That is a great idea. It would be even more fun for members of the Typosphere to reply as the person from history. You could investigate that person's writing style, vocabulary, and idiosyncrasies and make the letter sound real. Could be a hoot.
Ted's not as crazy as he sounds. But writing to dead folk? There was a lady,Diana(?) Something, invited people in the street to write to the president. Which made me wonder about the typewritten word - being mightier than the sword - as an agent for change. Constructing an argument in an even-handed presentation but with an irrefutable premise does three things powerfully with the written word. 1. It makes the writer examine their prejudices viewpoint. 2. In a typewritten form, that argument can make the recipient much more receptive to its meaning. It is harder to dismiss. 3. It is quite empowering to make something physical and send it to the hands of a person you'd hope to influence.
So, letter writing.
But I think that with a little help, you could expand the model beyond your school district. Of course, your greatest advocates for this might well be this year's (or next year's) intake of students to the CTP. You'd need a delivery model and some criteria as well as some hard and soft performance indicators - but it should be possible to roll out a model package. Then you'd have the National Federation of Classroom Typewriter Projects. Imagine that! The model would include some written work, naturally, but a couple of videos would also sell the concept. After all, it is hard to imagine the sight and sound a classroom of children make, typing their thoughts into hard copy.
I suppose both these ideas (they are not new, they are obvious and will already have occurred to you) are about conveying thoughts (a.k.a. messages) from one place to another. Think Pony Express, think the penny black, think e-mail. Words are the servants of thoughts so, having the means to express them is quite important if you are into democracy and all that stuff. Freedom of expression is only available to the articulate. If a typewriter helps someone to be articulate, it becomes a tool of political and social change.
You may not enjoy it, but you're good in front of a camera. :)
ReplyDeleteYou could have them tabulate 2010 census data!
Thanks for that. It might get done faster in my room!
DeleteVery fun!
ReplyDeleteHow about having them write letters to historical figures, or characters from film or fiction?
That is a great idea. It would be even more fun for members of the Typosphere to reply as the person from history. You could investigate that person's writing style, vocabulary, and idiosyncrasies and make the letter sound real. Could be a hoot.
DeleteTHAT is a neat idea. I wouldn't mind taking part in it.
DeleteI don't suppose anyone would want to write to Bokonon, or is Vonnegut too mature for high school students these days?
DeleteTed's not as crazy as he sounds. But writing to dead folk? There was a lady,Diana(?) Something, invited people in the street to write to the president. Which made me wonder about the typewritten word - being mightier than the sword - as an agent for change. Constructing an argument in an even-handed presentation but with an irrefutable premise does three things powerfully with the written word.
ReplyDelete1. It makes the writer examine their prejudices viewpoint.
2. In a typewritten form, that argument can make the recipient much more receptive to its meaning. It is harder to dismiss.
3. It is quite empowering to make something physical and send it to the hands of a person you'd hope to influence.
So, letter writing.
But I think that with a little help, you could expand the model beyond your school district. Of course, your greatest advocates for this might well be this year's (or next year's) intake of students to the CTP. You'd need a delivery model and some criteria as well as some hard and soft performance indicators - but it should be possible to roll out a model package. Then you'd have the National Federation of Classroom Typewriter Projects. Imagine that! The model would include some written work, naturally, but a couple of videos would also sell the concept. After all, it is hard to imagine the sight and sound a classroom of children make, typing their thoughts into hard copy.
I suppose both these ideas (they are not new, they are obvious and will already have occurred to you) are about conveying thoughts (a.k.a. messages) from one place to another. Think Pony Express, think the penny black, think e-mail. Words are the servants of thoughts so, having the means to express them is quite important if you are into democracy and all that stuff. Freedom of expression is only available to the articulate. If a typewriter helps someone to be articulate, it becomes a tool of political and social change.
PS: you come across well in front of the camera.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeletePPS: ...but not as well as Callas, obviously.
ReplyDeleteBut who compares to La Divina? (Excepting Mrs. Magic Margin.)
DeleteThumbs up for the vlog!
ReplyDeleteGood job, and funny. I hate seeing myself on video so I won't be joining you!
ReplyDeleteI bet they would enjoy collaborative writing, where each person gets to type one sentence and pass it on to the next typist.