Multi-genre comes of (Digital) Age Neil Witikko The College of St. Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota
1992 – Duluth Community Writing - Paul Collins (2001) “Talk” as research
Years of traditional multi-genre papers Environmental “problems” – photography Local history documentary
How might we empower students to research local topics/issues/people, blending multi-genre writing with multi- modal digital publication methods?
Free (or very inexpensive) Easy to use Easy access Real audiences My Goals Free (or very inexpensive) Easy to use Easy access Real audiences
Word Press blog Lots of choices Work-in-progress of one possibility
http://multigenre21.wordpress.com/
Research possibilities Local history Social issues Local environmental issues Local people Local organizations/causes
Blending traditional multi-genre writing and multi-media modes Strengths? Blending traditional multi-genre writing and multi-media modes Cross-content collaboration Technology is available and easy-to-use Most available in any school setting Blogs are free Potential for real (and very big) audience Students uncover “primary” resources
Common Core Standards Students Strengths? Media Literacy Writing Listen Summarize Analyze Synthesize Apply
Creative video production (in addition to interviews) Strengths? Critical thinking about historic artifacts (e.g. photos, video footage) Intentional and intelligent use of camera (video and photography) to capture “primary” research Creative video production (in addition to interviews) Perspective-taking
Connection to community Strengths? Connection to community
Availability of technology Student buy-in? Considerations? Learning curve Availability of technology Student buy-in? Sensitivity to “truth telling” with local history
Other possibilities? Other experiences?
Bibliography Collins, P. (2001). Community Writing. Routledge. Hermantown, 1874-1976: A History of Hermantown as Remembered By Its Citizens. Levander, R. & Johnson, D. Personal Interview. Macrorie , K. (1988). The I-Search Paper, Heinemann. Romano, T. (1995). Writing With Passion. Heinemann. Romano, T. (2000). Blending Genre, Altering Style. Heinemann. The Jackson Project: Ties that Bind.
Neil Witikko nwitikko@css.edu Contact information Neil Witikko nwitikko@css.edu