Blog-REX-Forum

Creativity & Community is the first class I have taken at IPFW where I had the opportunity to use an electronic class forum, blogging, and library express (REX).
The forum is a great way for the instructor to communicate class assignments and upcoming events, and equally great for the student to post assignments and respond to other students postings. I had used "Blackboard" at Saint Francis, but it wasn't nearly as user friendly as the Creativity & Community forum. It's much more effective than e-mail, and allows the reading of other postings as well. I hope future courses incorporate this technology into their class.
It seems like I have purchased a lot of books over the years where I only had a few assigned chapters to read, and the balance of the book went unread. It always seemed such a shame to spend so much money on a book to use so little of it. The more expensive the book, the more critical I am of that practice. Last semester I purchased a hardback theory book for $94.00 and used very little of it in comparison to the $20.00 companion book that I read in its entirety. I guess that's why I am so impressed with the reserve express (REX) through the library. What a great way to access portions of a text or journal without having to pay for the entire publication. It's quick and easily accessible, and there's no expense to access it. Educators should be more "pro-student," and I think this is a case of one demonstrating that!
I have always been somewhat intimidated with doing something new on a computer. I've had so many bad experiences with faulty programs, wrong operating systems, crashes while downloading updates, and the general intimidation of a lengthy learning curve, and the fact that anything new with a computer stresses me out. I sort of felt that way when I discovered I was going to "blog." I had heard the term, but I didn't know anything about it. I managed to follow the instructions and became a "blogger" rather quickly. Once I was up and running, it was easy. I really enjoy blogging and see it as a sort of electronic journal. It's a good way to keep students writing and is a good assignment based project.
All three approaches to accessing, reporting, and responding have been beneficial in this class by accommodating both the instructor and the student and enhancing the learning experience economically and efficiently. I hope to see more use of electronic assessing and reporting in future classes.
Technology really has come a long way since its introduction as a personal computer in the early 70's. My first computer was a Radio Shack 48k that ran a business program and eliminated the typerwriter as my basic reporting instrument. It seemed like years before computer programmers created a viable application for home use. The internet became the final trilogy for the information highway: the computer, the operating system, and the internet.

Third Place-Third Space

Most people would not recognize McDonald's as a third place, nor would they likely know what a third place was. But if they looked back at the far end of the restaurant, they would see a small group of aging men and women clustered around a small table with coffee in hand, in heavy discussion with facial gestures, body movement, and engaging conversations from all. This small group of regulars who patronize this specific location on a regular scheduled basis comprise what has been defined as participants in a Third Place. Third in the sense of home and work being first and second, and third in the sense of regulars who meet openly in a public atmosphere with other regular participants who come and go with freedom and flexibility. This group represents consistency, stability, participation, and a sense of community through their close-nit bonding, common interest, and friendship.
This group also represents Third Space. Third Space is the space where all places are capable of being seen from every angle, a space that is common to all of us, yet never able to be completely seen or understood, a sort of "unimaginable universe" where everything comes together; the real, the imagined, the mind, the body, everyday life. It is the complex totality of potential knowledge and is a thread to the complexities of the modern world achievable only through approximations, a search to move beyond what is known. Third Place is the environment, the atmosphere, the fuel that allows and fosters the permeation of Third Space with the dialogue that brings about through provoking inquiry and questioning and discussing that opens avenues and venues for in-depth conjectures and theory development, that open up doors to other kinds of spaces for discussion, projection, evaluation, and revision. Third Place engenders Third Space by providing a format for discovery, the emphasis to activate and engage the unlimited dimensions of third space, the thirding of both/and also, as Soja would say, in opposition to the lure of binarism with its closed either/or opposition.
Third Space is the playground for mind expaning drugs and hallucinogenic that intellectuals like Timothy Leary and Aldous Huxley engaged in, the search for a universal explaination or revelation that accounts for all the mysteries of the world. Drugs were thought to make third spaces more available and the attainment of universal knowledge assessible to those who were chemically induced. The doors of enlightment were partially opened, but the repercussions of closure were dramatic and injurious to the participants.
Third Space is accessible to everyone. It surrounds us and embraces us, but does not reveal itself without inquiry. It is the "other-than choice that speaks to us. It is the "twilight zone" of movie buffs, or the "third dimension" of musical groups and sci-fi groupies. Thirding allows for the continuous expansion of knowledge beyond what is currently known. It is the basis of conjecture, speculation, and creativity. Thirding provides an alternative, and other-than choice that speaks and critiques through its otherness. It is not just an additive, but an alternative that has elements of similarity and also dramatic differences.

