[stylist] Writing workshops

Wed Sep 21 21:13:59 UTC 2011

Hi Jacqueline
FYI When I checked with writersdigest.com this week, they said they use 
blackboard and said it is not accessible to people using screen readers.
Brenda

On 9/21/2011 4:58 PM, Jacqueline Williams wrote:
> Dear Jim,
> I think it has been two years since I enrolled for the on-line teaching
> course using "Blackboard." I also have Microsoft 2003 and JAWS 11. Things
> may have changed.
> Jacqueline Williams
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Homme, James
> Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 3:42 AM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Writing workshops
>
> 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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