These two pictures from a wave in Rhode Island. So why did I put them up? One, I think they're super pretty. Two, because the person pictured is someone I admire greatly. Which will be the topic for this last blog.

That guy surfing is Mad Dog, he's 50. He's 50 and he still surfs, good. So what you may ask? I don't know any people his age that surf as well as he does, that's so what. Most people quit because their bodies get tired or sore or etc. But, Dog works harder than everyone. He swims a quarter mile and runs a mile just about everyday during the summer. So what does this have to do with anything? To me it has to do with looking in places for lessons you wouldn't expect. Dog has taught me a great deal about life, as have a number of people I've surfed with over the years, but the lesson we can all learn from him is that if you work hard at something you can accomplish it. He's twice the age of most people who surf, yet he still pushes them to excel; he's one of the few people that essentially founded surfing in Rhode Island (a place where there are no waves--according to most people--the pictures do prove otherwise though); he's uses his knowledge of the ocean to enable him to surf better than most; and, he passes on his knowledge and serves as a leader in my "discourse community."

So I ask you to find a person that has taught you a lesson, a person you wouldn't perhaps normally expect, and discuss in your last blog, why that person is someone we can all learn from. Remember, learning is a life long process, and much of what we learn comes from outside of the classroom. It's been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to teach you all. I've learned more from you than you may imagine.

Best,
tra

CCCC Position Statement on Multimodal Compsition

Above you'll find a picture of someone's avatar from Second Life. What is Second Life though. What does it have to do with writing in 21st century contexts? (Here is a hint.)

Now, please read the CCCC position statement on Multimodal Compsition: (CCCC is the Professional Organization which creates mandates standards in for college writing teachers. Do you feel that you are given chances to become literate in these alternative modes of composition.

Best,
tra

Bonus: Tom the Grom sends Pictures

I just figured, that since my buddy Tommy sent these out I'd share them for you all to enjoy.

11/12: Modality and Afforadances

Last week, as you all likely noticed. I did not post an assignment: Figured a little break, one week, was in order to recuperate from the lengthy research paper.

For this week I ask you to visit the link below: consider what Dr. Kress has to say about multimodality and affordances. Then find a symbol used to represent something within our culture and explain why the symbol is effective or not. For instance, consider the State flag. How is this constructed to carry special meaning? What special meanings are present within the elements of the image? What is pictured? Why are there 19 stars? Why is one bigger? Is the mode in which the message presented the most effective way or conveying that message?




Again, don't analyze the state flag I've provided: find an image on the web that you think you'd like to discuss in 150 words.

All the best,
tra

10: Writing is...

Notice the networking allowed for by these two "texts." Both are forms of "graffiti," illicit forms of writing or art. Do you consider this writing? Why wouldn't you? Image from the Flickr account of AliciaYeah by Creative Commons License.


Image from the Flickr account of AliciaYeah by Creative Commons License.

Last week I attended a very interesting presentation given by professors from Michigan State. The scholars conducted a study in which students were asked, for a considerable amount of time, to journal all writing that they did. For Friday (I've extended the deadline), I ask you to for one whole day (24hrs this week), keep a record of all the writing you engage in. Then compose a blog describing all the forms of writing you engaged in: text messaging, instant messaging, graffiti writing, paper writing, taking notes, making grocery lists, filling out forms, etc. Please attempt to be accurate in capturing all forms.

Blog 9: Introducing Creative Commons

As promised, here is the video, "wanna work together," which provides a great introduction to CC. However, I figured this would be a great idea for next weeks blog. Thus, watch one or two of the following videos, and explain to me, since you've all been doing such a fantastic job so far with these blogs, why is creative commons important & how does it "redefine," "alter," or "change" our concepts of plagiarism. Special note, you must do so without discussing copyright. Better said, concentrate on the academic conventions of attribution, and the way that one creates authority as a writer to make your case or convey your argument.




However, there are actually a number of others which are just as great.

"Building on the Past" is probably my favorite:



These two flash movies are still fun, and provide further explain the benefits of CC to our society:

"Get Creative"
"Reticulum Rex"

Hope you enjoyed the videos and have a great week learning from Mr. Ladd--he knows a great deal, or a plethora (as Ms. Thompson would say), about computers, photoshop, and these types of assignments.

All the best,
tra

Commenting: Interchanges and Dialogue

First off, I figured I'd provide the information for the classes next week:

03-20-07 1:30 - 2:45 NF B39
3:00 - 4:15 CM 148

03-22-07 1:30 - 2:45 NF B39
3:00 - 4:15 NF B88

As you may note the 3-415 section on Tuesday, but not Thursday, will still be meeting in our regular room.



Image appears via a creative commons license from the flickr album of electracute.

A white board, or a dry erase board--what does this have to do with composition, with writing, with blogging? While it may seem unrelated, in due time you'll see that these dry erase boards have taken new forms, but first allow a brief narrative discussion.

I selected the above picture because it reminds me of my experiences as a student much like yourselves many, many, many years ago now. In our dorms we had either these dry erase boards, or chalk boards,(built into the doors). These became very important objects for many reasons. For instance, some students created a sense of identity by writing catchy quotes, or funny jokes, or drawing elaborate designs and pictures on them. Others used them more for inter-communication, getting your board "tagged" meant, that you had friends and that your were known. By "tagging" and getting "tagged" those of us helped to say, "hey I know you're out there, I'm here too, and you're not alone." It helped build communities and friendships.

Now, the comment feature on the blog allows for this same type of community building-- this co-substantial reinforcement of identity. Like the boards, when you leave a comment on someone's blog you say, "hey keep writing, you're important, you have something to say that is important, valuable, worth reading": as an audience member you say to the author, "you have not only a voice, but a voice that is heard."

So, for this week the plan is to accomplish the following tasks: Important directions, every student has a blog, and the blogs are listed spatially from top to bottom, so you have some one above you, and below you. 1) Read the blogs above and below your blog; 2) Read the blogs in their entirety, and then, pick one that is interesting, intriguing, otherwise appealing; 3) Post a comment of 40-60 words on each blog above you, and below you. 4) In the event that the blog assigned to you hasnt' been composed skip to the next one in that direction.


Good luck and good night,
tra