Another day into Cultural eXchanges week at DMU, and another lecture takes place. "Information Obesity: Cutting the Flab of Information and Building Intellectual Fitness" was incredibly thought-provoking, though strange.
Straight into the lecture (beginning at 4pm so my mind was already on food), the first fact that stands out is that we make 200 food choices every day. Lecturer Tara Brabazon used food analogies throughout, showing the similarities between our over-eating habits and our ignorance when researching. She constantly reiterated that Google gives us comfort; whatever is entered into the search box regurgitates information of the same level.
During the Q&A section of the lecture, the 'ignorance' of students and how 'horrifying' it is that students 'don't know how' to do research was discussed. As the only student amongst teachers and lecturers, I was filled with guilt and felt the need to run to the library and spend hours doing research, before I remembered that was exactly how I'd spent the morning.
Tara Brabazon herself was unbelievably energetic and a joy to listen too. She was very enthusiastic about the subject. Unfortunately, there is no denying that when I left the lecture theatre, I was thinking about pepperoni pizzas, burgers and other fast foods that she'd used as analogies when describing our attitude to online knowledge. Instead of doing the research, I headed to MacDonald's.
Maybe I should make 190 of my daily food choices "No! Do your work. Leave the chocolate alone!"
A A Wilson
Showing posts with label student. Show all posts
Showing posts with label student. Show all posts
Friday, 5 March 2010
Well done, class of 2010!
After the initial embarrassment of walking into the wrong lecture theatre, I managed to fine the right room for the Student Publication Launch. Most of the final year Creative Writing students lookws more nervous than I need to say.
I wasn't looking forward to it. Two hours seemed far too long to sit down and listen to other people talk about their work. Little did I know what a treat was in store for me.
After a short introduction from Jonathan Taylor the first group took to the podium. No doubt their stomachs dropped as they faced the audience of around 60. But what a marvellous job they did. Jordan Bacon, Tom Haymes and Rob Cotterell started the launch with a bang and soon got the audience in fits of giggles as they interpreted the language of the north for the benefit of southerners.
Highlights of the second half included T-shirts for dogs to raise money for charity. Good thinking Alexia Polemidioti, but I have to agree with Jonathan Taylor that there should be a range for cats too. There was also ia rather raunchy, graphic but humorous poem from Simone Byer and a website from Lauren O’Brien, who combined fashion and writing with fascinating results.
I’m left with a heavy feeling in my stomach from the realisation that at this point in two years I’ll be standing up there - most definitely quivering like a leaf and crying for my Mother. It was an outstanding event and I can’t deny that all deserve recognition for their hard work over the past three years.
Well done, class of 2010!
Natalia Chrystalla Boileau
How awful!
As I sat watching the third-year, soon-to-be-gone creative writing students discuss their work, it was difficult to think that I and my fellow first years would also inevitably have to face this daunting task at some point too.
How awful.
The third years had produced all sorts of publications, from menus to poetry books, websites, short stories, table mats and even dog T-shirts. One by one they told us why they chose to do their pieces and made it seem almost simple.
All the time my cowardly self was thinking, "Jolly good - but rather you than me standing up there." Yet most of the students seemed calm and genuinely proud to be showing their work.
All the time my cowardly self was thinking, "Jolly good - but rather you than me standing up there." Yet most of the students seemed calm and genuinely proud to be showing their work.
I only hope that in around two years time I'll feel that way - and that the years don't go too quickly.
Leigh Connelly
More than a bunch of readings
I attended the creative writing launch, to check out what I'd be doing in two years time, and wasn't sure what to expect - maybe just a bunch of readings?
But, no it was actually really good, and I was impressed by everyone! To think that will be me, not too far in the future, is scary!
There was a strong sense of creativity in the pieces and the way they were presented. It was obvious the whole group was passionate about writing.
Some of the highlights in the session were Claire Baldwin's Japanese poetry on postcards, Simone Byer who gave a strong reading of her poem "It's been a while", Tom Gray's poetry on wooden blocks (different, but it worked really well), Becki Griffiths' fantastic website based around women's views about getting older, Jennifer Jumbo's poetry based on her religion, George Martin and his professional-looking website, Tom Newport's placemat poetry, not to mention the dog T-shirts... a little bizarre, but really funny and with a good message.
The huge array of different ideas, both in terms of presentation and ideas was fantastic, and gave me lots of ideas to think about. It was definitely the highlight of cultural exchanges so far!
