999.
Review textbook new edition revisions for Addison Wesley Longman Publishers, The Little, Brown
Handbook, Eighth edition. April 1999.
Review book manuscript for Scott Jones Publishing Company, An Introduction to the Internet and the
World Wide Web. February 1999.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
"Assessing Visual Rhetoric" with Randy Brooks and Becky Bradway-Hesse. National conference.
May 18, 2002, Computers and Writing Conference, Illinois State University, Panel presentation
"The Three R's and PKM: Personal Knowledge Management, A Foundation for Student Projects That
Utilize Technology." National conference.
May 17, 2002, Computers and Writing Conference, Illinois State University, Individual Paper presentation
Roundtable Discussion: "Powerful Approaches for Teaching Writing: Strategies for Teachers and
Students." National conference.
Nov 15-18, 2001, National Councils of Teachers of English National Conference, Baltimore, MD
Presentation, "Reintroducing American Literature to the American Public." National conference.
November 8-10, 2001, American Studies Association National Conference, Washington, DC, Panel
"Using the PKM Framework as a Model for Technology Integration." National conference.
June 10-14, 2001, Conference Paper, ASCUE (Association of Small Computer Users in Education)
Technology Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC
"Introducing Project CROW-American Literature Surveys." Regional conference.
October 20, 2000, Conference presentation, TechEd Conference, Chicago, IL,
"Mark Twain's The Great Revolution at Pitcairn: Hawaiian Facts and Imperialistic Fictions," Regional
Nov. 1998, Midwest Modern Language Association Conference
St. Louis, Missouri
"American Literature and the Internet," National conference
May, 1997, American Literature Association Conference
Baltimore, Maryland
"The Stranger That Saved Hadleyburg," Regional
February, 1995, UMC Graduate Student Conference
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
"Mark Twain's Missionary Position," Regional
March 1994, UMC Graduate Student Conference
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
"Computorials Redux: More Lessons on Computer Mediated Writing and Tutoring," Regional
Fall, 1993, Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference
St. Louis, MO
Panel: "Understanding Misunderstandings: Designing and Illuminating Assignments," Local
March, 1992, Teaching Renewal Conference
University of Missouri-Columbia
"Computorials: Electronic Tutoring in the Writing Lab" Regional
Fall, 1992, Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference
St. Paul, MN
"The Final Frontier: James Fenimore Cooper's Influences upon Star Trek, the Original Series," Regional
Fall, 1990, Popular Culture of the South Conference
Montgomery, AL
NATIONAL/REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: WORKSHOPS, KEYNOTES AND FORUMS
"2003: Renewing Connections," A TLM Mini-Institute (9 Faculty Participants)
July 22, 2003, Millikin University
Coordinator and Presenter
"2002: A Technology Smorgasbord," A TLM Mini-Institute (17 Faculty Participants)
October 11, 2002, St. Francis University, Joliet, IL
Coordinator and Presenter
"CMS and Multimedia: Issues and Answers, " A TLM Mini-Institute (16 Faculty Participants)
September 28, 2002, Millikin University
Coordinator and Presenter
Traveling Workshop: "Collaborating and Group Work through Technology" (15 Faculty Participants)
Aug 19, 2002 McKendree College
Workshop Presenter
Traveling Workshop: "Collaborating and Group Work through Technology" (7 Faculty Participants)
Aug 13, 2002 North Park University
Workshop Presenter
"Web Resources for Faculty," A TLM Mini-Institute Workshop (17 Faculty Participants)
May 31, 2002, Concordia University
Coordinator and Presenter
Traveling Workshop: "Beginning Blackboard" (23 Faculty Participants)
May 30, 2002, Olivet Nazarene University
Workshop Presenter
Traveling Workshop: "Intermediate Blackboard 5.5" (26 Faculty Participants)
May 23, 2002, North Park University
Coordinator and Presenter
Traveling Workshop: "Intermediate Blackboard 5.5" (23 Faculty Participants)
May 22, 2002, Lewis University
Coordinator and Presenter
ITAC Faculty Forum on Distance Learning, speaker on "Academic Standards and Issues of Quality in a
Digital Environment" March 5, 2002, Millikin University
Teaching and Learning Mentor (TLM) Workshop (19 Faculty Participants)
November 2, 2001, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois
Coordinator and Presenter
Advanced CMS, North Park University, October 2001
Workshop Presenter
Blackboard 5.5 Intro, North Central College, June 26, 2001
Workshop Presenter
CMS Comparisons, Trinity University, May 31, 2001
Workshop Presenter
Blackboard 5.5 Intro, St. Xavier University, May 30th, 2001
Workshop Presenter
Technology Workshop: "Using Blackboard 5," McKindree College, January 15, 2001
Panel Presenter: "Prohibition: Intersections of Public and Private Morality." US Studies Faculty Forum
and Discussion Session. November 15, 2000, Millikin University.
