A Ride to Remember: A Rough Draft

Weekly Reading 6

"Teaching and learning involves genuine dialogue.  Digital and media literacy education emphasizes personal agency and an awareness of the way symbols are used to construct a culture.  It cultivates a deep appreciation of history, economics, technology, and politics as forms of social power (Hobbs, 2011, p. 62).

I thought this quote from the text was very thought provoking.  The author goes on to explain that for this reason, digital media literacy has become the new humanities education.  Just like humanities education is necessary to a whole and complete education, so is digital media literacy.  It provides students with the key to unlocking the messages around them.

When I was browsing through current ads, I came across one that struck me.  This ad was so simplistic, two objects, no color, barely any text (and what was there was microscopic).  Yet, despite the minimalist appearance, this ad spoke volumes.  I would present this ad to a class simply because of the ease at which social issues can be pulled out of it.  It may not relate specifically to my content area, but it relates to daily life, in or out of school.  The ad is for Veet - a hair removal cream.

Here is my deconstruction, according to the prompts in the text:

1.  I am not sure of the direct author of this ad, but the company is Veet, a hair removal cream.  2.  The creative techniques used to attract attention is the minimalist approach.  The smooth lines and stark appearance draw attention to the subject - a perfectly smooth, hair free, bar of soap.   3.  This is where things get...hairy.  My first reaction was to chuckle at the implication this ad makes - when you don't have any hair, there's none stuck in your bar of soap.  (I think we've all been there).  But then, my eye made it's way to the text.  "No Hair is Better".  This made me think about the expectation that women shave their bodies to be socially accepted.  Sure, many women choose to shave, but is it really better?  Am I less of a person when my legs are stubbly?  I think this ad implies more, that no hair is better in places beyond legs and armpits, but I don't feel like I need to delve in that deeply.  I also think this ad can be interpreted differently by people who aren't white.  The soap is white, the dish is white. The message is implying that this is something people want - smooth, white, clean crisp.  4.  This represents the lifestyle of women, but from the point of view of men or people who interact with women.  The message seems to be intended toward all, and imposing views on anyone who has body hair.  5.  Color is omitted.  There is no color in this ad whatsoever.  The idea that people can be any way they want to be and still be something is also omitted.  By stating that "no hair is better", this ad imposes this view on the reader and leaves out the will to choose.  

Note Card Confessional

"Media literacy has long been understood as a mechanism to reduce the gap between...the classroom and the living room" p. 29

"The connection between media literacy and the fine and performing arts is rich" p. 30

"...people who pay attention to the quality of media messages tend to have an understanding of human perceptual and cognitive processes" p. 43

Addressing the seven Elements of Digital Storytelling

Point of View. I am going to tell my story from my own point of view, from my current perspective as an adult.

Dramatic Question. I am going to frame my dramatic question around my role as a counselor and support system for troubled or at-risk students.  I strongly believe that I am able to empathize and effectively engage with youth because of my own troubled childhood.  My question is going to be something similar to "My childhood was not always ideal, but I have been able to use my struggles in surprisingly positive ways".

Emotional Content. The emotional content of my story will focus on addiction and mental illness, and how these things can change the life of a child forever.  It's not easy to be open about this subject matter, but I realize how integral these experiences were to shaping who I am today.

Voice. I plan to use an informal voice throughout the story to help my viewers/listeners relate better.  I will also focus on not speaking too fast, as I sometimes can do.

Soundtrack. This part is especially important to me, and I have some ideas for songs, or parts of songs, that I want to use to emphasize the emotional content of the story.  Music is my life, so this part is going to take a big chunk of my time as I complete my story.  

Economy. My script will be short and to the point.  I would like to focus on visuals to create more emotion and connection to the story rather than make it wordy and cumbersome.

Pacing. I mentioned above that I plan to monitor my pace.  I can talk fast at times, especially when I am nervous.  I always get nervous when I am completing large projects.

My Storyboard

Week 4: Option # 1

After completing the Padlets, I got to thinking about the last one: digital media.  Many people expressed that they hate navigating copyright, and I joined in on that opinion right away.  I always feel very stressed about the media that I choose to use when creating digital media projects.  Last year I had to complete a digital story for another class, and I remember very clearly the instructor making the point of how important it is for us, the educators, to follow the rules.  If we don't follow the rules, why should our students follow the rules?  I think the important take away for those of us who complained about this is that we need to practice!  When we are confident that we understand copyright, and that we follow the rules appropriately, this will show.  Our students will become proficient as well!

I also want to note that it is interesting how many different opinions we all have about the same topics.  Some of us love books, some of us hate them.  Some like music or videos, some don't.  Some love digital media and some loathe it.  We will encounter this range of attitudes and more in our classrooms, so it is important to have many different forms of media on hand to reach all of our students!

