Thank you for considering the hard work I have done in this class. I’d like to share with you the experience I have had in Entrepreneurial Writing on the Web. Last semester, I took a first year seminar in which I simply showed up for an intriguing class, listened to a brilliant professor, wrote a pair of interesting papers, and made an easy A. I had a great experience with a first year seminar and hoped for something just as positive this spring. I looked deeply into the list of seminars. I found this class at the last minute and was immediately drawn to it due to my interest, not skill, in technology. I decided to take this class with no expectations or ideas of what it would involve.
When I showed up late on the first day of class I thought that this would probably not turn out great for me. But, by the end of the first class period I was very excited about the semester. The first assignment was a playlist? I make playlists all the time. Little did I know that I would find myself spending countless hours working on this assignment and others for this course, and really enjoying them in the process. I’ve played around with different types of software for years, but never with a purpose or an audience. As a part of this class, this community, I have expanded my computer skills as well as my communication skills.
While this course has been the most computer-focused of any class I’ve taken, it has also been the class in which I’ve gotten to know the most people. The effectiveness of this class website is representative of the future of education and of business. In this way, it is entrepreneurial beyond its material. This is only clear to me through reflection, as my constant connection to the Internet skews my perception of reality. It is hard to imagine there are people not connected to the Internet. It’s a little sad to say I’m definitely closer to those I can communicate with through social networking and electronic messaging than those who do not use these forms of communication. My younger sister asked me last week “Do your teachers try to use technology, like in high school?” This reminded me of my rural high school and the extreme difference between that experience and the one I’m having at UNC and especially in this course. I tried to express to my sister that it’s not that people are trying to incorporate technology but that we use technology. How different would this class be without ibranding? It would not be the success it is without the ability to post comments and material at anytime and to update them in the same manner. Sure a listserv and email could start to drive communication for a class like this, but it would be in no way as effective as our class website.
I’ve faced a reality check in the way things will become. Technology is our future and it is so important to embrace it. Through assignments, especially the podcast, I’ve learned to use new software like audacity, iMovie, and zamzar and I’ve realized that nearly anything can be accomplished with a little bit of time and a few Google searches. This knowledge lead me through the process of building a personal website. My senior year, I built a website for my high school’s IB program using HTML codes and it was incredibly time consuming. When I began to understand the existence of Web 2.0, I was amazed. I was so excited to play around with something completely new to me.
As things happen, this class has made me consider my future. I hope to major in business but I have no direction for my life in mind. All of the work I’ve done on the computer this semester has reminded me of the enjoyment that I get out of this work. I hope to one-day find a job that really incorporates technology, as this class has. With the skills that we’ve developed, anything is possible. Not many courses can claim to provide the tools necessary to start a business. This class has.
While I know I will use all of these skills, the greatest innovation I’ve felt has been in my writing. I can write about some prescribed subject with no problem, but I’ve always been shy when it comes to writing about myself. The fact that I’m making a personal/professional website shows how much more comfortable I’ve become with writing about myself.
Being a part of this class has been an inspiration for me. I learned how to play the school game early in life. It has been revitalizing to want to do an assignment, to spend more time on something than is necessary, to enjoy learning, to really think about myself, the content, and the expression, and to create. As the semester closes, I’m starting to play the “game” in my other classes. I know the exam score I need for an A and the score I need for a B. I know how these grades will effect my semester and cumulative GPA. In this class; however, I’m thinking refreshingly different. I have considered if I will receive the comments necessary to make third or fourth revisions on my projects. I’ve never worried about anything beyond creating excellent projects that portray my ideas in a way that is appealing to others. This is remarkable.
Playlist
I didn’t think for a second that making a playlist about myself would be an easy task. I’ve made countless playlists and have put a great deal of effort into each combination of artists and genres. I listen to music almost continuously and have a decent feel for what I like. If I had thrown my top eight most played songs on iTunes together as a playlist; however, it wouldn’t have told you anything about who I am. This list is always changing with new releases and the activities of life.
I started working on this project by thinking of my longtime favorite artists; the ones that I could always come back to and love, whose songs I could sing in 10 years without missing a beat. This led me to George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Hootie and the Blowfish, and John Mayer. I learned quickly that my favorite artists did not encompass who I am anymore than my most listened to. I ended up browsing the roughly 2500 songs in my iTunes library until I found eight that really meant something to me. In this process, I looked more deeply into songs that I liked and really connected with them. I thought about the setting in which I had heard songs most often or most meaningfully. I thought about the lyrics and the mood.
