[stylist] Writing workshops

Wed Sep 21 10:41:48 UTC 2011

Hi Jacqueline,
How long ago did you try to use Blackboard?

Thanks.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacqueline Williams
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 6:54 PM
To: bjnite at windstream.net; 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Writing workshops

Dear Brenda,
Welcome to the group.
I also wanted to take an online course and succeeded in enrolling  in a
course about how to teach an on-line course. Like you, I could not get to a
class. My pitfall was that the Mesa Community College where I enrolled used
the Blackboard Learning Systems to do everything, on-line and off. It is
cumbersome and not JAWS friendly. I had a wonderful teacher who herself
could not find a Blackboard guide for JAWS, and mentioned that they were
changing over within a year to a more simple system. I tried everything to
do the lessons, but had so many technical problems that I was far behind.
The offer was made to let me continue into the next semester, but after one
experience trying to communicate many items to fellow classmates, and
finding that even the spell check worked entirely different and would not
read to me, I gave up. Perhaps others could say what systems were used in
their on-line courses. Some may be very accessible. But just be aware that
it may be key to your success.
Another idea is to call your Library for the Blind and order The Writer
Magazine on four-track tape. It comes monthly and covers every kind of
writing you can imagine. It is a free service. If you feel it gives you the
skills and knowledge you need, you can also get the magazine, have someone
cut out the articles you want to keep and scan those into your computer.
An example, I have scanned into my own about 25 articles called "Poet to
Poet" and have learned about the many forms of poetry.
It seems a long sometimes lonely way to go, but given your situation in a
rural community, it might be the way to start for you.
I was lucky to find a critique group within five miles, get discounted cab
coupons, and would agree with Bridget, that if at all possible, a group
sharing laughs, stimulation, and challenge is something to aim for.
Good luck,
Jacqueline Williams

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Brenda
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 2:41 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Writing workshops

Hi Bridget

I realize the importance of human input and have considered local
classes and groups with no success.  For me the online approach is the
most feasible at this time.  Even if I were totally sighted, I would be
focusing on online options due to my family situation.  Since I am now
blind, I took the step to contact this list.

I live in a rural area with no reliable means of public transportation.
Online classes is a way for me to adapt to my situation.  It is a
start.  I am in a household situation where I can develop the discipline
and grow to the point where the cumbersome travel to a local group or
class might be more acceptable.  Perhaps I might even meet people online
who would want to start a local group.

A local group may be more problematic for me as usually participants
read their work to the group or maybe group members pass around their
work, not sure.  In my case, I never was taught Braille because high
partial sighted students were not given this opportunity.  Even if I
started learning Braille now, I would not be proficient enough to read
in a group setting nor would I be able to read selections of others.

I do appreciate your comments and am very thankful for the links to
online courses list members have sent me.