Technology Workshop: Using Blackboard blackboard," Lewis University, Aug 2, 2000
Technology Workshop: Discipline-based Workshop for Education Faculty: Sharing and Learning:
Education, Pedagogy and Technology," Millikin University, Director/Presenter, June 3-4, 2000
Technology Workshop: Course Management Software Selection Workshop," Millikin University,
Presenter, June 1-2,2000
Technology Workshop:How to Improve Teaching and Learning By Using Web Course Management
Software," Presenter,Marquette University, Milwaukee, May 22, 2000
Faculty Technology Workshop Presenter, Principia College,
October, 1999
Co-organizer and speaker, Campus Forum, "Values, Freedom and Censorship in the University
Community," Millikin University, October, 1999
Co-Director of ACI Statewide Meeting, Lewis University,
September, 1999
ACI Steering Committee Co-Chair, Faculty Development Workshops in Technology
Summer, 1999
Faculty Technology Workshop Director and Presenter, "Intermediate Workshop,"
June, 1999, ACI/Ameritech Workshops for Illinois College Faculty, Millikin University
Greenville College Faculty Technology Workshop: "Different Strokes for Different Folks"
June 14 and 15, 1999, Greenville College
Workshop Presenter: "Technology and the Discussion-based Classroom"
Keynote: "Show and Tell: the Summer Technology Workshops for Faculty Development."
November, 1998, ACI Statewide Meeting, Lake Forest College
Designed Millikin OWL (Online Writing Lab) in conjunction with Directorship of the Writing Center,
1998
Served on Coordinating Committee for 1998 ACI/Ameritech Faculty Technology Workshops,
1998
Faculty Technology Workshop Presenter and Keynote: "Communicating on the Internet" and "Real Time
Web Talk,"
June, 1998, ACI/Ameritech Workshops for Illinois College Faculty, North Park University
ACI Webizing Workshop, North Central College, June 17-June 18, 1998
(92 Faculty Participants)
Keynote address: "Technology and the Teaching of Freshman Composition"
Presenter for Workshop One: "Communicating on the Internet"
Presenter for Workshop Two: "Real-Time Web Talk
Faculty Technology Workshop Director and Presenter
July, 1998, ACI/Ameritech Workshops for Illinois College Faculty, Millikin University
Faculty Technology Workshops: "Communicating on the Internet" and "Real Time Web Talk,"
July, 1997, ACI/Ameritech Workshops for Illinois College Faculty, Millikin University
Appointed Webmaster to the American Literature Association,
October, 1997
Faculty Technology Workshop: Teaching Using the Internet--Options and Possibilities,
Nov 14, 1996, for Millikin University English Department faculty
Teacher Technology Workshop: Teaching Using the Internet--Options and Possibilities,
Nov 7, 1996, for Decatur Public Schools English Teachers
Assisted in designing Turbo161, all computer Technical Writing
course at University of Missouri, Fall, 1994
Planning Committee Member, Computers and Writing Conference,
University of Missouri, May, 1994
Administrator/Creator AMLIT-L@lists.missouri.edu, since Summer 1992
American Literature Discussion Listserv List, available on Internet
Television debate on McNeil/Lehrer News Hour, Spring, 1984
"Should Huckleberry Finn be Taught in High School?" with John Wallace
National Writing Program Workshop, Coordinator/Presenter, Spring, 1983
Washington High School, Washington, MO
RECENT MILLIKIN TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS
2002 "Lunch and Learn" Workshops
Sept 13 GroupWise rules: managing the email onslaught, Fireplace Room (5)
Sept 26 Excel spreadsheets and Formulas, Mertz Room (13)
Oct 10 E-books: Are they for your class?, Fireplace Room (3)
Oct 25 Fun: What's E-Bay all about: bidding, buying, and selling, Fireplace Room (16)