I had little trouble with this part of the assignment. I enjoyed listening to songs I hadn’t heard in a while. I then easily located videos and embeddable mp3 players to post the songs on the class website. Where I faced issues was in my writing. I began to type about the songs I had chosen in Microsoft Word. I’ve always been a little uncomfortable writing about myself, even when just a teacher would read what I wrote. After many revisions in Word, I posted a playlist with eight diverse songs and what I thought was a pretty personal description of each song’s meaning. As I had carefully selected each song, I had tons of ideas to write about; just getting them down was a little difficult. I later added lyrics to a few songs in which the lyrics really meant something. I ended up only including a few lines from “Living and Living Well” and “Waiting on the World to Change.”
In reflection, I realize that I included lyrics only on the songs from my very favorite artists. This was probably because I loved so many songs from these artists and selected the songs that I did because of what they had to say. The other songs that I included were unique and had overall appeal.
A simple addition that I made to the playlist was in formatting. I selected words in my descriptions that were especially meaningful and made them bold. You could simply skim the page and get a feel for what my playlist had to say about me.
After leaving my playlist for a long time, I finally went back to it to add musical elements. This was a challenge for me. Although I have studied music, I have never felt confident in describing it. It’s difficult for me to differentiate instrumentals and to really listen to the music behind the lyrics. After listening to the songs on my playlist many times I began to hear the things that really made songs great. I knew that these elements were part of the reason that the songs appealed to me, but I never really heard them until I paid very close attention to the music. In making these additions to my playlist, I made other additions and revisions. In many cases I ended up adding more personal details to my playlist.
In reflection of my final revision, especially the addition of sonic elements of music, I’m left with the feeling that music is only understood through listening, not through words. We’re all familiar with “a picture’s worth a thousand words.” So how many words is a song worth? While I can pick apart the songs on my playlist, they can only really be understood through listening. The inclusion of song clips and music videos is what distinguishes this project from other English assignments. It’s meaningful for me to comment on the elements of the music in relation to myself, but hearing the songs allows a reader to connect with what I’m trying to present about myself so much easier.
This project was a perfect introduction to the class. It helped me to loosen up with my personal writing and truly taught me a lot about my musical taste and about myself. In addition, I got the opportunity to find new music from classmates’ top eight songs. For one to include a song on a playlist this short, it has to have something special about it. Beyond myself, this project gave members of the class the opportunity to learn about each other’s experiences and tastes, allowing for deeper collaboration and conversation in class.
Podcast
The podcast was an assignment that required significantly more than the playlist. It was so open ended that it was difficult to choose a subject. My first idea was George Strait. Without any real direction on this artist, I tried to come up with another subject but I never could get the George Strait idea out of my head. I got started on this project, and as I found new material, I came up with ideas. I really enjoyed listening to George Strait interviews and songs. I found some awesome material and with it, I began to develop an idea of what I wanted to say. Then I started putting things together. I arranged almost all of the content before I began the brutal recording of the segments in which I talk. Sometimes, I felt that no matter how many times I recorded myself I would never sound good. Eventually, I accepted my voice and simply strived for clarity and even-tone. This acceptance helped me to progress with my podcast. While it was at times incredibly frustrating, I enjoyed putting together the pieces of the podcast. I found that putting audio behind my voice sometimes made it sound better and that through manipulation choppy segments can be a fluid part of an arrangement.
The podcast revision was definitely the most brutal part of the semester. It truly was a daunting task. My original podcast lacked fluency and clarity. Of course I understood my podcast as I had dedicated a lot of time to its creation. Through feedback from classmates, it was apparent that it needed revising. The goal of a high quality podcast that truly expresses George Strait's greatness has been the driving force behind the editing process of this work. The freedom and continuity of this assignment and others allow for creativity and therefore promote great material. I’m inspired by classmates work, and the fact that I can listen to other amazing podcasts and read comments about mine prompts a desire in me to strengthen my work.
In revision, I completely reworked the introduction. Just like in an essay, this improved my podcast drastically (at least I think so.) In addition to changing what I had to say, I changed the way I spoke. My microphone is on the front of my laptop screen and I realized it is important to sit up straight when recording. I also changed the sample segment a little bit. I chose not to completely redo this part of my podcast, as it seemed like the best way for listeners to hear a lot of George Straight’s songs in a constricted amount of time. After making these changes and a few other adjustments and re-recordings I feel that my podcast is drastically improved.
While this is probably the project I’d be least likely to share, I know that I gained a lot of skills in its creation. Beyond the obvious audio editing skills acquired, I gained a new appreciation and understanding of revising work. I’m often guilty of writing a paper, being happy with it, and turning it in never to look at it again. Like this podcast, many projects can be acceptable in their original version. In addition, projects can be excellent through review, reflection, and revision.
