Month: August 2025

 

During my study of digital literature a few things have really struck me. I have also been interested in the benefits of using technology to aid in my teaching – whether it be a simple video to communicate a key learning in a fun way, or creating with a variety of digital tools. However, studying the value of this kind of literature has deepened my understanding of what this kind of storytelling can bring – not only to the classroom, but to our communities.

Digital storytelling brings connectedness through its accessibility

Technology has revolutionised so many areas of our lives – but it has not diminished the power of story. At the very essence of who we are as humans, we love to tell and to hear stories – it helps us make sense of who we are and what happens around us. Digital technology helps to bring these stories to life in a way that pushes even the boundaries of our imagination – it brings a sense of reality and ‘nearness’.

(Monson, 2016) discusses that concepts of immersion and interactivity as being critical theories around digital literature. We have all at one stage been so immersed in a book we couldn’t put it down and we have lived vicariously through the characters in our favourite stories. The article goes on to take this a step further but citing (Rogers, 2016) who discusses that ‘media changes everything – it breaks the barrier so there is no fourth wall. You are part of it’. Imagine using VR technology to walk along the Crescent in Bath with the characters of an Austen story? Or be on the battlefield with Jamie Fraser in one of the Outlander books? I feel like its the closest to time travel my creative brain will ever get!

This storytelling connects us all. Because of its digital nature, the same story can be seen and read and heard around the world – bringing a intimacy to the reading experience that broadens the individual reading experience that is normally experienced through a print text.

The possibilities of boundary pushing and bringing stories to people that may not ever pick up a book is one of the many benefits of digital literature.

The more the merrier I say!

 

References

Monsen, Y. (2016, December 16). Brave new literature; Digital textuality, technology, and cyborgian humanity. Medium.

 

 

Conflict is not something I enjoy. I don’t think many people actually enjoy it – but my natural tendency is to avoid it. I have improved over the years in this area and now push myself to have those tricky conversations when necessary, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable.

When I completed the conflict resolution questionnaire, I was not surprised to see that my top result was ‘The Avoider’. (Psychologia, n.d.) describes the avoider as follows:

Style I – The Avoider
You usually avoid argument and change the subject when tension appears. This can be helpful for small, unimportant issues, because everyone stays calm. But when a problem really matters, constant avoidance hurts you. Your own goals get pushed aside, unspoken anger builds up, and relationships suffer from silent, passive-aggressive behavior. In the end, the stress you tried to escape stays with you every day.

This is fairly accurate of me, but one I am working on as I realise the critical importance of being able to manage conflict in a healthy and productive way. My reflection is as follows:

• What is your predominant approach to managing conflict?

I can be hit and miss. At times, especially when it is a subject I feel passionate about, I will engage in those tricky conversations for the sake of the issue at hand. However, I do find it uncomfortable to have to challenge people under my leadership around different things, especially when it is something that they are doing that needs to change.

• Does this match to how you think of yourself?

This is such an interesting question – because it doesn’t match to how I see myself or how passionately I feel about what I do. I am really tough on myself and don’t allow myself mediocrity in many areas of my life, yet I am way more generous with others (probably not a bad thing). I do think it is important to move towards my inner me and my outer me matching more successfully.

• What areas do you think you need to develop?

I would like to work on being able to have the challenging conversations when needed. I can do this by helping prepare for these conversations beforehand so I don’t get flustered on the spot. Practice will make perfect (well sort of!) and I am guessing that the more I do the hard things, the easier they will get.

Psychologia (n.d.) What’s your conflict resolution strategy? Tests. https://psychologia.co/conflict-resolution/