I recently got ahold of Friedrich Kittler’s Gramophone, Film, Typewriter, a book that tells the story of a tremendous 20th-century upheaval, one which many of us (at least I myself) have taken for granted: the downfall of print media and the origins of an oral “renaissance” led by radio, audio recording technology, television, and film.
Social-ize Your Writing Center (with hints from our social media guide) May 12, 2012
We’re always encouraging our colleagues to share the awesome work they do through our social media outlets. If you’re an UCWbLer looking for the best channel to broadcast a new project, or if you belong to another writing center and want some tips on connecting to your students through social media, you could do worse than check out our Quick User’s Guide!
Get Help with Digication ePortfolios: a brand-new resource! May 4, 2012
Maybe you’re a student who recently had to create an ePortfolio for a class, or maybe you’re an instructor, and your colleagues just won’t stop raving about the benefits ePortfolios bring to a class. Perhaps you’re even one of those ePortfolio enthusiasts yourself. No matter who you are, you’ll find something useful among our latest batch of ePortfolio resources.
Support Something Cool: Graphic Textbooks April 20, 2012
Ever wish you could have learned from something more engaging than dry old textbooks in elementary school? Love comics and new media teaching? Reading with Pictures, a nonprofit that has developed graphic novel textbooks that incorporate the Common Core Standards for grades 3-6, has a Kickstarter account – and you can help get some of their super-cool books published. This innovative and fun project makes learning a visual experience and could help grade school students get more involved in such subjects as Social Studies, Language Arts, Math and Science. You can help Reading with Pictures reach their goal by donating, and you get a free copy of the book with your donation. This is a great project to support for anyone who’s interested in education or writing.
You can read more at their Kickstarter page or website.
Narratives for the Earth April 17, 2012
Tuesday marks the second day of Earth Week 2012, which leads up to Earth day on the 22nd, and the world is abuzz with talk about the earth. Interestingly enough, the EPA, partnering with SMITH Magazine, is drawing upon flash fiction and the six-word essay— “a unique genre of writing that focuses on sharing a meaningful story or idea in just six words” (Jessica Orquina, Greenversations)— to get the word out on the world! Between now and June 30th, individuals can submit their six-word narrative about their world to http://www.smithmag.net/planet/. Already a variety of earth writings have been pouring in describing our world in every way from the comical (“Will these six words be recycled?“) to the touching (“Earth’s the only mother I’ve known“) to the whimsical (“Francis and Clare loved the Earth“).
Although each set of six words is so unique, what I find so incredible about this project is how the collective process of sharing these memoirs, as SMITH magazine calls them, creates a broader narrative about our human experience on earth. Projects such as these remind me of how many individual narratives have been brought to me as a Peer Writing Tutor that have shaped the way I view the world of writing and writers as a whole.
So, what are your six words? What would the UCWbL’s six words be?
Happy Earth Week!
Farewell, Writing–Hello, Content! April 13, 2012
In the writing world, and especially in the digital media community, we’re all guilty of obsessing over content. We fret over whether our content is good and whether we have enough of it. Businesses specializing in “content marketing” swear to us that it will be the final word in marketing. But what do we mean by this incredibly unspecific word?
MLA adds format for citing tweets March 7, 2012
Great news for social media-savvy UCWbLers – the Modern Language Association has rolled out the correct format for citing a tweet in an academic paper. If you feel the need to add Kanye West’s deepest thoughts to your next research assignment with perfect evidence of your source, have no fear! The MLA has your back.
Bridging the Digital Divide with Raspberry Pi March 3, 2012
Raspberry Pi, a computer that costs only £22 and sold out within hours of its launch in Britain, makes computers more affordable than ever. So does the $35 Aakash tablet being produced in India. Unfortunately, cheaper devices do not translate into cheaper internet access, especially for broadband here in the United States. (more…)
On Open Access Scholarship February 18, 2012
“Open Science, Open Minds.” That’s the slogan of Intech, an online resource with a wealth of science journals (and books) available for download, for free! I remember stumbling upon Intech and thinking, “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?” Upon posting the link to Intech on the various geography facebook groups I frequent, responses from my fellow geographers directed me to more open access journals related to the field as made available at the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). From boycotts of publisher prices to journal costs scaled by a subscriber’s income, questions about how journals are made accessible and exclusive are on the rise. Upon investigating further, I find myself barely grazing the edges of an exciting and growing movement in free knowledge. Knowing that I have barely scratched the surface, I am curious to know what Open Access Journal resources my peers have come across, and what thoughts you have on this phenomena?
“The Deflector” | Episode 2 of The Breakroom January 26, 2012
Charlotte, Dubs, and Zorno are back for the second episode of DePaul’s newest web series of writing center videos, The Breakroom. “The Deflector” addresses the need to establish rapport in a writing fellows conference, along with recognizing some of the red pen scars that writers may bring to a session. Be sure to listen for the brand new original composition, “(If We) Build Rapport,” written and performed by our own Amanda Bryant and Matthew Pearson.
Produced by UCWbL Films, this series offers a humorous look at peer writing tutoring using dramatic scenarios and relevant research. Let us know what you think!
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