Reflection, Like a Mirror

Reflection, Like a Mirror

At the beginning of this course entitled Multigenre Literacy in a Global Context, I was unsure what that entailed. What I've learned it to mean is the way we communicate globally and literately is through effective uses of technology. It is not only important to be able to use technology effectively, but also to be able to teach others how to use it. I knew how to use computers, the internet, and presentation software prior and didn't think this class had much to offer, but I discovered that using technology and teaching it are two very different things.

Beginning the poetry section by analyzing a favorite song is a wonderful way to introduce poetry to the claimed non-fan. I, being a huge fan of poetry, enjoy music and lyrics for this reason. I’ve heard a quote one time that a short story author is a failed poet- and a novelist is a failed short story author. I am fascinated by the ability that poets have to fit so much meaning into so few words. Attempting to write parodies of songs like Weird Al does allowed me to appreciate the talent and ability it takes to accomplish such a task. I kind of shocked myself when writing my own poetry; by no means do I think my poems were spectacular, but I have written poetry before, and it usually ends up cheesy and sappy.  These ended up slightly philosophical and perplexing.

I hadn't learned about mythology since freshman year of high school and never anything about Norse or Asian or African mythologies. I had only ever studied Greek and Roman, and even those were very brief. Because of my lack of experience with myths and mythology, I wished we were able to spend more time with these different mythologies. As an English major, I think my knowledge of mythological gods and heroes is lacking.

I was impressed with our class’s ability to present new educationally-effective technologies for the classroom. I still use Pandexio daily and think it is a huge tool for anyone reading digital material and taking notes, synthesizing, and/or collaborating. I was impressed with all the features of Google docs and Google+ as I have used them before, but never collaboratively. Working as a group used to be such a pain, going out of our ways to meet up. Now, all these different services offer live collaboration tools online.

Ending the course with Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation was the icing on the cake for me. Language is the most effective form of communication that we have, giving words themselves power, but in the movie, language is a barrier. Much of what is said in the movie is either in Japanese or mumbled and inaudible to the audience. The acting, then, comes from facial expressions, reactions, and mannerisms. In a movie about lack and emptiness, Lost in Translation communicates most effectively through a lack of dialogue.

I am in a fantasy hockey league with a group of my friends from all over the country and since enrolled in this class, I have written weekly recaps for the season. After writing frequently to this blog and others, I feel confident and excited to continue posting to a public forum. Granted, these weekly sports writings mostly consist of player stats and name-calling, but my words are out there for the world to see, and my friends have even claimed to look forward to what I will say each week. Before this class, I had no intention of regularly posting things online, and this blog may not stay alive, but somewhere soon, another will be born.