Jess Edwards hosted this event at Manchester Metropolitan University. It was the first English Subject
Centre event to focus on the different ways we are using technology to teach Creative Writing, and it proved to be quite popular. In short, 10 minute, presentations we learned how colleagues are using mixtures of cutting edge and everyday technology to help their students create incredible work.
We saw demonstrations of PowerPoint poetry (Judy Kendall, Salford) and text message poetry
(Nigel McLoughlin, Gloucestershire). We saw a student literary magazine that is interactive and lives in the virtual world of Second Life (Jennifer M. Young, Hertfordshire, see pp. 28-30). We learned how colleagues use their VLEs for writing exercises, critique circles and creative-critical assignments (Candi Miller, Jackie Pieterick and Rosie Miles, Wolverhampton). Two panel discussions about distance learning Creative Writing degrees (Lancaster and Manchester Met), presented case studies of the challenges (both institutional and practical) of building and sustaining an online degree programme. The day drew to a close with a plenary discussion which pointed to possible topics for future events, such as: Does online/distance learning place unusual demands on students? How do departments address the invisibility of distance learners and distance tutors? Is there a digital divide in the UK and if so how is it configured?
Want to know more? Further details and session abstracts can be found at
www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/events/event_detail.php?event_index=178
Videos of most sessions can be viewed on our website’s Media Player at
www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/archive/mediaplayer/player.html
