*I am currently working my way through my fourth semester of the Information and Learning Technologies master’s program at University of Colorado, Denver.  This is the fifth post within a series of reflections that I’ve been assigned to write for a course titled Digital Storytelling.

Weeks 10 & 11

When it comes to my school work, these last two weeks have been beyond crazy!  I’ve never felt so behind (for the second time this semester by the way) but I am trucking along, making my way with getting all caught up!  I’ve been extremely grateful for this specific class, as it’s been both stable and yet flexible at the same time.  I’ve been able to work on some truly creative assignments and I’ve learned of some of the most amazing digital storytelling organizations out there!  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this course, more than any other I think, and I’ve completely redefined my idea of what digital storytelling was.

Here is a snapshot of what I worked on over weeks 10 & 11 (or you know…whenever *wink wink*).

• I created the Money Maker 5000 for a Daily Create!  If only it were real…
• I couldn’t pick between two captains in a Mashup assignment from the DS106 Assignment Bank.  One promises enlightenment and peace while the other promises wild adventure.  I mean, who could pick?  
• I critiqued a stop-motion animated film titled, FOOD.  My theme for the semester has evolved into a self-reflection through food and this video includes audio clips of people discussing the impacts of their own food choices, but the narration is set to animated food talking.  It’s a wonderful short film and I highly recommend taking some time to watch it!
• I wrote a response to Real Food Media, an organization that is devoted to growing the movement for sustainable food and farming around the country and the world.  I was ecstatic when one of the organization’s members actually engaged with my critique by leaving a comment on my blog post!  (This has actually happened a few times now and I am starting to get addicted to the power of social media!)
• I created a masterpiece with with triangles for another Daily Create.  My Boston Terrier Frankie could be famous someday.  (Probably not, but a girl can dream.)
• I went on a Gallery Walk of all the blogs by fellow students in my Digital Storytelling class.  I truly enjoyed looking through everyone’s work and I was so impressed by and amazed at most of what I read.  I still don’t feel qualified to “critique” other people’s work, so I was more than happy to be able to wax poetic about all of the things I loved!  
• I critiqued a short film titled, The Purple Pig.  It’s the final episode of the HERITAGE series from Tastemade.  The film is about a two time nominee for the James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef, and a fourth generation restaurateur.  I really enjoyed the elements that pertained to his family’s heritage and the food traditions he had throughout his life. 
• I responded to chapter eight of Joe Lambert’s Digital Storytelling: Capturing Lives, Creating Community in which I read a nice overview on what storyboarding is and why one should do it.

As always, I give myself a ten!  Of course I have room for improvement and of course I know I have more to learn.  But I put my best foot forward in every single post I write.  My tens don’t mean that I think I am perfect, they mean that I think I did my best work possible.  🙂