Week 4: Activity # 1

1. Describe a positive scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?

A positive scene from my childhood would be the time my dad took my on a bike trip on the C & O Canal towpath in Maryland.  We spent 4 days riding 80-something miles on the towpath and camping at sites along the way.  I was about 11 years old at the time.  I can remember thinking about how much I looked up to my dad: the outdoorsman/camping guru/nature lover who has been my inspiration my whole life when it comes to the outdoors.  I felt awesome riding that towpath with him, doing 10, 15, sometimes 20 mile days, and living on bare essentials.  We bathed in the river and ate Vienna sausages and tuna helper.  One night, I burned my finger badly and dad walked me all the way into the little town nearby to call my mom so I wouldn’t feel so bad.  This event has left a lasting impression on me because it was like nothing I had ever done before.  I am so grateful that my dad invested the time to prepare me for this trip and take me away to do something so unique and exciting.  This trip made me love the outdoors even more, and it began a lifelong love affair with my bike.  I still have that bike, and it still gets me places.  I have a new bike now, but that old Trek will never be replaced.

2. Describe a negative scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?

This is probably one of the single most vivid memories I have of my childhood.  When I was young, maybe 8 or 9, my mother attempted suicide via overdose.  At the time, she had been suffering with clinical depression and my grandmother was spending a lot of time at our house, taking care of my sister and I.  One evening, I can remember my mom emerging from her bedroom (that rarely happened) and stumbling into the kitchen.  She could barely control her movements.  Several years later, I learned that she had taken a heavy dose of sleeping medications, but not enough to be fatal.  At the time, I was angry with her for acting the way she was.  I didn't understand what was happening, and I didn’t understand what depression was.  I thought she was drunk, and I resented her for not spending time with us and leaving us with my grandmother.  This event is very important, because it inspired me to help children who deal with such issues today. I have found that I have a profound connection with young people who struggle with family issues and social issues.  I want to devote my life to helping young people overcome these obstacles.  Over time, I was able to understand why my mom was behaving the way she was.  She shared things with me as I grew older that turned most of my resentment into sympathy.  Unfortunately, the trials I went through with my mom have left a lasting negative impact on me as well.  A few years ago I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.  My doctor explained to me that my disorder most likely stems from having abnormal stress and anxiety as a child.  I attribute my mother’s depression, suicide attempt, and continued substance abuse to my anxiety problems today. 

3. Describe a particular event from your teen-aged years that stands out in your memory today. This can be positive or negative. What led up to the event? What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did the event have on you.

When I turned 16, my close friends threw me a surprise birthday party.  Due to some strange circumstances, I ended up finding out about the party beforehand.  See, just before I turned 16 my first love broke up with me.  I was sad about it, so my friends decided to fix me up with someone they thought I would like.  This certain someone was not a match for me at all, but on the one and only date we went on he managed to ruin my surprise party.  He pulled a match book out of his pocket and said “Who is Bethany, and why does she want me to call her about a party next weekend?”.  At first I couldn't understand why my friends would have a party and not invite me.  Then it dawned on me, and boy was I mad!  I had to pretend it was surprise, but even with all that being said, the party was still a great success.  It was then that I learned my core group of friends were amazing people, and that I had chosen them well.  They threw a great party for me, and they supported me through many other transitions and events in my life.  We called ourselves the COF (circle of friends) because we would always gather in my backyard and sit around in a circle of chairs and goof off (sometimes doing things we weren’t exactly supposed to do).  I still get together with the COF every August.  I see some of them more regularly.  These people made me who I am today, and that is a WONDERFUL thing!

4. Describe a vivid or important memory from any time in your adult years. Again, this can be positive or negative. It can be about anything – family, work, whatever. The scene stands out in your mind today as being especially vivid or important. Please describe what led up to the event. Then describe the scene in detail. What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact has the event had on you?

 The time of my life when I met my current boyfriend comes with some very vivid memories and emotions.  We just celebrated 8 years together yesterday.  When I first met him, I was still living in SW Pennsylvania.  He was living in Preston County.  I started making the trip to visit him, and I immediately fell in love with WV, particularly Morgantown and parts of Preston County.  In the beginning of our relationship, my boyfriend got a husky puppy and named him Dude.  I have a vivid memory of taking Dude swimming at Bull Run for the day.  I snapped some pictures of him, with his giant husky ears and long awkward puppy legs, as he explored the rocks, sand and Cheat River.  I snapped a picture of my boyfriend with his new puppy, too.  That day, we left Bull Run and headed into Morgantown for the evening.  I ate at Black Bear Burritos for the first time.  I can remember sitting in a booth at the restaurant and feeling that warm feeling of a little too much sun.  I was happily exhausted from swimming in the river, having a few beers, and playing with a puppy.  All the while, I was building a relationship with someone I would love for years to come.  Those first days together, at the end of a hot summer, led me to live in WV and spend my life with someone I feel lucky to know.

