So far, I am actually quite happy with the progess I've made on my blog. The most satisfying thing is just seeing the record of my readings and storytellings thus far. Seeing just how many posts I have done is quite amazing, since I've never tried my hand at blogging so far. I changed the layout of my website to a lighter tone (it was almost all black before). I do think darker colors are easier on the eyes; we spend so much time on screens, and the blue light from it keeps the brain active and distracted, so I switched to warmer colors. It won't help a lot, but hopefully it won't strain the eyes as much. I spent a lot of time on my project website the other day and I am really happy with the layout. I want it to be interesting and engaging to the readers, something they want to read, not just required to.
My favorite reading so far has been from the Laos unit. The combination of spirits with SEA people, which often includes a morale or parable, is so enchanting. I am a big fan of South-East Asian culture, and the flow of the stories is so pleasing to read. There are a few big points I seem to always seem to include in my reading notes: character development, emotional/moral lesson, and narrative style. I am not a diverse writer, most of my storybook will be written in a narrative format. So, I look for characteristics in other similar writing that makes it more enjoyable to read, whether it be adding dialogue or using a certain method of characterization over another. Good writing always leaves an impact on the reader in my opinion, which is often reflected through good character development. Looking forward, I want to be more adventurous in creating very wild and heavily opinionated characters as a way of expressing my own. It will be a fun rest of the semester!
My favorite reading so far has been from the Laos unit. The combination of spirits with SEA people, which often includes a morale or parable, is so enchanting. I am a big fan of South-East Asian culture, and the flow of the stories is so pleasing to read. There are a few big points I seem to always seem to include in my reading notes: character development, emotional/moral lesson, and narrative style. I am not a diverse writer, most of my storybook will be written in a narrative format. So, I look for characteristics in other similar writing that makes it more enjoyable to read, whether it be adding dialogue or using a certain method of characterization over another. Good writing always leaves an impact on the reader in my opinion, which is often reflected through good character development. Looking forward, I want to be more adventurous in creating very wild and heavily opinionated characters as a way of expressing my own. It will be a fun rest of the semester!
Mekong River. Photo by Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet
I have generally liked the feedback I have gotten so far. With the website, I do wish feedback were a bit more specific at times. Sometimes, students will leave comments about the layout or a design element that I can't quite understand. With the content, I know it is hard to leave feeback because everyone has different ideas and preferences; just because a person wrote something I don't enjoy doesn't mean another person wouldn't love it. I think because of this, it is harder to leave criticism. For the most part, I love what the other students are writing, as well! There are so many talented writers and I have enjoyed getting to read their creations. Because we all pick different unites in the UnTextbook as well, I feel like I am getting even more exposure to different writings from all around the world.
I try to leave comments the best I can, but again, I have a pretty picky style of what I like vs. don't like reading. So I feel that compared to others, I am more willing to leave criticism on things like grammar issues or layout. I wish I were more courageous leaving feeback on content, because there have been a few things I have read this semester that I had serious questions about (and I'm sure other students may have too), but I did not want to offend the author. I will continue working on leaving constructive feedback in the best way possible!
I think it is really fun getting to know people more and more through their posts and comments. I can recognize elements in certain students and/or their way of talking/leaving comments. I personally like my introduction post a lot; I feel like it is a great representation of myself. I wish other people would write more detailed! They seem so interesting and I always want to know more about them in their introduction. Looking forward, I think the best thing that could help with feeback is if we as a class would/could respond to comments more. As stated before, sometimes I am unclear what a student is expressing and want to ask them in more detail.
Unfailure cat from cheezburger
I like this feeback cat because so often, students are evaluated in a very black-and-white manner. We are in an environment where it feels like our worth is only in our grades, when that isn't true. I have failed plenty of times during my four years, but I don't let it define me (most of the time). This little cat shares my mindset, failing does not mean being a failure! It just means there is more to learn, grow, experience, and you'll come out a better person at the end! :)
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