Creative Writing

Yesterday I gave my presentation on "Little Brother" in my Creative Writing class. The assignment was to focus more on the way Cory Doctorow writes rather than the actual story. I discussed the tone and point of view that he uses. I like that it is Marcus's story and he is telling it himself. It's not coming from some distant narrator. Doctorow makes the story realistic because he does such a good job writing like a teenager would write/talk.

After my presentation, I was curious to check out Cory Doctorow's blog online, http://craphound.com/. He writes about his latest columns for the "Guardian" and new pieces that he is working on. I thought it was cool to read what he is writing outside of "Little Brother." He still kind of writes in a similar way. When I read the blog, I kind of feel like I'm reading Marcus's story all over again.

Muti-modal Autobiography

It was so fun to watch everyone's autobiographies! I noticed a lot of us read the same books and watched the same shows as kids. It seems like everyone read the Berenstain Bears and watched Nickelodeon. It is really cool to think that we all had something in common, way back when, and didn't even know it. I really liked how some people put pictures of themselves from the past on their videos. I wish I would have thought to gather up some pictures of the past!
I was thinking about how nice it would be to do this project with my own class someday. Someone mentioned that it would be a great way to get to know your students and I couldn't agree more! Not only for me to get to know them, but class mates would get to know each other as well. I found a lot in common with everyone in the class. I think this project would be useful to help students relate to one another, when they might not have otherwise.

Little Brother

So last night I finished "Little Brother" and I have to say that I loved it!!! I was only going to read about fifty pages, but I just couldn't stop and finished it. The book was just so intense and emotional for me. I'm giving a presentation in my creative writing class in a few weeks and we are to chose a piece of writing and explain why we like it/why we don't. I'm definately using "Little Brother" because the way that Cory Doctorow wrote the novel had me laughing and crying at the same time. He used such vivid imagery when he was decribing how he felt when he was being interrogated. I also am a big fan of romance novels and I especially liked the little love twist between Marcus and Ange.
I was browsing youtube and I thought I would type in Little Brother and see what comes up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf03XpxCj4g This video is kind of funny to me because it is half about some guy who is a dumpster diver (and reminds me of Zeb from the novel) and the other half is about Cory Doctorow's project where people can upload videos and "how to's" for building technology that is "liberating". He says that "Little Brother" inspired him to put this together so anyone can learn how to use technology in a way that is beneficial to privacy. It was intersting to watch and also humorous because of the random cuts of interview with this dumspter diver. Check it out if you have time!

Privacy

I really liked how the issue of having facebooks, blogs, and myspaces as teachers was brought up today in class. Its actually kind of coinciding with "Little Brother" because Marcus is all about privacy. I feel exactly how Marcus does when it comes to people snooping around. Even if you have nothing to hide, it is kind of eery to think someone is watching you! Unfortunately, that is what one of the major downfalls of using the internet is; unless you know how to protect yourself, what you do online can be seen by others.
I was really nervous when my past professors told me I should delete my facebook and myspace because future employers would be scouting me out online. I honestly think it is a good idea to monitor what you put online and make sure you use the privacy settings, but I don't think we should have to delete everything all together!
Teachers need personal lives just like everyone else, but like Dr. Kist said, we are upholding a certain image as teachers. Some districts and schools are a little more strict about that "image" than others. I might have to consider deleting my facebook when I do start teaching, but for now I see no problem with it as long as I protect myself.