Saturday, January 4, 2020

2019 #DTA #VWEDU: WRITE: Write on site. The scene as a story prompt. Mystery Manor as a story source


Write on site.  
The scene as a story prompt.  
Mystery Manor as a  story source

How a Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) can manage assignments for a class in creative writing where the writing is prompted by a 3D scene. 
Does this desk suggest a story? 

  • DTA: Do you see a story here?
  • Me: Not one.  Several.  An old quill pen tells the era.  An ancient scroll--what secrets does it hold? Maps--maps tell many stories about travels.
  • DTA: Think of a character who fits one of the stories you thought of.
  • So begins one scenario of the DTA as writing coach.

The DTA as a writing coach on site

  • In a virtual world you write in a place. The place is a prompt.  
  • Here are illustrations of how the DTA can use the place to trigger writing practice. 
  • This model would work best in groups.
  • Writing is only a solitary task if you don't want readers.

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Put a familiar character here
  • Me: Minnesota Fats
  • DTA [offering text panel]: Make a drastic reversal in a major characteristic of that character.  Give the character a new name.
  • Me: A svelte blond woman named Lorna Devlin.
  • DTA [offering text panel]: How does that change affect the way that character is treated?
  • This scenario is titled "How to Use Cliches." 

DTA assignments

  • Individuals visit the scene and write answers to the questions in panels provided by the DTA.
  • Instructor may read and comment.

Group task

  • Group (or subgroup) meets.  DTA gives them access to all the responses
  • DTA[offering form]:  The group will pick two of the reversed characters for further work. Discuss, then each person enters the names of the characters and writers in the nomination form.
  • DTA tallies results.  Any character getting a majority of choices is picked. In the absence of a majority, the top two names are chosen for a runoff. 
  • DTA [offering text panel]: ------ and ------ [insert names] are chosen for further work.  The task is to write a scenario for the scene introducing a character you have not created.  You may add other characters and props as you wish.
  • DTA saves responses to instructor evaluation and comment.
What would you find in a maze?

DTA assignments

  • Individuals visit the scene and imagine they find something in the maze.
  • Each describes the find and what they plan t do about it.
  • Instructor may read and comment.

Group task

  • Group (or subgroup) meets.  DTA gives them access to all the responses.
  • DTA[offering form]:  The group will pick two maze finds for further work. Discuss, then each person enters the names of the finds and writers in the nomination form.
  • DTA tallies results.  Any find getting a majority of choices is picked. In the absence of a majority, the top two names are chosen for a runoff. 
  • DTA [offering text panel]: ------ and ------ [insert names] are chosen for further work.  The task is to write a scenario for the scene introducing a find you have not created.  You may add characters and props as you wish.
  • DTA saves responses to instructor evaluation and comment.
Kitchen 1

  • Pick something in the kitchen area

DTA assignments

  • Individuals visit the scene and imagine a story around something found in the kitchen.
  • Each writes a three paragraph scenario of the story.
  • Instructor may read and comment.

Group task

  • Group (or subgroup) meets.  DTA gives them access to all the responses.
  • DTA[offering form]:  The group will pick two scenarios for further work. Discuss, then each person enters the names of the scenarios and writers in the nomination form.
  • DTA tallies results.  Any scenario getting a majority of choices is picked. In the absence of a majority, the top two names are chosen for a runoff. 
  • DTA [offering text panel]: ------ and ------ [insert names] are chosen for further work.  The task is to write a scene from a scenario you have not created.  You may add characters and props as you wish.
  • DTA saves responses to instructor evaluation and comment.
Kitchen 2

Kitchen 3


Kitchen 4

Other challenges the DTA could present

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Related

Exercise scenes and prompts

Worked Exercises

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  • Drop by my web offices Weekdays: 12:-12:30 pm Central time (US)
  • I am available for free consulting on any topic in this blog.
  • Cybalounge and 3DWebWorldz (Orientation room)
  • I will be in both places, so you may need to speak to get my attention.
  • Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary
  • And we can visit the Writer's Workshop on the Web
  • Don't register -- enter as guest.  
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1 comment:

  1. Marianna MonentesJanuary 4, 2020 at 11:48 AM

    Genius! I worked as a reading instructor for children, using the phonics method-Visualizing and verbalizing. I had one boy in the 2nd grade level who could not read. In two months time I had him reading at the 4th grade level by illustrating the scenes as I read to him. Then I would have him read, I would illustrate what he read, he soon began reading effortlessly. These scenes tell so many stories beautifully it will inspire many future storytellers. Visualizing and Verbalizing :) with pen that is.

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