Anthology of Creative Works
Spring Arbor University, Spring 2013
RDG 361, Information Literacy
Author | Creative Work | Remarks |
From the author: There is a huge difference between digital media and writing then writing with a paper and pencil in a classroom. Both of these skills are crucial to know and perfect as learners and future teachers in our world today. Technology is ever present in our classrooms today and growing at a fast rate with integration in the classroom. Writing can be enhanced with digital media but can also be watered down. For this class, myself and two other students took the time to craft non-fiction and fictional pieces. We took this idea and experimented with the idea of aiding it with digital media, such as a video or music. We all added the digital effect to our stories in hopes that it would enhance the experience of the readers and listeners. This is a skill that would prove to be beneficial to future teachers such as ourselves. from Reuben: If you ever wondered for a second whether Brooklyn would enjoy living a calm, placid life sipping tea under a warm magnolia tree, her creative pieces would have you think again. Some people are comfortable with the mundane, and some like her would chafe at it. In both of her creative works, one can sense a woman who barely feels like she is in control of her life, but enjoys that precarious feeling the way we would as we squeal while riding a HUGE roller coaster. However, lest you think that her writings reveal yet another out-of-control millennial, think again: interwoven with her dalliances with danger is a strong Christian ethic that allows her protagonist to ride through the situation. The ethic may manifest itself as doing the right thing even when inconvenient, by challenging a situation that seems to be above her, or by caring for or about someone close to her regardless of the consequences. While she might call such writing a "happy medium of un-believability," one also is reminded of an early description of the lion Aslan (stand-in for Jesus Christ) in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia - He is not safe, but he is good. In that sense, Brooklyn is truly made in His image, and her writing will take you on some good but not safe journeys. Enjoy the ride, and don't worry if you let out a good squeal! |
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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 Crystal: Dr. Rubio’s non-fiction piece about his time visiting Rainer really captures the beauty and essence of the mountain. Ever since he was young, he had desired to visit this magnificent wonder, but was unsure about when that would occur. This story paints a great picture of his anticipation, so much so that the reader feels like they are getting to see the mountain for the first time too. One of the great things about this story is Dr. Rubio recorded himself reading it; thus allowing the reader to feel the words through his emotion. Another great piece of digital work he incorporates is his use of pictures from his vacation. The reader can’t help but sit in awe while viewing the spectacular images. Not only is this story captivating, but it also educates the reader on some curious animals that are normally not seen elsewhere, as well as how Rainer adds beauty to the world. |
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From the author: Writing is about more than simply putting words on a paper. It is about putting thoughts, feelings, and hopes on a piece of paper to help other people understand us more. As a teacher, it is not only critical that I teach my students to write, but also that I continue to write. If I write, my students will hopefully see it as more than a simple task that they have to do for a grade. With this idea in mind, our small class sat down and wrote out own stories; we wrote both a fantasy story to help show are creative side, but also a realistic piece that allows the reader to see a piece of us, a piece of our history. After writing both pieces, we took the process a step farther, adding a digital aspect to the project in hopes that this would enhance our meaning and the reader’s understanding of the text. from Brooklyn: There are two phenomenal pieces of literature to the left with links to Shannon's stories and her added digital media. Although the piece that will really catch your eye and have you listening the entire time is Shannon's fictional piece, World of Imagination. This story engages your senses and opens up a whole new world for students and people of all ages to imagine. This story will leave you with creating your own whole new world and fun, entertaining ideas to use in your own writing. Have you ever heard of gigantic cupcakes, bigger than your house? Or a room full of a huge snowball fight? Take a peek at Shannon's World of Imagination to take you on a real adventure!! |
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From the author: Writing is an art that allows people to express their innermost thoughts, ideas, desires, and memories. Just as writing can be so diverse in the reasons behind writing, so can the style be diverse. One way writing can come to life is through using digital media. Music, pictures, moving pictures, and art are just some ways to liven up a story. During this class, I was able to bring to life some of my stories and other stories by simply adding a few things to them. For my non-fiction and fiction piece, adding pictures along with myself telling the story seemed to add emotion and feeling. Using digital media in a classroom allows for students to enter into a different creative realm all while encouraging the art of writing and telling a story. If used correctly, I think it could really enhance the act of writing alone with the viewpoint of writing. from Shannon: Both the stories to the left, “Morning with Dad” and “Hay Bale Surprise” are based on real events in Crystal’s life. “Morning with Dad” is a fictionalized story about a real event and contains a story within the story; a father and daughter go on a special trip that ends in the father telling a story from his childhood and sparking an unintended competition with his daughter. The second story, “Hay Bale Surprise”, is a non-fiction story that draws the reader in with vivid detail and a childlike innocence. Crystal does a great job of capturing the innocence and personality of a child who has recently found a surprise in a hay bale. These stories not only allow the readers to get to know a little more about Crystal, but leave the readers in a position to revisit some of their favorite childhood memories. |