My journey into digital writing... follow me... ... ... ... ... ...
Writing, Research, and Technology has opened the doors to the world of digital writing. As a Writing Arts major with a concentration in New Media I feel compelled to know more, to learn more, to have effect and power within the things that I write. I was introduced to incorporating a variety of styles into my writing. These included combining audio, video and images into a coherent storied where the images and emotions attached to them carry the audience. In addition, we were instructed to create original maxims, partake in YouTube conversations, and design a video mashup. Prior to this semester I had little knowledge of these types of assignments. However, the value of the lessons learned were far greater than the discomfort I felt when they were first assigned. The overall outcome for the assignments from this class make up the elements of our online portfolio. My website is aprilrobinson.weebly.com. This was my first introduction to Weebly. I love the design of my site. There are many options and it is extremely user friendly. I was able to navigate through the site easily to make changes and add content. Each stage of our assignments are organized and showcased in our individual websites.
Here is a trip through my journey.
Here is a trip through my journey.
1993
In 6th grade we had a writing assignment that I remember having so much fun doing. We had to take a song and using the lyrics and energy create a story. This was the first of this type of assignment, using a different medium to construct the elements of a story. Being that my mom was an Eagles and REO Speedwagon fan, I too had a love for the groups. One of my favorite songs was Witchy Woman by the Eagles. So I borrowed her CD, listened to the song over and over again and created this really cool and creepy story about a witch that lived in the woods and would terrorize the townspeople with her magic. I got to read the story to the class and play a portion of the song for them. I had so much fun with the assignment and this began my love of writing, storytelling and entertaining an audience. This, however, was written in pen. We didn't have a computer yet.
1995The first home computer my parents bought was in 1995. I was in 8th grade. The first computer we had was equipped with AOL. We would conduct chats and IM each other. Computers then were not designed to do what they are capable of today. We played games such as Doom and Sims. In school we were taught keyboarding, and Microsoft Word and played games such as Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego.
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1998
My high school years. The use of the computer for school assignments as become more common. At this point teachers are accepting papers that are either written in pen or typed on the computer. Our school library was equipped with a computer lab. We would take trips down there to do research for projects from both the computer or the shelves. Digital writing is neater and easier to organize and add enhancements too. Such as clip art or related images printed and attached to the back of the assignment. However, speed typing was not a norm yet for everyone nor does every house have a computer. So digital writing was sometimes not as convenient as just writing out your assignments. Learning how to type as an early teenager was a difficult task. I remember taking the speed tests over and over again, to try to improve my accuracy. (Today my 2 year old plays on the computer beginning to learn the keys and my 7 year-old is on a higher level than I was in middle school.)
I was a senior in high school before I had a cell phone. Still at this time assignments are not mandated to be typed. Although, they are beginning to be prefered they are not mandated. I graduated from high school in 2000. (It's amazing to see how far we have come... Today all assignments are typed, assignments are submitted online and furthermore, there are entire schools online.)
I was a senior in high school before I had a cell phone. Still at this time assignments are not mandated to be typed. Although, they are beginning to be prefered they are not mandated. I graduated from high school in 2000. (It's amazing to see how far we have come... Today all assignments are typed, assignments are submitted online and furthermore, there are entire schools online.)
As time passed digital technology changed and so did our wants and needs for our computers. I went from AOL chat rooms to Myspace to Facebook and Twitter. It's amazing to look back and see exactly what digital technology has done for all aspects of life. I feel that my generation is one that has evolved along side the interactivity functions of technology. So much has changed in the last 20 years. Around 1995 is when technology began to take a turn and has ever since evolved into the digital technology that we expect and use today.
According to Wikipedia, in 1994 only 3% of American classrooms had access to the Internet while by 2002 92% did. Ant today I am sure that number would even be higher.
Our expectations and known norms of using our in home PC back then is much different then our expectations and uses for our smart phones today. Furthermore, today the internet provides us with ongoing educational material from all levels pre-school to post-doctoral. Today the uses and interactivity of digital technology are much different than before. Aside from the social aspect and infinite number of resources for researching everything, digital technology assists our writing abilities and influences our style. Digital technology also enables us to look at situations from different perspectives and enhances our everyday lives.
According to Wikipedia, in 1994 only 3% of American classrooms had access to the Internet while by 2002 92% did. Ant today I am sure that number would even be higher.