Gemma Carey
But, no it was actually really good, and I was impressed by everyone! To think that will be me, not too far in the future, is scary!
There was a strong sense of creativity in the pieces and the way they were presented. It was obvious the whole group was passionate about writing.
Some of the highlights in the session were Claire Baldwin's Japanese poetry on postcards, Simone Byer who gave a strong reading of her poem "It's been a while", Tom Gray's poetry on wooden blocks (different, but it worked really well), Becki Griffiths' fantastic website based around women's views about getting older, Jennifer Jumbo's poetry based on her religion, George Martin and his professional-looking website, Tom Newport's placemat poetry, not to mention the dog T-shirts... a little bizarre, but really funny and with a good message.
The huge array of different ideas, both in terms of presentation and ideas was fantastic, and gave me lots of ideas to think about. It was definitely the highlight of cultural exchanges so far!
Gemma Carey
Launching the Demon Crew
The Demon Crew Launch was definitely not what I was expecting. I feared some boring, normal readings or monotonous droning, but was really impressed with how much work had gone into all of the pieces - not to mention the pure guts it must have taken to stand up there and read and show their own work. There was quite a range: postcards, train tracks, websites ... even doggy t-shirts.
Not only was all the work of an exceptional standard, the students were all great performers. They really knew how to work the audience so that we were laughing when they wanted us to, and silent and thoughtful when that was needed.
I only hope they haven’t set the bar too high for when I get to that stage in a few years time. I’m starting to practise my cues now.
Rachel Robson
Not only was all the work of an exceptional standard, the students were all great performers. They really knew how to work the audience so that we were laughing when they wanted us to, and silent and thoughtful when that was needed.
I only hope they haven’t set the bar too high for when I get to that stage in a few years time. I’m starting to practise my cues now.
Rachel Robson
Next, my Japanese T-shirt website
On Thursday morning all the final-year students studying Creative Writing showcased their work at DMU's Cultural Exchanges week. I have to say, I was seriously impressed. This was no bog-standard poetry/prose reading. We saw everything from writing on the body, to dog T-shirts and D-I-Y poetry on wooden blocks.
The dedication, passion and imagination of the students was infectious, and somehow I came away wanting to create a Japanese poem on a t-shirt with a website on the back.
Who knew creative writers could be so... well, creative?
Naomi Marcus
The dedication, passion and imagination of the students was infectious, and somehow I came away wanting to create a Japanese poem on a t-shirt with a website on the back.
Who knew creative writers could be so... well, creative?
Naomi Marcus
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Men in Breeches
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, March 2009. I was a stay-at-home Mum who had recently left a career in banking. I'd noticed in the local paper that Andrew Davies (the TV scriptwriter famous for his BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice), was speaking at DMU's Cultural eXchanges week.
"Well, that's a good way of spending an hour or two," I mused, as pictures of Mr Darcy fresh from the lake ran through my mind. What a fascinating man! I mean Andrew Davies, of course. He brought a wealth of inside stories from the world of film and TV. University seemed another world to me then.
Fast-forward to March 2010. I'm a full time first year Creative Writing and English Language student at DMU and have booked to see nine events in Cultural eXchange week, 2010.
I met a teenage hero of mine on 1st March, Alexei Sayle. Several of his comments struck me: everyone is searching for significance and safety. How true - we all want to matter somehow, and feel secure.
His thoughts on the similarities between Santa and Stalin were sickle-sharp. I'm not sure I'll look at either of those two 'great leaders' in the same way again.
Finally, his method of writing comedy was inspiring: take a mad, insane leap into the great unknown, don't be Earth-bound. I may take that as a new mantra for my own writing.
(Meanwhile, for those of you who like men in breeches, here's a picture of one of the men I've discussed in this post.)
(I bet you're glad it's not Stalin in the red breeches.)
Sally Jack
[photo by Shawn Lee from wikimedia commons]
Last year, March 2009. I was a stay-at-home Mum who had recently left a career in banking. I'd noticed in the local paper that Andrew Davies (the TV scriptwriter famous for his BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice), was speaking at DMU's Cultural eXchanges week.
"Well, that's a good way of spending an hour or two," I mused, as pictures of Mr Darcy fresh from the lake ran through my mind. What a fascinating man! I mean Andrew Davies, of course. He brought a wealth of inside stories from the world of film and TV. University seemed another world to me then.
