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I read a post about Wednesday’s class when the three creative writing teachers spoke to us and felt compelled to write. First, I would like to say that I do not think it was their intention to shatter the hopes and dreams of our class. I believe they were sincerely trying to convey a realistic analogy about the hard work and low pay writers can face. In addition, I think if you are majoring in Writing and working towards your degree, that’s good enough for now. I think that there are many occupations and fields that embrace and welcome potential employees who have the ability to write and speak well. So please do not sell yourselves short and by all means do not pressure yourselves into thinking you have to have ALL the ANSWERS now. Just continue to learn, continue to explore and continue to write and you will find your way…
I have to say I really enjoyed the chat session in class today. It did seem strange at first not to have open discussion, but I think everyone eventually settled into it naturally. Even though I was lagging a little behind i was able to keep up with the pace of the conversation and saw where everyone was coming from. It was nice to be able to scroll upward and look back at what people said prior, you do not have that advantage in conversation. Often the words come out so quickly that you cannot recall exactly what was said previously. It did make me think about another issue when we were discussing authorship and why people write. What about the material that is getting written for our benefit? Has anyone else thought about this in the sense of how we are being guided by the information we read and hear? The twist that is placed on stories, the sound bites we receive. Who exactly is steering us on this course and where are we going to end up?
Okay, down to some serious stuff. The plagiarism article was really interesting. I would imagine that there are some problems out there now because there may be teacher’s out there who are not technologically savvy. For them following up on sources can be a challenge. I think the only way to prevent plagiarism or at least to try to contain it to a minimum is through strict tolerance and continual education. If students are taught how to correctly annotate and site, how to properly word information, and the correct methods for researching and obtaining information then they will develop the proper skills and write with confidence. I think this is why writing has been moved to the forefront. Additionally, it is why our major is of such concern and importance. Our future depends on people like us who can write, who know the proper way to write, and who can teach others. One of the most common areas that students struggle in is writing. So I think if we can reach more students and teach them the proper way to write with confidence and accuracy, it will help reduce the issues regarding plagiarism.
So, I think I am getting addicted to technology when I have time to play around and check stuff out. A couple of things I saw tonight was a video pushing Diet Cherry chocolate dr. pepper. Mmmm sounds great! But the video is pretty hot. I like the beat, kind of a tech, rap, hip-hop mix. I cannot believe that this guy Tay Zonday is 25, he looks like he’s 13. But it really was worth checking out! It’s called
Wow! I just got done reading, “A Rape in Cyberspace” by Dibbell. I know I’m going to sound really stupid, but I had no idea what a MUD was. I mean you read and hear things about activities that are done online, but I had no idea how or where they took place. I can understand how this whole concept about rape online can be taken very seriously. The idea that it is happening in cyberspace does not necessarily make it harmless or acceptable. A person’s mental and emotional state is much more delicate than their physical being. Apparently these people get very involved and take this whole thing very serious. I cannot even imagine how we could even begin to enforce what happens online. This is truly a scary situation to know that these types of spaces are like huge arenas with welcome mats for lunatics. It makes me wonder that if someone is really sick and goes to a MUD room, creates a fictitious name and plays the whole thing out, what does that do to their mind? Is that whole scenario feeding their illness? Making them worse? I mean the article said something similar to, “At least it isn’t happening in real life”, people are acting out online. But it’s still real life. It’s happening whether your name is John or Sue. If that doesn’t demonstrate psychological problems what does? Oh, I was Sue when that happened, it wasn’t me. Wow, does this open a whole can of worms or what? Who was signed on as Scarlet7 on November 25th, in The MUD room on AOL? Does anyone have a clue? lol..
So, Hi Everyone! I hope your holiday was healthy, happy and FUN! I am so ready to be done with this semester. Why does it always seem like you are floating along on this nice calm stream, just taking everything in and then suddenly…WHAM! You hit a major storm and everything is coming your way, ice, sleet, snow, hail, pounding rain, lightening….I swear someone better throw me a life preserver fast!
I want to share some information about two people very close to me. They are my past, my present and my future. They encompass all that I am as a person. Where I have come from and the guided beacon that has led me to this path I find myself on. It is because of them that I have found my future as a writer and teacher. They are my children. They are writers.
