My new Tumblr

As I mentioned in my last post, I am going to be writing a blog on being a Modern Gentleman. I think that the best place to do this would be Tumblr because I can post video, audio, or text based posts. I am not sure how this will turn out but I am pretty excited to get started on it. If any of you have some time and feel like checking it out, here is the link. http://gentlementoday.tumblr.com/

I don't know when I will find time to post, but I figure getting started was the best way to get it off the ground. If anyone has some input, I'd love to hear it!

Sorry to keep you guys waiting

I'm back! Does anybody else really dig on this whole Podcast idea? Not just as a learning tool or project idea, but just in general! I had heard of them, but had no clue how they worked or what they are. I think that making podcasts would be an easy and effective way for students to express themselves. Students who don't enjoy or have trouble writing would probably find it easier writing the way that they talk instead of writing to be read. I think that podcasts could really engage students who may be turned off otherwise. I have been thinking about starting a blog on my own for a while about the modern gentleman (did it pop up in any of your feeds?) but couldn't find the best way to do it. Writing didn't seem like enough, and I didn't want to have to do a video every time I wanted to post. Podcasting seems like a prefered method to post! I think part of the trick to podcasting is not havig a script, but have an outline sitting in front of you. I like to know what I want to say, but not know how I am going to say it. That way podcasts stay focused, but still feel and sound natural.

Another thing I like about the podcast idea is that you can give a lot of creative license to the student while still keeping a concise rubrik. Robert Rozema wrote in his article that he required "an engaging opener, key excerpts from the tet,  the name of the author and the title, and credits for any copytighted music used in the podcast" (32). This leaves students free to do a lot with the assignment. Some might talk about their feelings on the book. Others may orally perform part of the book. Others might write their own dialog based on how the book was written. I thought that the excerp from Feed podcast was really well done and a cool concept!

My book trailer

So I was thinking about a few different books for my book trailer. The list was Sabriel by Garth Nix, The Pigman by Paul Zindel, the graphic novel adaption of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Tim said that a lot of people know of A Wrinkle in Time so I should probably pick a different book. I'm leaning toward Artemis Fowl, but I think I'm going to read all of them then decide. I'm not a big fan of group projects because I'm a total A type personality and need to be in control of everything I am working on so I have trouble working with others. If you think that you can deal with me though, let me know and maybe we can work together. I've already read it so I have some ideas for it, but I want to re-read it first to get my mind on straight. Hit me back.

Sorry for the late post bloggers

I apologize for how late these blogs are getting posted. Its been a crazy week and I had some trouble getting on here.

So, "Why Tweens and Teens Hate School" caught my eye. As I was reading the article, I was very split. Half of me was agreeing whole heartedly with what the writer had to say. Yeah, high school was six years ago for me (oh shit now I feel old again) but I still remember HATING it. Homework was a bore, teachers didn't understand, classes were too early, and the rest of it. But once the author started talking about the "homework of the future", I found myself think, No! That is too easy and too awesome and if I had to go through it, every one of those little brats in middle and high school now should have to as well! I realize though that this reaction is only because I an jealous I didn't have the opportunity  Thinking back, my favorite classes in high school were my music classes because the teacher used multimedia to enhance the class.  So who knows, maybe this fancy shmancy new technology might be helpful after all.

A quick intro

I imagine that if you are reading this that you are in my Writing for Non-print Media class. If not, you're still welcome. If there is any question of which of the people in our class is me, I'm the loud one with the tattoos. I am rather out spoken and I am very opinionated. I enjoy playing devil's advocate as much as possible. I LOVE reading and discussing my reading. I enjoy writing as well and have been published a few times. I am always excited for others to read my work and give me feedback. So if you are interested reading any of my stuff, let me know!