ScreenCast.. sigh.

I am staring at my screen… at a barely moving box that is apparently uploading my Prezi to ScreenCast. This has taken over a half hour 😦 This makes me sad.

Regardless, soon, my blog will be able to be attached and I will do so. My Prezi presentation discusses my thoughts on writing in today’s society. I enjoyed constructing the piece, even with the awkward voice-over. Prezi can get frustrating but I think I generally got the hang of it. In ending this module, I’m  beginning to see the close relationships between the three modules and I find it very interesting. In the beginning of the year, the three-module idea was kind of intimidating. I now completely understand why it was split up and I have appreciated all three (or will appreciate all three) of the modules.

The Prezi is ready! Check it out at http://screencast.com/t/ImsAxQkJNq

Enjoy and happy writing 🙂

Yay Reflections!

Check out Emily’s reflections at this sweet GoogleDrive location https://docs.google.com/a/students.rowan.edu/document/d/1FGudxfyFfExRJ5B9TJ9fxZtaTVViGlHCUPNgYDMfpA8/edit

My Personal Trip to the Matrix: A Reflection of JDarkRoom

I feel like I’m in the Matrix… currently scanning my dorm room to confirm that I’m not seeing any black cats or feeling and deja vu. Coast is clear.

This is truly a new experience. Different from Word, Twitter, Facebook, paper and anything else I have ever written on. It feels somewhat silly that the simplicity of looking only at my words can make me realize how much is usually going on around them.
JDarkRoom is definitely an inviting space to pursue for writing, I feel intrigued and open-minded! I assume that a writing space like this would invite experienced writers, the writers who don’t care about the presentation of their writing but only the bulk of their ideas. It may discourage writers of the younger generation, as the distractions that many of us prefer are no longer available. I usually listen to music while I write, but here I am faced with only my own text. Yes, I want to check my Facebook and play my music. But… I don’t hate this enough to press escape yet.
However, some things are afforded by this space. I cannot rely on spell-check, formatting or editing tools. This space somewhat combines the speed of Microsoft Word with the focus on writing of writing on a piece of notebook paper. I still find myself pausing during sentences to thoughtfully communicate my ideas, but I don’t feel as pressured as I do while using Microsoft Word. I don’t think the dynamics of this writing space affect my writing in any major ways. I feel more relaxed, if anything, resulting in a writing piece that feels like I am having a conversation with my audience. Sometimes when using Word, my hands feel tense and I can’t wait for the piece to be finished. I am much more relaxed with this program, not feeling the same pressures as I do while using Word.
While using JDarkRoom, I am relaxed and more focused on the words. By only seeing the words I am typing, and not listening to music or thinking about fonts, I hear myself saying the words in my head much more clearly than I usually do. This intimate reflection allows for a deeper appreciation for the words I choose to reflect my thoughts.

Ode to Paper

Writing on paper seems to allow the writer to breathe. My handwriting is much sloppier when I know I’m only talking to myself via a sheet of paper.

It is at this point I let the writer in me dominate the teacher in me. I am not exemplifying or displaying proper handwriting, at all. However, when I really feel the need to “let it all out,” paper is the medium I will always prefer.
There is something about writing freely that is just different. It could be the way my hand swishes as it slides across the page. It could  be how I know I hold my pen incorrectly but I don’t change it even if the inside of my ring finger begins to callous. Or maybe it’s the sole reason that writing on paper makes me feel like a writer, more like someone can descriptively and successfully communicate their heart’s thoughts. (Insert goofy drawing of heart with glasses, thinking. Caption: I also doodle… a lot, when I write on notebook paper.)

Unfortunately, for some people, they may never connect to paper and pen as the best medium for their inner-writer… as long as all writers find some way to bring their own creativity out by utilizing whatever medium works best for them. (Insert mini-billboard: Don’t hate paper!)
I believe this space discourages people due to how it is taught. Students, especially with the growing technologies, will always turn to the medium that most easily communicates their ideas (of course, correctly and clearly as well). In this space, I feel less formal while writing. I could never successfully draft an analytical/research paper on notebook paper. Similarly, I would fail horribly at writing creatively on any other space but paper.