Voices of Three Rivers

Voices of Three Rivers is a compilation of addresses, speeches, letters, and pronouncements from prominent historic figures and regionally known personalities who contributed to the history of our country through their public and private dialogue that represents a verbal history of northeast Indiana. These individuals left words of suppression, dissonance, rebellion, and vision as acts of disobedience, frustration, and insightfulness through the eyes and words of the activist themselves. The life and words are portrayed by actors who reenact the moment through readings left behind. The words are inspiring and insightful and project the same frustrations and anxieties of modern society. The readers are professionals, amateurs, and often just interested individuals' participating in a significant recreation of the verbal history of our past. The message seems to be the importance of what was being said as much as the importance of who was saying it. These were words that engaged people, changed views, and brought forth ideas and issues to the forefront. Many of these individuals were pioneers of dissanance, who took contrary positions to the public policy or thought, who brought forth non traditional thinking and spoke out with strong voices and conviction. These were the dissenters like Susan B Anthony who violated election laws by casting an illegal vote, or Delores Huerta who worked tirelessly for the rights of farm workers in California, or early civil rights activists like William Willis Elliot of Fort Wayne, or the abolitionist Sojourner Truth. These were individuals who left a legacy of activism and were at the forefront of constructive change.
The presentation I viewed of Voices of Three Rivers was a local production viewed on a CD. I thought the presentation was good, with some presenters better than others. I followed the readings with the text I had downloaded from an IPFW forum site, and curiously folowed the omissions, deletions, and enhancements that the readers produced that were not a part of the text or were left out of the presentation. In some cases the deletions were distracting while the additional verbiage that some presenters added actually gave greater meaning to the sentence bening read. Either way, it was a distraction. The presentation would have been greatly enhanced is the presenters could have been in period dress that actually would depict the time frame of the writings and that of the writer. The attire certainly would enhance the presentation and place the author in the appropriate time frame.
It is certainly commendable that a concerted effort has been made to retain the verbal history of Fort Wayne through Voices of Three Rivers. This becomes an interesting format for historic reflection.

YMCA "Third Place"

I renewed a friendship with an aquaintance of mine today at the YMCA. He was working-out diligently on a tread mill attempting to shed fifty pounds he acquired since his retirement this past year. He complained how bored he was since he retired. Just didn't have anything to do, or anyone to do it with. He said he never acquired any hobbies or outside interests during his working years, and now that he is retired, he had nothing to do. Dick is the kind of a guy that would benefit from a "third place." There is home and work, which are importannt activities in everyone's life, but we all need a "third place." A "third place" like a coffee shop, restaurant, or a tavern where "everyone knows your name." A place where regulars hang-out, people come and go, and everyone is welcome. It's really an informal association, but yet it's tight nit with friendships that are deep rooted and lasting. These associations become an important part of life and have a tendency to last a long time. Everyone needs a "third place." It's healthy to interact with others on a routine basis. It adds to a person's enjoyment of life and keeps one laughing and mentally active, essential for a full and complete life. Dick told me he accepted a part-time job as a driver for the senior citizen transportation agency in town. Said he was going to quit though, too many responsibilities and stress with wheelchairs, impaired and disabled seniors. More stress than he had working full time. I told Dick that maybe he should go to Florida in the winter where there are lots of ourdoor activities to get involved in. He said, "the only thing I like about Florida is the weather, nothing else." I said, "Yea, I feel the same way." We talked about the mayor's race, high taxes, and especially all the foreclosures in town. Dick Said, "where are all these people going"? I said, "Their doubling up, moving back home, or returning to an apartment they never should have left in the first place. You know, home ownership isn't for everyone. There's a lot of responsibility owning a home, and lots of additional expenses first time homeowners never think about. I think many of them just get overwhelmed and walk away." This current generation of young people aren't very responsible. They can't hold jobs very long, create immense credit card debt, and divorce their spouse with the first bump in the road. Maybe it's a function of the "throw-away society" they grew up in. Nothing is permament; just replace it with something new and better. Well, Dick said he had to get going. I said, "I'll see you down here later Dick, take care." Maybe he'll be at the Y next time I'm in. Perhaps we'll start our own "third place."

