Coming from an online marketing background, I was truly intrigued with and content to see that the English department at City College offered a digital literacy course because most institutions are well behind the digital curve.
Prior to taking the course, I had many expectations. I imagined that we’d touch on the history of the web and how it has impacted our world. And, we did. I expected that we’d talk about social media entities like Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and MySpace because they are the most prominent digital tools. And, we have. I also expected that we’d spend the rest of the course focused on how to teach using these tools while discussing tools like blackboard and discovering other teaching or education specific digital resources. We did a little of this.
Although I was introduced to several new digital tools like Jing, Wordle, WordPress, and Prezi, I was hoping to also learn about education specific digital tools. Still, what I learned about the tools mentioned was…amazing. It’s surprising how much I have used these tools since their introduction to. I have also shared them with my former co-workers in online advertising. All of hem were amazed at these tools and have adopted one or more into their daily work routine. However, Jing has been the “star player” because in online marketing many screenshots (computer screenshots) are taken for client presentations. For example, when a campaign launches, screenshots of the online ads (on various sites) are taken and send to the client in a PowerPoint presentation as proof the campaign has launched.
What has impacted me most in this course is the realization that it is impossible for there to be a “digital guru” because the web is so vast and expansive. A new application, website, or digital product is being create every minute of each day. We can only begin to scratch the surface of the digital relm with the assistance of computer based programs like search engines (i.e., Google, Yahoo, Bing, AOl) or plug-in tools like “Stumble Upon” and through subscribing to RSS feeds. Although I feel besieged by the vastness of digital life, I have become obsessed with Stumble Upon. Everyday I spend time on it and find a new site to add to my list of favorite links. Taking this course has been eye opening as well as over whelming. There is so much available in the digital space, but it’s up to the digital user to figure out what is essential to their life, interest, work, education, etc.
I was also impacted by the idea that everything we do online is a form of composition. The fonts and colors and images and videos we use to tell a story are all part of composition. I used to only think of this is digital communication, and outside of blogs and online newspapers, I didn’t consider the design of a website as composition. I am now able to see the two as one, working together to create the look, feel, story...
The final project was a "blast" that took me out me comfort zone. I have a MacBook and I hardly get to explore all its features and programs because I have never had a real reason, project, or deadline. Now that I am more comfortable with iMovie, for instance, I'll be able to create more videos. I'm actually going to work on two videos: one in the coming week to post on the Facebook page of my church youth group and the other at the end of August documenting my mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico.
The whole process revitalized my love for the arts and kindled a new passion for the digital arts. I have been wanting to complete a graphic and computer design certificate program at FIT, but perhaps I'll look into an MFA program that combines technology and creative writing. These are two areas of interest in my life. I'd love to be able to design my own website, book covers, business cards, etc. I'd also like to explore documentary film making and fiction writing. For these to overlap, I realize I'd need to pursue an individualized study graduate program. This could all be wishful thinking. But, until I decide what to do, I can always fiddle with different programs and go through the "discovery process" involved when exploring new media.
Appreciating, enjoying, learning, and growing from the digital discovery process is what I have taken away from this course.
The final project was a "blast" that took me out me comfort zone. I have a MacBook and I hardly get to explore all its features and programs because I have never had a real reason, project, or deadline. Now that I am more comfortable with iMovie, for instance, I'll be able to create more videos. I'm actually going to work on two videos: one in the coming week to post on the Facebook page of my church youth group and the other at the end of August documenting my mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico.
The whole process revitalized my love for the arts and kindled a new passion for the digital arts. I have been wanting to complete a graphic and computer design certificate program at FIT, but perhaps I'll look into an MFA program that combines technology and creative writing. These are two areas of interest in my life. I'd love to be able to design my own website, book covers, business cards, etc. I'd also like to explore documentary film making and fiction writing. For these to overlap, I realize I'd need to pursue an individualized study graduate program. This could all be wishful thinking. But, until I decide what to do, I can always fiddle with different programs and go through the "discovery process" involved when exploring new media.
Appreciating, enjoying, learning, and growing from the digital discovery process is what I have taken away from this course.
I know, we both have MACs and aven't really explored all the features we paid for! Well, now i feel better about that...being "blasted out" your comfort zone and managing it makes one that much eager to keep going at it.
ReplyDeleteHere's to uncovering everything a MAC can do...and having fun doing it :-)