1. Multi-genre comes of (Digital) Age
Neil Witikko
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, Minnesota

2. 1992 – Duluth Community Writing - Paul Collins (2001) “Talk” as research

3. Years of traditional multi-genre papers
Environmental “problems” – photography
Local history documentary

4. How might we empower students to research local topics/issues/people, blending multi-genre writing with multi- modal digital publication methods?

5. Free (or very inexpensive) Easy to use Easy access Real audiences
My Goals
Free (or very inexpensive)
Easy to use
Easy access
Real audiences

6. Word Press blog Lots of choices Work-in-progress of one possibility

23. Research possibilities
Local history
Social issues
Local environmental issues
Local people
Local organizations/causes

24. 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

25. Common Core Standards Students Strengths? Media Literacy Writing
Listen
Summarize
Analyze
Synthesize
Apply

26. 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

27. Connection to community
Strengths?
Connection to community

28. Availability of technology Student buy-in?
Considerations?
Learning curve
Availability of technology
Student buy-in?
Sensitivity to “truth telling” with local history

29. Other possibilities?
Other experiences?

30. Bibliography
Collins, P. (2001). Community Writing. Routledge. Hermantown, : 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.

31. Neil Witikko nwitikko@css.edu
Contact information
Neil Witikko