Blog On

I really never knew that a Blog was before I created on. I had heard the term, like so many other new terms that seem to be here today and gone tomorrow, especially in the field of electronics and computers, but I never really knew what it was and never really cared to find out. I think my attitude about new terms and technology stems from the Beta/VHS controversy from years ago when I bought into the Beta technology only to later find out that the VCR manufactures refused to pay Sony a royalty to manufacture a Beta machine. Even though Beta was superior to VHS the movie manufactures discontinued producing in that format, thus making my Beta machine obsolete. I've never been a technology "geek" and that's probably good since I have a tendency to buy consumer products for the long haul, when in fact most are made for the short trip. Technology is great, but it sure can be irritating when your new purchase becomes obsolete as your credit card bill arrives. I was probably the last guy in Indiana to buy a cell phone, and I probably wouldn't have done that without spousal pressure. I guess I'm just too traditional or too set in my ways, or too something! I don't know!
I do like the technology of the Blog. It's kind of a public electronic diary where I can experiment, discuss, disclose, argue, vent, and explore issues in a written format for others to read and comment on. I see my Blog as a "potential place" where I have freedom to express myself, or dissent, or find agreement with any and all issues that I find of interest. I guess it's a kind of "security blanket" that Winnicott spoke about in Getting Restless where I wrap myself in its confinement and confort as I speak out from the security it represents. The Blog enables me because the format allows dialogue in any direction without disabling restrictions that hinder or suppress the free flow of ideas and words. Perhap's it's the "equality of participation" that Winnicott spoke of, or the "zest of participation" he refers to that has an appeal to me. I like the Blog platform where I can dissent from popular positions by showing dissonance and non-conformity without concern for offending someone or being "politically correct." Blogging gives the participant an opportunity to explore new ideas and comment with views that may be in opposition with contempory thought. Probably the best attriibutes of the Blog is that it is free, unrestricted, and available to everyone. It appears to be a very popular tool, many individuals openly profess to be a blogger, and there doesn't appear to be a downside to its appeal or use. I guess I'll just "blog on."

Revision-Reflection-Alternatives in Writing

I give a lot of thought to my writing before I sit down and start typing. I have a tendency to think through the paper I want to write to the extent of what I want to say and how I want to say it . The genre is normally defined by the nature of the writing itself and that genre normally enables or disables what I want to say and how I will say it. In the case of a letter-to-the-editor, I have a limited amount of space and a small opportunity window to captivate my reader and tell my story before the reader moves on. I need to engage the reader quickly and keep their attention through a limited amount of space. Many readers skip to the writers name before they decide whether they read the article or pass over it. I think that has to do with the credibility and authority of the writer, past esperience as a reader, and the merits of what that person might have to say from previous writings. If I start reading a column and the writer says, "you know what I mean" I shut down like a diesel engine that just ran out of fuel. I the writer doesn't show me valid evidence or logic in their reasoning, I rarely continue on with the article. These observations really become the guidelines for my own writing; to provide support and evidence for what I write. Sometimes people just want to vent, or they write from frustration or anger, and those attitudes quickly distort and dimish their credibility and the effort of their story.
I think as writers we ned to reflect on what the purpose of our writing is. Do we want to inform, reflect, argue, or persuade the reader into our belief system, or perhaps just provide a moment of reflection on an issue of general concern to the reader? Whatever the case, we need to keep focus on the object of our writing so that we don't find ourselves speaking to ourself. The writer needs to assess and reassess the objectives of the writing and think about your thinking on the issue during the writing and revision stages. A good exercise is to take a positive position on an issue, and then take the opposite position with another paper. This exercise will help focus on details and strategies, and help clarify thinking on an issue.
There are, of course, alternatives to every writing situation and the exploration of those alternatives. Something may be missing in the piece, or it may be shallow or hallow, or we may feel restricted by the self-imposed boundaries, or we may simply feel restless and unsatisfied. It may be recognition of incompleteness that disturbs the writer. Whatever the case, revision and reflection are opportunities to revisit the writing and reassess the process and post-process of that effort. On a rare occasion, revision may seem inadequate and truely an inappropriate response to my latest effort. The more reasonable and responsible reaction is a complete trashing and a return to invention. Generally these efforts are in response to a good night's sleep and the attitude adjustment that can bring about. Sometimes our mind-set is such that we focus with blinders rather than wide-angle lenses.