CONSTRAINTS:
-the stupid notebook holes
-I don’t like that ink is often visible from the flip-side of the paper (There’s that teacher-esque personality again…)
-the crossing-out of things: I’d prefer not have scribbles on the page but I don’t like pencils and I must accept that revising as I go is allowed and welcomed.

As a result, the text that I compose on notebook paper in very informal, and very scattered. But I am somewhat proud of the chaos. The text composition, although most words seem to fluidly bleed onto the paper, in simply a composition of my thoughts on a topic. I would, and do, have a lot of trouble composing writing that isn’t creative/narrative on notebook paper.

Things that are “okay” on paper:
-crossing out
-blended letters
-cursive meets print
-chaotic
-descriptive
-writing as you speak/think

Not “okay” on paper:

-organized

-too “thought-out”

-too serious!

-thinking of better words/points

-not using VOICE

Word Pressin’: It’s All About the Comfort

So far throughout this module, I have not been fond of the WordPress blog in general. However, I understand how blogging can affect one’s writing style. In a blog space, the writer feels as though there is much to reveal to his or her audience. This aspect is not very different from how writers usually feel, but the catch is this: in blogging, the writer feels a certain responsibility or prerogative towards unveiling their ideas in order to deeply connect with their audience, evoking more passion than usual. Think about it- there aren’t many bloggers who are not opinionated, ordinary or mundane. Writers who blog strive for the shock factor, the gasps of their readers. This gasp could either be an “OMG THIS GIRL IS CRAZY” or an “OMG THIS GIRL IS CRAZY JUST LIKE ME.”

After all, don’t we all just want to feel like someone is feeling the same things we are? These blogs and other networking applications allow users to establish their unique qualities that quickly are not unique anymore, as they find others who feel the same. This is not a disappointing process of finding out you aren’t as unique as you thought you were, but more a comforting realization that someone is right there with you.

The WordPress blog itself is very inviting, an open environment pretty much giving you the space for the longest Facebook update you could ever desire. To write WordPress blogs feels… different. I have never been the avid blogger, I have always felt that if people wanted to know how I felt they would enjoy my twitter. To extend my thoughts to full blogs was difficult. I assume that I’m so used to tweeting quick-liners, that when placed with more space to express a single thought I really had to apply myself.

This space is more opportunity than others. In my opinion, the term “blog” has a very freeing ring to it. With today’s technology, blogging is a huge part of many people’s lives, in some cases a huge part of their career. For most people, though, blogging is an outlet. It is a space to share ideas and connect with people all over the world. Writers should still pay close attention to what exactly they blog on the internet, regardless of medium. But with blogging, I find that the temptation to feel like you have freedom to really state opinions is stronger. This poses potential problems, specifically in younger generations. At this point, middle-aged bloggers are aware (or very well should be) of what is okay to say on the internet and what should probably be left in the kitchen drawer.

With many influences available, blogging opens up the door to people being easily swayed and misinformed in order to feel like they are connected to a large scale group of people. This results in blogs about blogs about blogs, either continuing to misinform or hopefully establishing lines of truth in a tornado of gossip. Blogging presents the opportunity for writers to feel listened to and excited to be heard, while it also can result in people following others for the sole reason of belonging.

In the end, can we all please (write and respond and listen and reflect and write some more) …get along?

Facebook: I think we should take a break…

Actually, this is really happening because my teacher told me to do it. But Facebook… you occupy a lot of my time. I almost wish I had done this last week, considering I barely slept due to all the work I had to do. This week will consist of everything I have been missing out on- reading, sleeping, breathing. You definitely keep me entertained, but you’re to demanding! I’m going to listen to Professor Kopp’s advice and take a break from you for a little while.

I hope we can still be friends… or I hope the friends that I have on Facebook will still be my friend, whom the majority I truly will not miss. Sorry, not sorry! I’m excited to be without you and see how it affects my life. This may or may not turn into a permanent thing, but ours was truly an affair to remember. Have a good week 🙂