It wasn’t just the nutritional components of presentation night that made it memorable (although it did rose-color an already engaging and entertaining experience). What really stuck were the plethora tools and services available to aid educators and researchers in their endeavors. In terms of educators, this was especially true of unique assignment-crafting. With the ease and accessibility of ReelDirector, the video-editing app Ashley presented, I can feasibly assign a weekend project on a reading and utilize the results for my own pedagogical applications! If I’m in a social-epistemical mood, I might require my students to signup and build a profile via Kathleen’s Wattpad. And I’m digging graphic design at the moment, I’m not hesitating to assign a project around Trina’s Piktochart.
More than anything, the presentations made evident that pre-essay assignments don’t have to be the dry brainstormings and bubble-outlines of yesteryear. Utilizing these technologies won’t only make for more material engagement–their use acknowledges and appeals to the largely digital interests and inclinations of our students.