My son is 19 and is studying English with a minor in Theater and Classics. He is one of the most amazing speakers and writers I know. From about the age of two, he loved to entertain. Through elementary school he was consistently supported by his teachers and respected by his classmates. He took the opportunity to speak in public whenever he could and was eloquent. When he speaks the room is silent. You can close your eyes and drift along with his words like a small leaf being carried softly along a flowing stream. Then suddenly feel the roll of thunder of an approaching storm when his voice reaches its climax. I cannot explain the most amazing feelings of understanding, appreciation, warmth, and overall pride I feel when I hear him read or perform.
My daughter is 17 and will graduate in May. She has applied to the same school as her brother and wants to study Biology. I have to tell you that she is an amazing writer as well. However, she is more technical, critical and very perceptive. My labor with her was not easy. I tell everyone she came when she was ready and has led her life the same way. Everything is on her time and no one else’s. She is organized, yet as carefree as a butterfly on a summer day. For a while there she kept asking me if we could go to Kansas to chase the tornadoes and storms. Sometimes I get nervous about how strong and confident she is. But she would probably catch one of those storms and bottle it up in a lamp and be given three wishes by the end of the day.
It seems so ironic to me that throughout my childhood I loved writing and I loved playing school. Life’s path led me to my husband, employment, and to a family. However, through the years of being a mother, an educator, and a friend to the most important people in my life, I have found what I love most. I have reconnected with my past and have been given the chance pursue my future, as a teacher, as a writer.
Okay, so I have been Blogging about nice topics, can I use one for a rant? I am totally overwhelmed. I have these lovely blogs to finish, a signature project in Teaching Literacy to finish, a interconnected lesson in TLC 2 to finish and my field experience essay, a few Ed Tech projects to complete, and I’m cooking Thursday, would love to shop Friday. I also have an Annual Christmas open house for all of our family and friends and I guess that will have to be on December 15th, so I have to begin preparing for that, the invites, the menu, and stock up the bar. But it will all be worth it because right after Christmas we leave for a cruise and my daughter has a softball tournament in Ft. Lauderdale for 4 days. So after all my ranting, raving, projects, homework, planning, preparing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, decorating, socializing, paying bills, and packing, I will finally get 10 days to hopefully Soak up the Sun!
I though it would be a good idea to write about what we are “Thankful” for. I could relate to our groups post, “It’s that time of year again”. I get very frazzled and it is only for the simple fact that I am a perfectionist. I spend so much time planning and thinking about how wonderful I want everything to be. There is so much that goes into preparing for the holidays and even though my children are older, I still want them to be excited and suprised. So give ur mom’s a break…
I’m thankful that I have been blessed with two children who mean the world to me. My husband is my best friend and soulmate. We recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. My dad is also amazing. He is always here for me and has done his best to support me in everything I do. I am thankful for the several close friends I have who make me smile, share in my trials and tribulations and give me a shoulder when I need one. Above and beyond that I am simply thankful for our health, our happiness, and the fact that we are as close to a normal family as one can get. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to continue my education. My heart goes out to the families, friends and all of our military who are still unable to be home for the holidays. I’d like to thank them for their protection and dedication as they serve for us.
I just completed our reading for Wednesday and found the “Who Am We?” article to be very interesting, but kind of scary as well. The first thing I did was try to find more about Sherry Turkle and after researching a few sites, this was what I came up with, Sherry Turkle AKA Abby Rockefeller Mauze` is a well renowned Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at MIT. She also founded the “MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, a center of research and reflection on the evolving connections between people and artifacts”. I have to say that this article made me feel really strange. It was creepy, strange. Some of the emotions and social behaviors that were described troubled me as a mom. It became very clear to me why our society is so eager to assign blame to technology when things go wrong. The article discusses the idea of technology as a living brain. It provides us with a perception that individuals are creating autonomous connections as we link information together just as that of the human brain. I fully understand the correlation when you think about all the diversified amount of information that is being collected and how dependant upon the web we have become. It is a wonderful integration to us globally. However, I have to wonder if we should be doing more in the way of counseling or instruction to counsel students with regard to the use, safety, and social behavior that is conducive on the World Wide Web. What do you guys think?
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