Fast-forward to March 2010. I'm a full time first year Creative Writing and English Language student at DMU and have booked to see nine events in Cultural eXchange week, 2010.
I met a teenage hero of mine on 1st March, Alexei Sayle. Several of his comments struck me: everyone is searching for significance and safety. How true - we all want to matter somehow, and feel secure.
His thoughts on the similarities between Santa and Stalin were sickle-sharp. I'm not sure I'll look at either of those two 'great leaders' in the same way again.
Finally, his method of writing comedy was inspiring: take a mad, insane leap into the great unknown, don't be Earth-bound. I may take that as a new mantra for my own writing.
(Meanwhile, for those of you who like men in breeches, here's a picture of one of the men I've discussed in this post.)
(I bet you're glad it's not Stalin in the red breeches.)
Sally Jack
[photo by Shawn Lee from wikimedia commons]
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
The one-day Cultural eXchanges experience
4 Events. 1 Day. 250 Words?
Ouch.
When I first booked the events for Cultural eXchanges I figured getting everything done in one day would be to my advantage. Cheaper on train fare and it meant a few days off to catch up on my reading.
What I didn’t realise at the time, was that I’d created a situation for myself where I had to run from the ground floor, up to the third, and then right back down to the bottom again. It didn’t take long to start regretting my decision.
It was a long day that didn’t start off particularly well. There was a crowded train journey and then a 50 minute wait before the first talk that just didn’t grab my attention, despite some interesting material on Modernist Magazines.
Luckily, the day got better and better as it went on and ultimately the whole thing was certainly worthwhile. I moved to Postgraduate Creative Writing, which was thoroughly enjoyable, if a little short. Then onto ‘The Front Room’ with a fascinating, and amusing, insight into the lives of Caribbean immigrants. Finally, there was Alexei Sayle, who, despite being late, kept the audience laughing and time just flew by.
At the end of it though. The most profound thing I’ve learnt?
The freezing lecture theatres that I study in, actually have heating that works. Who knew?
Natasha Rowinski
Ouch.
When I first booked the events for Cultural eXchanges I figured getting everything done in one day would be to my advantage. Cheaper on train fare and it meant a few days off to catch up on my reading.
What I didn’t realise at the time, was that I’d created a situation for myself where I had to run from the ground floor, up to the third, and then right back down to the bottom again. It didn’t take long to start regretting my decision.
It was a long day that didn’t start off particularly well. There was a crowded train journey and then a 50 minute wait before the first talk that just didn’t grab my attention, despite some interesting material on Modernist Magazines.
Luckily, the day got better and better as it went on and ultimately the whole thing was certainly worthwhile. I moved to Postgraduate Creative Writing, which was thoroughly enjoyable, if a little short. Then onto ‘The Front Room’ with a fascinating, and amusing, insight into the lives of Caribbean immigrants. Finally, there was Alexei Sayle, who, despite being late, kept the audience laughing and time just flew by.
At the end of it though. The most profound thing I’ve learnt?
The freezing lecture theatres that I study in, actually have heating that works. Who knew?
Natasha Rowinski
"What does your front room say about you?"
When curator Michael McMillan confronted his audience on Monday (01/03/10) at Leicester’s Cultural eXchanges event with the idea that the front room reflects the respectability of house owners, I thought that is exactly what should be on the agenda of De Montfort University’s services.Apparently, the Caribbean immigrants of the 50s and 60s had to sell themselves to the outside world to gain acceptance. From my experience, some students do not even remotely understand what that means.
Front ro
oms are the only public spaces in the privacy of our homes. Caribbean immigrants used fancy photos, religious paintings such as the last supper or expensive new acquisitions to express their morality and decency. Students' homes that I have seen in Leicester - or in various other places around the world - do not explicitly earn that respectability. As a German international student, it is awkward at first to see British streets with identical terraced houses – I can absolutely relate to the impression those immigrants had. At least they made the inside representational of their individuality.
Students, on the other hand, often leave their rooms completely unattended – no matter whether that concerns cleanness, inventory or elegancy. They all resemble each other.
I think a proper introduction to “the front room - my soul, my sin” at universities could help. For my house next year, I will keep McMillan’s advice in mind: “If you and your front room look good, you will be respected.”
More about The Front Room here.
Nico Lehmann
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