Website
When we were assigned a website, I was excited but skeptical. I had no idea what I wanted to make a website about and I was confident that I did not want it to have anything to do with me. After searching for personal and professional websites, I began to change my mind. I realized that this could be a great tool to promote myself. My name was available as a domain and while I tried to think of something else, it was the simplest decision. My website is not fully developed. I’ve made many revisions to its layout and I’m still not thrilled with the theme. My first idea was to incorporate twitter as I’ve just begun to use it. This was way too personal. At this point, I’m simply sharing articles and creating blog-style posts. I haven’t gotten incredibly personal yet. I’m trying not to rush into this but rather to let it grow along with my ideas. I may eventually add a resume and a portfolio of papers and projects I’ve done for this class and others.
During the semester, recent updates to a website that must be high caliber are tough. For this reason and because I’m not yet in the routine of blogging and posting, my website is not very developed. That does not mean that I’m leaving it behind, though. After the first session of summer school, I have constricting summer plans. This seems like the perfect opportunity to expand my website and to do all that I want to with it. I’d like to write reflections on books and articles. I may include information on classes I have taken and what I have learned and achieved in them. I’d like to make this section sort of like a portfolio of my education. Inclusions like these seem to be the easiest way to share important things about myself while also promoting the scholar in me.
I think that if I let carolynfagan.com grow naturally, it will eventually be something I want to share with friends, family, and even potential employers. Ready or not, people will have the opportunity to see my website. I’m excited that it is the first result when you search Google. While I doubt many people, if any, are googling me, it’s good to know that something I have control over is the first result they would find. Through the creation of my website, I’ve grown as a writer, thinker, and Internet user. I feel that the skills I’ve developed will be incredibly useful throughout college and as I enter a career in a few years.
Mash-up Video
The mash-up video assignment was a lot of fun, but also a definite challenge. I explored a lot of trailer and music over movie type ideas before choosing to do a video on the 2010 UNC basketball season. I’m a huge basketball fan and I was really thrown off by our season after watching us win the NCCA National Championship last year. I used the Matchbox 20 song Mad Season basically based on the lyrics “This whole mad seasons got me down.” I think this was the sentiment of the entire University regarding the season. It was surprisingly difficult to find quality footage, but I did find some videos on YouTube and I used zamzar.com to convert and download them to iMovie. I listened to this song way too many times and finally matched up some great clips with the lyrics and the stanzas. Little things like Deon Thompson turning around when the song says “I know I still turn you on” may not be noticeable, but I think they exhibit the care that went in to making this video.
Classmates suggested that I use video of the team missing shots, as they did a lot this season. This was a great idea that I had also hoped to do, but it was basically impossible to find this footage with my resources as I mainly got materials from highlights posted by sports broadcasters. I had a few problems with the sound of the original clips, but fixed them simply in revision. While I did change some of the other clips in revision, the main change was an addition of words and transitions. As a new iMovie user, I was unaware of these elements, but I feel that they add a lot to my video. I really enjoyed learning to use this software, and I feel that this is a skill that I can definitely use in the creation of presentations and projects for other classes and in the business world.
I have really enjoyed the Flickr account that I made in this class. “Exploring” the millions of images posted on Flickr is enjoyable and remarkable. There are definitely some fantastic images captured by amateur photographers and posted on this site for the world to see, download, or purchase. The images that I added to my gallery involve nature, lines, and lighting. These elements appeal to me. The photo of the couple dancing that I highlighted for my assignment was unique. It captured light in a black and white image and used reflection to make the image almost surreal at first glance.
The photography assignment was a great lead into manipulating images into collages. The creation of a collage involved inspiration, thought, and organization. To start this project, I searched through hundreds of images to find pictures with symbols and quality. The base of my collage is a picture of a road with a stunning sun shining upon it. I found this image using stumbleupon.com, a fun website that leads one to sites he or she might not see in regular Internet browsing. I really wanted to use this as a central image, but I don’t like the idea of having images just floating on top of each other. I used photo-editing software a little bit in high school and really hated having this issue.
Because this project was focused on creativity, I chose to use a screenshot theme to express that much of what I create involves technology. This allowed me to work a lot of images into my collage without the floating images problem. When I found a few images and arranged them on my computer, I took a screen shot. I edited this image in GIMP. This was the hard part. I used paint tools to blend the beautiful Gerber Daisy with the dock on the screenshot. I also used these tools to expand the picture of the roller coaster out of the window. All of the image manipulations in my somewhat busy collage have a meaning beyond what I can really express in words.