Our expectations and known norms of using our in home PC back then is much different then our expectations and uses for our smart phones today. Furthermore, today the internet provides us with ongoing educational material from all levels pre-school to post-doctoral. Today the uses and interactivity of digital technology are much different than before. Aside from the social aspect and infinite number of resources for researching everything, digital technology assists our writing abilities and influences our style. Digital technology also enables us to look at situations from different perspectives and enhances our everyday lives.
The first assignment:
tweeting maxims
For the Tweeting Maxim assignment we found maxims that we related to, we constructed a network of controlling values chart, then created original maxims inspired by the network of controlling values. This assignment posed a few problems. Initially, I didn't know what a maxim was and then once I found out, I was not confident that I would be able to create something worthy of being tweeted. However, after getting into the process I was able to let my creativity take over and came up with a few substantial maxims worthy of tweeting about. Here is an example of an original maxim evolved from the below found maxim. This maxim spoke to me. I live my life with little regrets. I could hear my dad as I read this. As I was growing up he used to say, "you never know unless you try." This gave me the confidence to put my self out there at times and try new things. Similar to this assignment, you had to just try it to know how it will turn out.
The second assignment:
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twitterive
The Twitterive assignment enabled us to create a story incorporating all mediums text, audio, pictures and design. This is the assignment I was the most excited about doing. I was living out the aftermath of a fire at my house, so I had plenty of content for a story. Incorporating sound, pictures, and color to my story enhanced the elements and readability for my audience.
The assignment first consisted of tweeting all of the elements of a weekend. First, we tweeted, then we took a screenshot of each tweet to upload into our website. We then had to narrate each tweet, giving examples and specific details as to what was actually going on. This is also the first time I have taken a screenshot. I learned how to upload it to Dropbox and then into my website. This is an extremely useful task that I use over and over again. (Thanks WRT!)
This is an example of my first draft.
The assignment first consisted of tweeting all of the elements of a weekend. First, we tweeted, then we took a screenshot of each tweet to upload into our website. We then had to narrate each tweet, giving examples and specific details as to what was actually going on. This is also the first time I have taken a screenshot. I learned how to upload it to Dropbox and then into my website. This is an extremely useful task that I use over and over again. (Thanks WRT!)
This is an example of my first draft.
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This was the first day we were allowed to go home after the fire. We had been staying at my moms for a week and a half. Sleeping on air mattresses in the living room. It was beginning to take a toll on us all. Emotionally and physically.
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The emotional roller coaster of the initial fire, getting everyone out of the house, being displaced from the house for 11 nights, and moving back in with nothing working and the house in total disarray.
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This is the final draft. This assignment I had so much fun with. I enjoyed finding powerful images that reminded me of what I was feeling those days. I think the videos I incorporated were alarming (no pun intended). I think the sounds of fire alarms and fire trucks have such an universal disturbing connotation that something horrific is going on.
This assignment is a clear example of the Writing Arts Core Value #6. Writing Arts students will understand the impact evolving technologies have on the creation of written texts. If this assignment would have been assigned using a word document, the standard white paper and black font, instead of being a multimodal page on our Webley site the outcome would have been much different. It would have been blatantly boring and just another memoir of an event. Instead my story came to life with color, sound, and pictures. The contrast in font size and the design placement of all of the pieces make it so much more interesting to read and really be able to relate to the story.
This assignment is a clear example of the Writing Arts Core Value #6. Writing Arts students will understand the impact evolving technologies have on the creation of written texts. If this assignment would have been assigned using a word document, the standard white paper and black font, instead of being a multimodal page on our Webley site the outcome would have been much different. It would have been blatantly boring and just another memoir of an event. Instead my story came to life with color, sound, and pictures. The contrast in font size and the design placement of all of the pieces make it so much more interesting to read and really be able to relate to the story.
The juxtaposition of this segment represents fire itself. It's beautiful to watch a fire, it's flames dance as they grow, but not when it is destroying something. These flames look like women dancing, almost taunting and chanting. Their arms waved high above their bodies almost screaming out at the destruction they are causing.
I really got into this assignment. I felt free to use what pieces I wanted to put the puzzle together. There was no definite end just an idea that I wanted to create. In this assignment I took different sides to that day. I took a look at how it affected my family as a whole not just the burden on myself. How did my reaction differ from others? How does my tragedy relate to others? This assignment was an eye-opening experience and I feel the emotion in my multimodal story depicts that.