Brenda

On 9/19/2011 4:08 PM, Brigit Pollpeter wrote:
> Brenda,
>
> Online classes are helpful and beneficial, and many of our members can
> attest to this. The really great aspect of online courses is that you
> can enroll in classes at top institutions, or take from great
> authors/instructors, that aren't available locally.
>
> Have you ever considered taking writing classes at an academic
> institution or community learning center in your local area? If you live
> in a town or city, there usually are places like this where you can
> receive the instruction you're seeking.
>
> We can certainly learn and grow from online classes or reading books and
> other material, but there's nothing like being physically present in a
> classroom. Written communication is a great modern resource, and with
> the advent of the internet and social network sites, we have a plethora
> of ways in which we can connect and find information. Human interaction
> is still an important element to life, though, especially when it comes
> to learning.
>
> I attended a four year academic institution and graduated with a BFA in
> creative writing. Sitting in an actual workshop, giving and receiving
> live feedback and learning from peers and instructors who I could
> converse with and ask questions in person, was like no other experience.
> Before attending university, I'd studied writing by reading books- both
> literature and writing guides- and connecting with other writers, but
> for me, I learned the most once I entered the workshop environment in
> person.
>
> Now, before I get comments in rebuttal (giggle) I understand it's not
> necessary for everyone to learn in this type of setting. I'm simply
> offering another option for consideration, and extending my personal
> experience. What's good for me, may not be for others.
>
> A formal academic setting isn't always necessary either, and of course,
> there is the cost to consider. Writing classes and workshops exist,
> however, in many, many settings. I urge you to consider these options as
> well.
>
> And I'll say this: You say that discipline is one of your biggest
> problems when it comes to writing. Online classes of any subject require
> a lot of discipline. I've taken online courses, and you have to be
> focused, engaged and on the ball about assignments and any interaction
> required for the class or that may be beneficial. Whether academic or
> not, this type of dedication is necessary. If you're seeking structure
> and worried about your discipline, considering an in-person class may be
> an option you want to seriously ponder.
>
> Online classes are not necessarily cheaper either. Look into writing
> classes/workshops at local community colleges, learning centers,
> community groups/activities, etc. There may even be a local writers
> group that meets monthly you can participate with.
>
> Take this for what it's worth. I can only offer my personal experience
> and opinion, and I'd be willing to discuss this more off-list if you, or
> anyone, is interested and wants more info. In terms of accessibility,
> while we're still waiting for the online resources to become 100%
> accessible, we find more and more websites to be so, and many of us
> engage in online activities with little to no issues with accessibility.
> Attending a class/workshop in person, though, can often cut down on
> accessibility concerns.
>
> Again, take this for what it's worth, but I'm, for all intense and
> purposes, totally blind (I only mention this to underline the fact I
> require alternative means for everything in terms of reading/writing and
> other school-related aspects) and I required very few accommodations to
> accomplish what my peers did. I didn't find the in-person environment
> less inaccessible nor did I find it difficult to learn. I graduated at
> the top with few accommodations from my disability services office on
> campus, my state rehab agency for the blind or myself. I say all this
> merely to explain that, for me, I didn't find an in-person learning
> environment challenging in terms of accessibility, and I was able to
> "keep-up" with the rest of the class. It was an amazing experience that
> I recommend.
>
> Again, a four year institution may not be the route for everyone
> especially if you're just looking to just take a class/workshop here and
> there, but there are plenty of other ways to experience an in-person
> setting that provides feedback and instruction through actual human
> interaction. Online communities are great and bring people together from
> all over, but I think many of us would agree that if we could meet
> in-person, the experience would be even better.
>
> So, this is just another option to consider. Community colleges offer
> writing class and many have noncredit classes meant for people not
> pursuing a formal education. Many community centers will have similar
> workshops the public can participate in, and most communities have
> writing groups open to the public and meet monthly. Checking your local
> newspaper, or online, is a great way to find out about things like this.
>
> Regardless of what route you take, the members of Stylist are here to
> support and offer any advice we can. You can certainly pose questions
> right here on Stylist and receive responses from multiple people. Or
> post a sample of writing for constructive criticism and feedback. Good
> luck and keep us posted on your writing endeavors.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:28:31 -0400
> From: Brenda<bjnite at windstream.net>
> To: "Homme, James"<james.homme at highmark.com>, stylist at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Using online workshop websites
> Message-ID:<4E776DAF.5010901 at windstream.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Hi Jim and List
>
> I think the concepts for Jaws and Window eyes are similar .  Perhaps you
>
> could help me figure out how to navigate the sites Atty gave me by
> trying them and seeing what you can do with Jaws.  If you can find
> things with Jaws, I probably can figure out how to do it with Window
> eyes.   I can read plenty on the net and want to read the book "on
> Writing" by Stephen King, but I need the interaction and structure of a
> class to help as well. I am especially concerned about the platform for
> the writing workshops.  The websites Atty gave me do not let you see a
> sample and there is no human phone contact which concerns me.  but if
> Atty did it I probably can too once I learn more about the sites. The
> sites I'm trying to navigate are:
>
> http://www.ed2go.com
> http://www.savvyauthors.com
> Remember, they don't give a sample of the workshop format as far as I
> can tell.
>
>
>
> robert sent me the info about joining the NFB writers group.  My first
> step in that direction is joining this list.  I will consider doing more
>
> as time goes on.
>
> I do thank folks on this list for their time and willingness to help me.
> Brenda
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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