Revitalizing "Community"

I'm not sure we will ever see the return of "Community" like that of our forefathers. Times are different today, with computers, internet, cellular phones, cable television, two income families, credit card debt, lack of individual savings, moral degradation, molesters, and economic predation. Broken homes, fatherless children, and nearly 70% divorce rate surrounds all of us. Everyone is chasing the upper middle class standard of living on a lower middle class income. We have become a throw-away, consumer oriented society of wants that exceed needs and income. We are a country drowning in credit card debt, foreclosures, bankruptcy, ethics violations ,and degradation of personal values. We take fewer vacations than any industrialized country and spend more on perscription drugs for hypertension and ulcers than anyone. To make it worse, we are now victims of international terriorism and massive job losses. Do we have time for "Community" and do we need it?
In my community we have a new "splash park." I was opposed to the idea initially, but am gradually changing my mind. I'm changing because I see "Community" in the splash park that I never saw before. I see young families enjoying the water features with their children and the bonding these families are having with other families. There is a genuine common ground for participation and sharing in a healthy open air environment at the splash park. Everyone is welcome, no one is excluded, and there is no charge for participation. While the children are playing, the parents are engaging with other parents, all of whom are participating in "Community."
In the downtown area of my community, we have struggling businesses and vacant buildings like other small rural communities trying to survive the effects of Wal-Mart. People need a reason to come downtown; to shop, dine, or become a participant in 'Community." The attitude of the community must be "Community" for the downtown survival. Communities need to foster activities where participation is open, free, attractive, and safe. Art festivals, car shows, open air shopping, and farmers markets foster the type of atmosphere conductive to "Community." Attractive venues will engender participation which will increase interest and self-perpetuation. Communities need activities every week for the citizenry and visitors who help financially in the support of such endeavors. Continuous activities will foster new businesses that serve the needs of the participants and provide new sources of "Community."
There is a definite need for "Community" within all of us. Isolation and confinement are unhealthy environments for human beings, whether self-imposed or forced. Humans are social beings and need interaction and participation for happiness and health.
Communities need to foster "Community" just as individuals need to participate in "Community." There needs to be life outside of family and work. "Community" provides that third level of activity that everyone needs.

Community

From early spring until late fall they were always there at the retaining wall that surrounded the County Court House in Huntington. These were the retirees who positioned themselves on the concrete parapets facing the rising sun to begin another day of relaxation and conversation with their peers. They were farmer, factory workers, and just plain folks who congregated for companionship and community. Some people started complaining about the "old men," that they were "dirty" and creating an "eyesight" within veryone's view. Some people seemed to be opposed to congregating in a public place that had the appearance of loitering and homelessness. It wasn't long after that the Mayor and Common Council declared it illegal to sit on the parapet surrounding the County Court House, and issued a mandate for those violators to be arrested for loitering. So today, there are no intruders at the Court House wall, and there is no visible participation in "Community" anywhere to be seen.

