Making an Alligator

I never knew how hard an art and craft project could possibly be.  After today's class, I have now figured out that I never want to be the person who writes out directions for something.  It was difficult to write out everything that was going on because being a human being we all assume a majority of actions that we perform.  That was definitely one of the struggles I had.  Figuring out what all should be included.  Also there were some people who took it a bit far and just wanted to get revenge on others for not following them correctly.  It is difficult to do projects with different types of people.  It was a good learning experience on how to make step by step directions for people.  I feel that the technical writers should get a lot of props for doing this hard work when it is done correctly.  Sometimes, like we talked in class they do not give great directions and we are all left to fend for ourselves. I now have a better understanding on what goes into technical writing and even though it was frustrating, it was a good exercise to get us all involved and to teach us. 

Mother Tongue

In telling this story, Tan was trying to show different perspectives on how others look at non-English speaking people.  There is a stereotype that goes along with not having  English has their first language and she is showing us this in her story.  Her teacher didn't want her to be in English because there were outside factors weighing on the opinion.  Tan's mom did not speak fluent English, which is why Mother Tongue is such a good title.  They look at who is raising Tan and not how Tan is speaking.  Because her mother had broken English, she was judged differently. 

Digital Storybook Topic

For my story I choose to do it on a place, my neighborhood.  There are so many memories that I have from my child hood from their and I cannot think of anywhere else I would have wanted to grow up.  Many special people are on my street that are practically family and I want to tell the story of Walton Avenue from back in the day.

Digital Storytelling Revolutionize Narrative Experiences

Digital story telling could change a simple story into something that interests people more.  There are ways people can read or listen to a story, but digitally telling the story would get emotions that wouldn’t normally arise from simply reading it.   The story would have a twist in the traditional story being told in a new and exciting way.  A lot of technology is changing and stories are no different.  It would be fun for young kids and give the narrative a brand new experience.  It would make the story more memorable and the sounds in the background or a voice over in the digital story would trigger a part of the brain to relate what is going on to the factors inside.   This normally is just by how the reader or listener takes in what is being read.  I think that is what the one part of the “cookbook” was trying to say in the subtitle overloaded memory bank.  Also it says it’s a way to tell their story and get their point across in a way that will be remembered.  I feel that it would possibly bring better writers and readers into the classroom.  It would be a great way to get the kids involved as well.  It would make a great journey for them and they could someday want to become a producer to a television show or possibly a movie.

METAPHOR OF WRITERS

 Topic: Metaphors of Writers
A. introduction
    1. explains the assignment
    2. gives examples of metaphors
B. process and speed
    1. use metaphors for how writing is to them
    2. examples of students metaphors
C. Fear and Courage
    1. emotions of how they feel while writing
    2. examples of when they were scared
D. Control
    1. Feeling in charge of writing
    2. students experiences and metaphors
E. Silence
    1. failure of writing 
    2. basic writing of doing something and another thing happens
F. Conclusion
    1. wrap up of metaphors as invitations
    2. concluding the meaning of what is being written

-  This article is very true on how people write and see themselves as writers.  Sometimes I even find myself looking at what and how I write in a different perspective to catch the full potential of what I am writing.  The examples in the article helped imagine what the different feelings were about each person's perspective. 

Stand Against Wiki

Middlebury College's policy is one that i agree with.  I have always been told, through high school, that Wikipedia is not a great source to use for a paper.  The college has the right idea by not punishing the students, but also trying to teach them at the same time.  Another reason I feel it's a good idea is because they are having them compare and contrast the Wiki information to the other information that was found on the topic.  There could be a class or activity based on Wiki having the students look deeper into how it is set up and organized.  The faculty could ask the students to use Wiki as a reference to contradict what they are saying in the paper.  There are many ways Wiki, however, could be useful.  It is not always giving wrong information like the article said.  This internet encyclopedia could be used to benefit the students and give the faculty teaching material for making a point.

Extra Credit ! ! !

I would love to go and explore on an island such as this.  I have yet to find somewhere that is a good place for me to visit but I feel as if I could get lost on a place such as this.  It would be an amazing feeling to live and wonder around just like McCandless did.  I still have my fear of heights and flying however.  I could possibly change that if I had the opportunity to get to a place like this. The new species of animals in and out of the water would be so fascinating.  The water so clear that I could see my feet.  It would be my dream to buck up enough courage and go to a remote island!