5. In looking back on your life, you may be able to identify particular “turning points” – episodes through which you experienced an important change in your life. Please choose one key turning point scene and describe it in detail. If you feel your life story contains no clear turning points, then describe a particular episode in your life that comes closer than any other to qualifying for a turning point – a scene where you changed in some way. Again, please describe what led up to the event, what happened in the event, where and when it happened, who was involved, what you were thinking and feeling, and so on. Also, please tell me how you think you changed as a result of this event and why you consider this event to be an important scene in your life story today.

 When I first moved to WV, I was fresh out of college and looking for a job in the area of fisheries and wildlife.  This was right about the time that the economy was failing and jobs were not plentiful.  I ended up taking a job as a pizza delivery driver while I applied and interviewed for many jobs that I never got.  Finally, after almost 3 years delivering pizza, I got a lead on a position working with troubled youth.  I applied and was hired.  I attended a week of training and felt like I was ready to conquer the world.  And then I actually started the job.  I quickly learned that I was about to embark on a difficult journey.  For the first 3 months of that job, I cried every time I had to go in.  Not because I didn’t want to work, but because I felt like I was terrible at my job and it played on my anxiety in a big way.  It took a long time for me to work my way up to competence as a teacher/counselor for troubled youth.  On paper it all sounded easy, but working with actual kids with problems is nothing you can teach with a book.  I made many mistakes.  I am not sure of the exact turning point, but I became more and more competent until, suddenly, I was leader among staff on campus.  I learned how to connect with the youth in my care.  I learned how to genuinely supportive of them yet firm in my convictions and assertive with the rules.  The big turning point came in July of 2011, when I accepted a supervisory position at the facility.  Suddenly, I realized that not only was I GREAT at my job, but I was also trusted to teach others how to do what I did.  I loved that job despite the stress that came with it.  It is because of that job that I am pursuing my masters in special education.  I learned that I have a knack for connecting with kids, especially those who have behavioral disorders or histories of abuse.  

Week 3 Reading & Discussion

Pop Culture by Jessica Harmening

I am seeing that many of the Bubblrs of my peers are not working, so I am going to embed the link.  I also noticed that some are so tiny they are impossible to read, so maybe this will make it easier to read mine.

I found the reading very thought provoking, as I had never considered "transgressions" until learning about them in this paper.  I now understand how important it is to recognize and deal with transgressions appropriately in order to maintain the lesson being taught.  I find this information to be slightly overwhelming, but only because I do not have much formal classroom experience.  I look forward to being able to identify and handle transgressions as explained in this paper (ignore, deflect, engage).  I would like to learn more by reading or watching specific examples, or by hearing first hand accounts from my peers who already have teaching experience!

Week 3: Posting #3

The three digital stories I watched were very good.  Each had strengths and areas for improvement.  The first story, by Vanessa Clay, is very well paced with a strong voice.  Vanessa takes the time to pause throughout her story to maintain a good flow.  She creates an interesting dramatic question when she begins her story by describing her self-opinion as "boring" due to her cultural heritage.  By the end of the story, we know that Vanessa took the time to explore her family culture and embraced who she is and where she came from.  She no longer finds herself boring.  There are a few moments when Vanessa's words sound awkward.  She says "so much cookies" and it sounds odd.  This, and some other minor mistakes, sound as if she was correcting a flub in her speech and instead of re-recording the take decided to keep it.  However, in the grand scheme of the video, these small mistakes take very little from the strong story that Vanessa creates about her personal cultural experience.

The next video, by Jared St. Brown, is interesting and creative.  Jared does a great job of telling a story about a cross-country trip he took with his grandfather and father.  Jared's narration was fluid and easy to follow.  He used strong imagery and creative writing to tell his story.  There were times when the pacing of his story did not seem to match up well with the images.  In the beginning of the story, it seemed like he should show images of his father and grandfather as he spoke about each of them.  Jared's story was touching and had emotional content that spoke to the patriot in all of us.

The final video, by Amber Haller, was touching and heartfelt.  Amber presents a letter to her late grandmother set to classical music.  The letter identifies her grandmother as her inspiration for continuing with her education and pursuing her masters degree.  This video has very strong emotional content, as Amber's grandmother passed away tragically just 2 months after she retired.  The music, while simple, did a good job of emphasizing the sentimental nature of the video.  I think the video could have been made even more personal if Amber had read the letter aloud and narrated the video.  Voice can add a lot of depth and emotion, and give a more personal connection to the viewer/listener.