The third assignment:
Argumentation and Research
The assignment was made up of different pieces. It first consisted of a YouTube conversation. This was also something new for me. Of course, I have watched videos and read the comments but, I have never actually participated in one. We broke into groups of three. Each of us had a role: Interrogator, Antagonist and Advocate. With these roles as our guide we began an argument based off of each video we selected. We were each taken out of our comfort zone by having to stick to each of our roles. There were times where I had to take a step back and look at it from a different perspective than I normally would have. I feel that this inhanced my writing skills. I know that when need be I am capable of seeing another's point of view and although maybe not in agreence with them I understand and accept their opinion. This will help my to be a more well rounded writer and employee someday.
This is an example of our YouTube argument.
The second part to this assignment was the Proposal. This was where we proposed our idea for our MashUp. It was at this time that I realized I was really dreading the MashUp and that my proposal was kind of vague. However, I love my topic. American Greed! I had access to plenty of content. Now the issue would be how to connect all of the dots together to create an awesome and intriguing MashUp.
Luckily, next came Storyboarding and this was exactly what I needed. Storyboarding was especially useful and made perfect sense to introduce the assignment following the uncertainty of the proposal. Sure the proposal sounded great but then WHAT?
The storyboard was where we designed our MashUp. We were the master creators. We had all of these components and we had to build a sound and solid structure. Fitting each piece together to create a story using video clips, audio and images. Furthermore, it was using bits and pieces of other's stories and then enhancing them in ways to fit into our own interpretations. I wanted my MashUp to show the controversial sides of greed. Not just the effects and aftermath but also how it begins and how it escalates. For example through our government and banking. Here are images from my storyboarding.
The storyboard was where we designed our MashUp. We were the master creators. We had all of these components and we had to build a sound and solid structure. Fitting each piece together to create a story using video clips, audio and images. Furthermore, it was using bits and pieces of other's stories and then enhancing them in ways to fit into our own interpretations. I wanted my MashUp to show the controversial sides of greed. Not just the effects and aftermath but also how it begins and how it escalates. For example through our government and banking. Here are images from my storyboarding.
This assignment was the one I was looking forward to the least. The MashUp was ridiculously terrifying. I literally thought that assignment was going to get the best of me. The technological aspect was what hindered me. I had never used a movie maker program and had no idea how to even get started. Just getting started it what took the longest. I couldn't even figure out how to get the videos from YouTube to iMovie. It felt like I was in over my head.
So I went to my conference empty handed, but full of questions. My conference not only gave me motivation but, also some much needed inspiration. And I don't really give up that easily. So after a few long nights, almost cries turned into some good laughs and soon enough I had produced a pretty good draft one. It didn't even take to long to get used to iMovie and once I got the hang of it I was on a roll. It was a super cool experience that I am forever grateful to have had. I would have never tried anything like that without this assignment.
I want to say my MashUp is a work in progress. There are articles, images and songs that I continue to hear or see that I would like to incorporate. There are many different aspects to explore of greed. This was just one overview of the American greed epidemic that has infected us since the very beginning.
So I went to my conference empty handed, but full of questions. My conference not only gave me motivation but, also some much needed inspiration. And I don't really give up that easily. So after a few long nights, almost cries turned into some good laughs and soon enough I had produced a pretty good draft one. It didn't even take to long to get used to iMovie and once I got the hang of it I was on a roll. It was a super cool experience that I am forever grateful to have had. I would have never tried anything like that without this assignment.
I want to say my MashUp is a work in progress. There are articles, images and songs that I continue to hear or see that I would like to incorporate. There are many different aspects to explore of greed. This was just one overview of the American greed epidemic that has infected us since the very beginning.
Check out my final draft of my Mashup video.
The mashup assignment is an onpoint example of core value # 1. Writing Arts students will demonstrate the understanding of a variety of genre conventions and exhibit rhetorical adaptability in applying those conventions. The mashup assignment was way more than just throwing some images and audio into a movie maker. It was a process that played out over many steps. These assignments gave me the understanding of various genre conventions that make up digital writing. Working out each step of the mashup has provided me with the opportunity to apply these conventions to my video process and thus creating my final mashup video.
I hope you enjoyed my site and journey through this class. The final piece to this class was to create this cover memo explaining our digital history. This assignment direclty relates to core value #5. Students will demonstrate self-critical awareness of their writing. My cover memo narrates through my digital history and evaluates the reasons why I incorporated things the way that I did. I have evaluated the impact of digital convention within my writing abilities.