The Creative Writer

Trying to be creative with a writing project is very challenging. It's not like I can just flip a switch and the creative juices brgin to flow. Sometimes inspiration grabs me by the throat, other times it's like pulling teeth. In order for me to attempt creativity, I need to establish the proper environment to function in. For me solitude is essential. I need to be able to collect my thoughts and mentally explore the assignment in an environment that is protective of intrusion. The confines of my in-home office works best for me. I can close myself off from everyone else, announce my intentions for confinement, and progress undisturbed. Interruptions are creativity killers for me.

Writing Revision

Writing assignments always seem to be subject to revision. Even when completed, the writer often second guesses their message. I'm not sure a writing assignment is ever complete. I think time just runs out. I know in my own writing it often looks different after a nights sleep. Sometimes I discard what I have written and start over. I guess it's the mental state you are in at the time you completed your writing. That can certainly change overnight. A good night's sleep can change your attitude about a lot of things, writing included. A fresh look at a writing assignment can change your perspective in a hurry. I guess that's the idea of revision; an opportunity to rewrite without guilt. When I revise, I try to be concise and clear and think like a reader. It doesn't always work out, but the effort is there

Right a Way

Writing on social and political issues is an interesting way to spend your time with a self imposed writing assignment. A letter to the editor is a good format for this expression. I don't think you necessarily need a lot of background on the issue itself in order to contribute to the public discussion about it. An issue I find interesting in my community is the illegal placement of signs in the public right of ways. Political signs and Realtor signs come to mind as the biggest offenders. My community has an ordinance prohibiting the placement of signs in these areas, but the ordinance has never been enforced in the past thirteen years of its existence. The Community Development office that enacted the ordinance has now decided to enforce it. The questions that immediately came to mind are "Why has the ordinance not been enforced for the past thirteen years?" and "Why now?" It appears counter-productive to enact an ordinance for perceived offenses when there is no enforcement effort in place. Perhaps it was the potential intimidation factor that the originators of the ordinance thought would self-enforce any violations. Some signs have been permanently installed in the right of ways. Community and religious organizations and local businesses make up the majority of these signs. I rather suspect the enforcement policy will be selective and self-serving. How can you squeeze the triger on your own church?

Teaching the Adult Student

I am teaching English 111 for Ivy Tech this semester. It's the first time I have taught an academic class. The majority of my fifteen students are adult learners. They have some distance from their prior writing class. I had them write a short essay "My Writing Experience" in class. The students expressed a general dislike for writing, and often spoke of bad experiences in the past. Most felt they were poor writers, while others couldn't see the point in taking a writing class. All the students hoped their attitude and ability to write would improve by taking this class.
I know that adult students learn differently than traditional students. They respond more favorably to a structured environment where collaborative efforts and textual instructions are emphasized. Adult students respond favorably to concrete examples and individual attention rather than the "sink or swim" approach often presented. I think teachers need to take more responsibility for the success of their students by exercising alternative approaches to teaching, particularily adult student. Adult students respond favorably to individual attention where they feel comfortable expressing themselves privately. Many of these students have been mocked, ridiculed, or embarrassed by their teacher or fellow students in the past. Most adult student wrote of at least one bad experience in an English class.
The vast majority of my students are eager to learn and are receptive to new ideas and techniques. Clustering, brainstorming, and freewriting are examples of idea stimulators that find acceptance with adult learners.

The Lives of a Cell

Several years ago I traveled to the Peruvian Amazon on river boat. Most of our time was spent on shore, treking through the dense rain forest searching for native villages and wildlife. I can recall "leaf eater" ants crossing our paths with dime size pieces of green leaves held over their body as the scurried in single file to a mounded entrance hole in the ground. As they disappeared others were leaving for a return trip to the soon to be leafless plant. I dropped a large leaf accross the traveled path to see what the ants response would be. They quickly found an alternate route around the fallen leaf and continued on without delay. They appeared driven to complete their task. It would be interesting to mark an ant for identification purposes so you could record the number of trips one made in a specific period of time, and how long lasting that effort would be. I suspect they continue on until they expire, having fulfilled their predestined purpose for existence. Interesting, the lives of small creatures. They appear to be pre-programed for their purpose and function in life, or they have an extremely short learning curve.