Nov 8 Groupwise secrets, filters and scheduling: more management, Mertz Room (4)
Nov 21 Basic Access databases, Fireplace Room (3)
Dec 6 Shopping: What you need to know before buying a Digital Camera, Fireplace Room (17)
Millikin Technology Workshops, 2002-2003 (with number of faculty attendees)
August 20, 2002, Blackboard 5.5 Workshop (10)
August 21, 2002, FrontPage Webeditor Workshop (10)
March 29, 2003 Distance Education Technology Workshop (8)
June 27, 2003 Blackboard 6.0 Workshop (11)
July 23, 2003 Blackboard 6.0 Workshop (9)
Millikin Technology Workshops, 2001-2002 (with number of faculty attendees)
Aug 14, 2001 Blackboard 5.5 (11)
Aug 15, 2001 FrontPage 2000 (7)
Aug 16, 2001 Dreamweaver (5)
Aug 17, 2001Office 2000 (2)
Jan 7, 2002 Process Writing (12)
Jan 8, 2002 Classroom FLIP (14)
Jan 10, 2002 Blackboard (8)
Jan 11, 2002 FrontPage (10)
May 15, 2002 Intermediate Blackboard, Millikin University (17)
Millikin Technology Workshops, 2000-2001 (with number of faculty attendees)
Aug 14, 2000 Basic Webpages (2)
Aug 15, 2000 Courseinfo -PC (7)
Aug 16, 2000 Basic Web -Mac (6)
Aug 17, 2000 Courseinfo -Mac (6)
Jan 8, 2001 Beginning Courseinfo (6)
Jan 9, 2001 Intermediate Courseinfo (7)
Jan 11, 2001 Beginning Webpages (8)
Jan 12, 2001 FTP for Departmental Webmaster (13)
April 6, 2001 Using Blackboard Courseinfo Threaded Discussions (4)
April 20, 2001 Managing Email (7)
April 27, 2001 Creating Basic Web Pages (7)
May 4, 2001 Using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets (5)
SELECTIVE LIST OF SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Dean of Arts and Sciences Search Committee, Fall 1999-Spring, 2000
Illinois Praire Higher Education Consortium, Fall 1999-present
ACI Steering Committee for Faculty Development in Technology, 1998-present
Council on Curriculum, 1998-present
Committee on Teacher Education Programs, 1998-present
Sponsor to Dimensions, the Millikin science-fiction club, 1997-present
Main English Department advisor to English Education majors
RECENT WEB PUBLICATIONS
Millikin Online Writing Center
American Literature On-Line
Millikin Review
CROW Project-Online Aids for Teaching American Literature Surveys
Online Links to Writing Resources
ACI Faculty Development Workshops
O'Conner's MOO Gateway
Search Engines Access for extensive www searching
Letter from Birmingham Jail: A Rhetorical Analysis
How to Read a Poem
Web Links for Elementary Educators
HONORS
Member, Phi Kappa Phi, Honorary Fraternity, since 2004
Donald K. Anderson Award for Outstanding Graduate Instructor, Spring, 1994, University of MissouriColumbia
Nominated Outstanding Young Educator, Spring, 1985, Washington School District, Washington, MO
Fellow, Missouri Writing Project, Summer, 1982, University of Missouri-Columbia
LANGUAGES
Reading Knowledge in French
Reading Knowledge in Spanish
MEMBERSHIPS
American Literature Association
Midwest Modern Language Association
Modern Language Association
National Council of Teachers of English
Mark Twain Circle
Alliance for Computers and Writing
REFERENCES
Dr. Randy Brooks, English Dept. Millikin University, Decatur, IL 62522, 217-424-6264
Dr. Terry Shepherd, English Dept., Millikin University, Decatur, IL 62522, 217-424-6280
Dr. James Pearly, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Millikin University, Decatur, IL 62522, 217-424-6205
Dr. Thomas Quirk, 107 Tate Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, 573-882-0662
Jerry Fuller, Executive Director ACI, 150 N. Wacker Dr, Suite 1350, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-263-2391
Dr. Timothy Materer, 107 Tate Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, 573-882-5595