Reflective Narrative
WRITING
We have certainly touched on a multitude of writing this semester. Blog Writing has helped me to better understand the sometimes, complex assigned readings. This form of writing has helped me to discover what the reading is saying and how it applies to my own life or my own understanding of the topic. It has allowed me to think critically, in a diverse matter, through an informal way of recording information.
The Twitterive project was the best form of writing for me this semester. Creatively, it included multi-genre writing and has helped me to think differently in terms of traditional writing. In some ways, it has reminded me of The Writer’s Mind course I took last semester, where we were able to examine different styles of writing and see what we liked and what we didn’t. I would also like to note that I have never put forth so much energy, effort, and revision in such a project before. I have extensively revised my Twitterive at least ten times. The final revisions included a page with my father's story, a play on the words in my poem, a physical ad and creative ad, as well as minor changes throughout the page. I did not add the suggested story behind my grandmother because I was unable to connect to her and felt as if the connection with her would be false and steer away from the point I'm making with my home. Instead, I focused heavily with the story behind my father, in hopes to create how the home was a symbol of my family and letting go of the home is letting go of the pain of my father's loss, and the ability to move on with my childhood home always dear to my heart.
Creative writing is by far my most cherished writing, much better than that of academic writing, similar to the
Collaborative Research Project we completed this semester. It was much reading, writing, and recording, which I usually do like, however, as a group, everyone took part in a different aspect, so although at times the work load was easier than completing a huge project independently, I felt as if I could have learned more independently.
RESEARCH
As far as research goes, who knew Tweeting could be a form of research? This idea of forming a project from everyday observations, thoughts and ideas on a Twitter account would prove to be so successful? In fact, when I first heard about this project, I was discouraged. I only had a Twitter account from the last Writer’s course that required it and still was not a big fan. This semester, I have to admit; I tweeted a lot more and understood the Twitter World more. Shh, don’t tell, but I think I actually liked it! I still Facebook much more than I tweet but, that is only because I have more friends and family on Facebook. The readings have been the ultimate source for understanding complex information, as well as class blogs, and I must include, class discussions. Although class discussion is not actually
“researching information,” it is sharing information and finding a way to use it. Also, during the Twitterive presentations, students took initiative to ask students, or to “search” for ways improve their project. That may just be a new form of research right there! I love asking questions and I love finding answers, but being the Interviewee was not so much fun for me. I felt put “on the spot” and that was very uncomfortable for me. We have had a good amount of time for the Collaborative Research Project but, what we were researching could have taken more time and more development. Maybe with this development and learning process, I would have been more comfortable being the interviewee.
I am compelled to mention FOOD INC. That film has honestly changed my life. I will never look at meat the same way again. Although I still eat meat periodically, I am very careful where the meat came from. (And, I have a difficult time enjoying it.) As a responsible citizen of society, and as a compassionate human being, I feel it is my duty to take a stand and fight for the abuse of the animals in the farms and slaughter houses. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in the natural order of things, the life cycle. I must ask this question though, where did we ever get off torturing these animals? It is not okay and I will not be a contributor to the murdering of these animals. The Double Margin notes, which I modified and created a page of notes from the movie, (See Food Inc. Notes under WRT tab) remind me the facts of the movie and reinforce the reason behind my changed eating lifestyle. Talk about a powerful point in research!
TECHNOLOGY
Then, there is our good ol’ friend, technology, which may I add, I adore and hate at the same time. Let’s begin with
the good feedback, my Twitterive came out well and ultimately proved as a therapy and healing session for me. This writing helped me to hold onto the memories behind my childhood home and has enabled me to move forward in life, always remembering where I came from. Outside from this class, this project has helped me to grow as an individual and has created a stronger, more capable person. I never thought Twitter could derive my most valuable tweets that could change my life. (I also used Facebook which was a more comfortable form of sharing my thoughts.) This form of technology I will carry on forever and may just use in my own classroom as a future educator. I am still impressed with the power of writing and technology. Putting this project on my website has touched more than just me, but a large portion of my family. (See Twitterive Afterword on Website)
Creating a Youtube video for the first time was exciting because I was able to see all the views it had. That was inspiring. Also, videos and audio from digital recorders created a strongly developed Collaborative Research project.
Now comes the most difficult part of technology; Sometimes, IT DOES NOT WORK. And sometimes, it DOES NOT WORK when you need it to work in the most crucial times. Although there have been minor issues with Weebly throughout the semester, never has it failed me in publishing information. Here and there I had to write a blog over again and sooner than later I realized I should type my blog in a Word document before typing it on the blog. Unfortunately, then there was the small glitch in the system that would not allow a clean copy and paste. Instead the spacing was not aligned, causing a waste of time “cleaning up.”
Overall, I will always love technology, despite its complications because it does make life easier, when it DOES WORK. Thankfully for e-mail, I am able to email important people to ask for suggestions.
WRITING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
These three elements have been essential tools I can use in any field, preferably teaching. Understanding various forms of writing, research, and technology, has broadened my scope of academia and creativity. For that, I am fortunate and thankful, because I am learning valuable information and tools.