The connection of the daisy to the dock shows that while we can see nature on our computers, we aren’t seeing all that is there. In this case we are missing the connection to the Earth, to reality, the stem. The other main theme of the collage is the contrast between the roller coaster and the road. A roller coaster is an experience- for some it’s fun and for others it’s scary or sickening. When you choose to ride a roller coaster, you let go of your control. The car takes you where you are going and doesn’t allow you to stop or slow down. Alternatively, on a road you can choose your path, your pace, and your destination. In life, you have some sort of choice between these ways of life. In my opinion it is better to live freely, on the open road. I made this apparent through the light on the road. What I also tried to express is the fact that giving up your choices and your control- getting on the roller coaster- can be appealing. For this reason I cut away at the computer window, allowing the sun to begin to shine on the roller coaster.
This collage demanded a lot of work, a lot of screenshots, and even more thought. I have reflected on my constant connection to technology and my collage served as a reminder that I must remember to have a stem, a connection to reality. Sights should be seen off of flickr.com and friends should be seen off of facebook.com.
The second collage that I created had the theme “Beauty in Time.” The two main images were the moon over the mountains and the sun over the water. While these are completely opposing images, a little bit of manipulation allowed them to fit well. I definitely saw my skill-set in the use of GIMP had expanded when I made this collage. I was able to combine two pictures of different sizes by copying and pasting parts in to other areas, flipping and manipulating them, blending, and varying opacity. Over these images, I placed the cutout of a clock. I simply erased all of the clock but the numbers and hands to make it appear as if it had been cutout by hand. After hearing some feedback, I attempted to blend the numbers of the clock into the collage, but I prefer the original version. The collage symbolizes that through time people, places, and ideas change like the hands of the clock or the rise of the moon, but are beautiful in essence of life.
I first commented on the first few chapters of the book, focusing on the idea of prosumers.
I posted about a discount to purchase a domain name.
I commented on Tessa's playlist. I especially liked her inclusion of Ben Fold's Five. Later, I also commented on Tessa's poscast on this artist.
I commented on Tally's playlist and was impressed with her friend's beautiful voice.
I shared the odd but complete personal website of an MIT student.
I commented on Jay's post about music blogging, as I could relate to what he wrote.
I wrote a short blog about how I felt I could contribute to the class and later commented that I had not yet decided on a domain name.
I posted an article I had read in Forbe's about crowdsourcing.
I commented on David's playlist and it's focus on sports. I find it's easy to relate sports to life.
I commented on VV's beautiful voice after looking at her youtube site. I think a music website would be great for her.
I really liked Morgan's playlist. The Sara McLaughlin video had an awesome message and truly stuck with me.
I responded to Joe's blog post when he was looking for a song for his video.
I commented on Emma's awesome Bedrock mashup when she was having trouble with the sound.
I commented on the striking image that Emma shared along with her Flickr Gallery.
I was a little confused about how to post a collage on ibranding, so I asked the class for advice.
Our table came up with some great ideas when thinking of final projects, and I had to comment when Morgan posted one of them as her own.
I though Morgan's collage was very well done.
I commented on the video Tessa posted about a new photoshop feature. It could definitely have been helpful when I made my collages!
I thought the added color in Morgan's revised collage was effective.
Zane did an excellent job portraying a message in his collage.
A few of us argued about the addition of color in Josh's collage.
I liked the road in Will's collage.
VV's final project was very creative and complete.
Emma made some great changes in her revised collage.
Morgan's Hangover/Cinderella mash-up was funny and well made.
The "True Beauty" video that Josh posted provided a strong message about photshop.
I appreciated the feedback Farnaz gave on both of my clock collages.
I related to Farnaz's nicely revised collage.
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This was really informative.
This was really informative. I got a real sense of the work that you have done throughout the semester. I agree that the original clock works well in your final project. Thanks for putting so much energy into the portfolio and the course.
I really enjoy the care that
I really enjoy the care that has gone into the writing of the cover letter. It is engaging, sharp, and insightful. The discussion of the playlist is equally strong. Nice coverage of the revisions and insights into music and identity. The playlist itself seems to be in good shape. I think once you get some more work in on the podcast and the web site, the reflections will expand akin to what you have for the playlist. I look forward to the revisions of the podcast and appreciate the discussion of the composing. What version of audacity are you using? If it is the beta version, there should be a way to move multiple tracks at the same time. Or you can export some chunks once they are complete and move them. I like your Web site. I like that you are flexible about it and comfortable with it evolving. I enjoyed reading this. The cover letter was very thoughtful.