Alice Horning’s goal as speaker at the next President’s Colloquium is to make people rethink a basic life skill – reading and writing. Horning, professor of rhetoric and linguistics will speak Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m. in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms.

“My goal is to make people see reading and writing differently,” Horning said.

Her discussion, “Reading, Writing and Digitizing: Critical Literacy in the Internet Age,” will focus on her current research about literacy development in the age of computers.

“In terms of the Web, we need to understand text, image, movement, sound and links,” Horning said. “Reading is only incidentally visual, while the Web is intentionally visual. We need to understand the mechanism by which it works.”

Horning will focus on literacy skills as they pertain to our use of computers and the Internet. Part of her presentation will review ancient manuscripts from around the world and how their interwoven, multiple texts are similar to the Internet.

She will discuss the implications of writing and designing for the Web and the importance of organizational structure. Horning will demonstrate her ideas through interactive exercises and audience participation.

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited. Reservations must be made by Friday, Nov. 1, by calling (248) 370-4648.

The President's Colloquium Series was established in 1995 to showcase achievements of Oakland University researchers, to promote communication and collaboration among scientists, and to recognize the outstanding work of 'Nobel Class' scientists.