New Media

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Courses: LTST 693 Direct Studies in Creative Writing; MAIS 620 Digital Storytelling

LTST 693 Artifact Reflection: “Creativity in Academic Writing: A Work-integrated Learning Project with Write Site”

Integrative Themes (LTST 693): Academic Writing, Academic Communication, Creative Writing, Storytelling, Digital Storytelling, New Media, Multi-media, Creativity, Work-integrated Learning Community, Community Building

Ah, my work-integrated learning (WIL) project: my MAIS magnum opus! In LTST 693, I was offered the opportunity to work with Athabasca University’s student writing centre, Write Site, to make instructional-style videos on different writing genres. I was surprised to discover I was the first student to do a WIL in LTST 693, so essentially, I figured it out as I went along with the support from my instructors and Write Site specialists. Their encouragement went above and beyond my expectations, as I experimented with wacky ideas for making fun and engaging videos that could teach and tell a story. If the Write Site ever had second thoughts about me and my wacky ideas doing this project, they sure didn’t let on!

I was overjoyed when I reached out to Reinekke Lengelle to see if she would like to contribute a quote or two on creativity in academic writing, and she enthusiastically said yes! Dr. Lengelle also contacted her colleague at Columbia University, Bob Fecho, to record a conversation. Drs. Fecho and Lengelle provided me with half an hour-long footage full of knowledge, writing advice, warmth, and humour. I am so grateful to be able to access their experience and wisdom as writers and educators.

The original idea for this project was to create three videos on fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. However, because I had been researching the creative process in academic writing, I suggested the theme of “creativity in academic communication” and how it could help students feel more confident about their writing abilities while strengthening their technical skills in this formal and sometimes intimidating writing genre.

When I reached out to Dr. Lengelle, I urged her to tell me what I wanted to hear: how can therapeutic writing strategies such as the ones I learned in her Writing the Self course improve student writing? Dr. Lengelle patiently explained that the strategies I learned in her course were different from what I was asking from her, at least, they were not meant for my intended use for them. Dr. Lengelle’s insight worked out for the best: the information I received from her and Dr. Fecho exceeded my expectations in many ways, and it better answered my burning questions regarding creativity in academic writing.

Overall, I am pleased with this WIL project because it is sincere and earnest and contains a wealth of helpful information for all writers, not just student writers. This project was a lot of fun but also a lot of work. Is it super-slick, hi-tech expert video-making? Heck, no, but I still think it’s valuable as a learning opportunity for myself and others.

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MAIS 620 Digital Storytelling Artifact Reflection: “Forgotten: A Love Story in 10 Images”

Focus Area: Writing and New Media

Integrative Themes (MAIS 620): Storytelling, Visual Storytelling, New Media, Multi-media, Photography, Dance

When I enrolled in MAIS 620 Digital Storytelling, I never would have guessed that it would become one of my favourite courses.

I learned the most in this course because New Media is my weakest domain out of all my focus areas. Yes, I can navigate the digital landscape fairly confidently, but I am not an expert in digital technology by any means. I also thought I was a die-hard written-word gal; nothing could be as satisfying as writing.

Perhaps because I was a digital storytelling novice, I did not expect perfection in myself in this course. As a result, I remained open, curious and unbound by risk management. I had a “what the heck, let’s giv’er” attitude, and that mindset allowed me to learn without self-judgment. My mind was moldable clay.

For example, the criteria for "Forgetten: A Love Story" was to create a visual story—no words!—in ten images. I learned that applying elements such as framing images, subject arrangement, colour, perspective (and more) can effectively tell a visual story. We had many projects to do in MAIS 620, so I didn’t have time to second-guess myself or humour the inner critic. I had work to do.

When I began this project, I looked around my immediate environment to see what I could use for staging and props. “Forgotten: A Love Story” was created around Halloween 2023, so I had many costumes hanging around. I live on an untamed property full of natural beauty and a herd of old cars in the back forty. The cat in the images, Fluffy, was a stray who had recently claimed us as his new family, so he plays a supporting role. As a dancer, I experimented with different body shapes and poses to see how I could use them to evoke certain ideas and emotions in still images.

The significant learning outcome I received from Digital Storytelling is that all kinds of storytelling—oral, written, and video—have transferable elements between one another. The ability to find a story and not wait for one to show up is the art of being a storyteller.

Finally, a word on editing. In my WIL project, Dr. Lengelle says, “Writing is re-writing.” The science behind the art of storytelling is knowing what to chop and what to keep. I know that I often keep writing that should be cut. The rather morbid expression, “kill your darlings,” applies to visual storytelling as it does to the written word and is the hardest part of being creative.