Anthology of Creative Works
Spring Arbor University, Fall 2013
RDG 361, Information Literacy
Author | Creative Work | Remarks |
From the author: Writing is a wonderful form of expression. While some words are simply said, others are best expressed in print. Using digital media is a way to enhance writing; it can be used to clarify and bring additional understanding to writing, as well as lead to the creation of a more engaging piece. I enjoy using digital media within my writing to add a new layer to writing. Enhancing writing with digital media becomes the icing on the on top of a piece of writing. from Ashley: Katelyn brings humor to the table in her fictional work “Tales From Pluto”. Pluto doesn’t waste any time having fun when he is no longer part of the Solar System Planetary Committee. Not only is this story about Pluto entertaining but it is also educational. This could be the makings of a hit picture book. Her non-fiction piece is a recount of a night spent in Uganda on a soggy mattress. This story brings the reader in to her wet shoes and shows a side of Kate not often seen. |
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From the author: One of the interesting (possibly hedonic) traits of teaching writing is that it can be easier to critique someone else than to attempt to do a quality job yourself - at least this is the case for me, and is far more true for writing fiction than non-fiction. With this in mind, the four of us set out to experience together what it means to produce digital creative works following behind elements of the writing workshop paradigm conceived by Graves (1994) and reconceptualized by many others. As we experience this phenomenon of digital writing, we set aside our roles as teachers or teacher candidates and became students again, with all of the trepidations and insecurities of our work thereof. May we never forget what we routinely will ask our students to do - to put one's intellect and creativity out there on public display hoping to stimulate others to learn, to question, to laugh, to empathize, or to cry: or in our worst fears, to ignore or despise. from Katelyn:Professor Rubio is a man with many talents- from teaching to writing to singing- he does it all! Rubio draws upon his Hispanic heritage in his fictional work- a Spanish ballad called “El Corrido de Alicia de la Boca” (The Ballad of Alicia with the Big Mouth). This moving ballad tells the tale of a young girl who wishes she did not such a loud voice. Not only is this ballad poetic, but it also comes with a lesson to remember at the end. The Spanish ballad is sounds beautiful, but if you do not speak Spanish do not worry- he has also graciously included an English translation of the ballad. In his non-fictional narrative, Rubio recounts a trip made with his family to visit Mount Rainer in Washington. This piece proves to be both educational and insightful. After reading his description of the landscape, I feel I must plan a trip to view the majestic mountain in person. |
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Scott Burger |
From the author: Both in and out of the classroom, writing is the primary outlet used to experience and convey their learning. Therefore, writing instruction must be placed as priority in the classroom so that children may fully unlock the potential of the learning that they are undertaking to retain in the classroom. Outside of school, writing becomes a vehicle for complex thinking and discovery regarding personality development, creativity, and communication. Writing is never outgrown, never replaced by another medium, never outdated; writing is important. In turn, as a teacher, my knowledge of the dire importance of writing must fuel my instruction and my drive to remain current with the tools available to boost the writing workshop within my own classroom. But simply knowing the importance of writing and how to use a writing workshop will not suffice as a teacher. No, the best thing a teacher can do while teaching students how to write is to write. When the teacher is in the trenches with the students, students see the task (in this case, writing) as more achievable and see the teacher as a fellow classmate and guide instead of an unattainable model of what they ought to be. As a result, student learning increases. To best learn the importance of writing, my classmates and I composed and critiqued two pieces of writing and used the skills and information presented in the class to produce the best pieces of writing we could. But we did not stop there, once our writings were completed, we applied several pieces of digital media to the writings. In turn, we created a piece of writing that employed outside sources like music, sound effects, and visuals to enhance to literary experience of our stories. In the end, we left the class with two phenomenal literary tools that might be used to help future students explore all that writing has in store for them. from Reuben: Teacher Extraordinaire. Upon reading those words, one imagines finding a gifted and talented teacher moving effortlessly through life with great ambition and ego. But Scott Burger's short stories belie someone who could not be further from that. In My Shell's Too Small, he blends the topics of bullying and self-acceptance in a way that could turn the fears of the egoless child into a confident realization of their true talent and self. In Stranded, Burger explains how his gallant band of American friends were rescued from being lost in the middle of Japan by an acquaintance who went out of her way to be helpful. Is it more gifted and talented to move effortlessly through life, or to find a way through the difficulties, both whimsical and unfunny, that we encounter in life? Burger chooses the latter. And then he brings both stories to life with a remarkable combination of voice, music, image, and sketch. Extraordinary, indeed. |
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From the author: Personal writing is a long and sometimes painful process. When finished with a piece of writing there is a certain amount of pride and accomplishment that washes over the writer. That pride and accomplishment becomes even more real when digitizing their work and making it available to the world to see. The most important lesson I have learned through creating digital writing is that if I am going to ask my students to write something, I better write it too. They need to see me struggle, fail, and accomplish writing goals so they know they are not alone. from Scott: Ashley drew heavily on her relationship with her family in her writing compositions. In her non-fiction story, The Hat Lady, Ashley explores her relationship with her Aunt Helen and the bonding that occurred through their shared love and appreciation for hats. Ashley takes readers through a mental photo album of her and her aunt explaining why the hats Aunt Helen wore carry such an important role in the family. The next story, Soup, is a fictional story involving Ashley, her brothers, and her cousins, spending a lazy Saturday afternoon begrudgingly indulging their grandfather in a story of his past while he slowly enjoys a bowl of soup. As the group listens, enduring the strained slurpings of the soup, a realization of the true character of their grandfather is understood. Both stories are crafted in a reader-friendly and entertaining style, but they also grant the reader a glimpse into who Ashley is now because of her relationships with her family members. Furthermore, readers are encouraged to reflect on the impact their family members have made in their lives. |