Week 3: Posting #2

I chose this video because I enjoy winter and enjoyed this story.  I also saw many good elements of digital storytelling that I learned to recognize through the previous assignment.

• Point of View. The point of view for this story is that of a daughter reflecting on time spent with her father when she was a child on the cusp of adolescence.  The voice is that of the daughter as an adult.  She narrates the story.
• Dramatic Question. The dramatic question for this story is the lines about snow in the beginning.  The narrator says "...we got more snow than I've ever seen".  This statement implores the listener to stay and find out what happened when so much snow came.
• Emotional Content. The emotional content of this is nostalgia and loss.  The story itself is a nostalgic tale of times past; one of the last times the narrator plays with her dad as she is becoming a teenager and moving beyond that chapter in their lives.  The narrator goes on to relate her childhood memory to her current life, and within that transition she touches on loss.  The narrator says she fears that her father will pass away once she graduates, as if he is only hanging on to watch her become successful and independent.  

Week 3: Posting #1

Element #1: 

For the first example, “Making Salt”, the video’s purpose is to explain to viewers the process for harvesting salt.  The point of view is from that of young people, most likely students, who went through this process and documented it with pictures used for the videos.  The voice is that of the students, who take turns narrating the video and explaining how salt is made.

For the second example, “Fish Tank”, the purpose appears to be to educate viewers about an aquaculture project built at a school.  The video does not provide very much information about the setting or location, but the point of view can be seen as someone who was directly involved with and very knowledgeable of the project.  The voice is that of an adult man. 

Element #2: In the first video, the title itself seems to be the dramatic question :”Are we making Guam ugly?”  As I watched the video, I felt the question was answered through the series of photos of litter and trash everywhere.  The narrators implore the audience to do their part to clean up using scrolling text.

The second story is a little trickier.  It seems the dramatic question is the statement “There once was a lady who went fishing…she caught too many fish”.  The question is answered at the end when the lady is taught to dig a hole that fills with salt water to preserve her fish.  The story describes this legend and also explains that culture in Hawaii is to only take what you need for yourself and your “ohana” (thanks to off brand soda, I know that “Ohana” means family in Hawaiian.  I hope someone else out there knows what I am talking about!). 

Element #3: The first video, “Depression”, focuses on the emotional paradigm of teen depression.  This is something that probably hits home with many teens.  The second video focuses on loss as an emotional paradigm.  The lady being interviewed begins by saying that she did not care much about her culture when she was young, and the passing of her grandparents means that she has lost her chance at learning from her elders.  This had me hooked, even though the story was short.  The final video touches on the emotional paradigm of fear.  The video was created in response to an abduction, and it implores the viewer: What is a stranger?  The video continues by showing happy, smiling, average people and labeling them as strangers.  The viewers learn that their fear of strangers may be based upon scary looking people (such as the drawing of a stranger shown at the beginning) when really, a stranger can be anyone and look like anyone!

Element #4: The voice can serve to ignite genuine interest and empathy in the viewer or listener.  By adding our own voices to our work, we make it more personal and human.  However, it is important for voice to sound and flow naturally.  Adding voice to a story also allows for viewers to follow along with any included text, so the story reaches more people.

Element #5: Music can have an important impact on emotional content of a story.  Music aids in clarifying the mood of the story or helps the viewer make sense of imagery.  Mood can influence the emotions beyond the actual content of the story.  For example, scenes of movies that are emotional in nature usually contain instrumental "sad" music to clarify the mood and create more of a desired emotion.

Element #6: Both videos seemed to follow the suggestions about length and time of clips.  The videos showed a few pictures accompanied by more narration.  An example in the second video, "A Room for Maria", is when the illustration of Maria in the tree appears.  The author explains that Maria climbed into the tree and fell asleep.  However, there are no picture of Maria climbing in.  Just of her on the tree.  In this way, both of the videos link together a series of illustrations that may not necessarily make sense to someone who did not hear the accompanying narration.

Element #7: Narrators can use their voice to pace the story by speaking slowly and pausing to allow time for contemplation and thought.  Likewise, the narrator can speed the story along with his or her pacing.  The first video example has students narrating a video about earthquake awareness and preparedness.  The students pace quickly with few breaks, making the pace of the video seem rushed.  Long pauses may feel awkward when narrating a story, but some are necessary to allow the listener/viewer time to catch up.

I'm still here!

Hey everyone.  I just wanted to let you know I am still around!  I spent the weekend moving from Clarksburg to Morgantown.  It's been a crazy week, and I am just now getting connected and finding the time and space to get back to my class work.  I'll be updating with week 3 very soon.  Please stop by to check out my submission and leave your feedback.  Thanks, everyone!