Graphic Novels & L2 Multimodal Identity Texts
Slide Deck:
Options (See detailed expectations for each option below)
1) Engaging the Text(s) and Putting Multimodality to Work/Play
2) L2/Culture Graphic Identity Text
3) Combine Elements of 1 and 2 above.
- Three-to-Four Page Serious Graphic Story (no page limit). Export to PDF and upload to website (or use Dropbox or google drive) or email to me if not too big.
- Use ComicLife (for Mac and PC/Windows). I will not accept Pixton, Bitstrips or AI generated comics.
- For image work, consider curated web images, original photos or artwork. If you wish to try an AI image generator for one or two images, you can do that, to compare and contrast with other modes of visual representation.
- See technical/genre expectations (or considerations) for graphic novels on the image below.
Use ComicLife. Please avoid creating a generic cartoon ‘strip’ (e.g., for small children) and, instead, experiment with genre, remix techniques, original images, curated images, design options, filters, multimodal affordances, layout affordnaces of the tool).
Option 1) Serious Comic: Putting Multimodality to Work
Based on Lotherington & Jenson article and our in-class discussions (on technology, new media, and learning; media culture and society, etc.) , create a Graphic Text that explores & develops key ideas or themes from the reading (ludic epistemology, flat-to-4D literacies, the ‘3Rs’, participatory culture, identity texts, multimodality, critical literacies). Feel free to express these themes through your own narrative and/or experiences (and/or connect ideas to other texts if you wish).
Integrate at least one key quote from Lotherington/Jenson into the project to illuminate your story or argument. Whatever story angle you take (about technology, media or learning, etc), please avoid superficial discussions or generalities at this point of the course. Yet enjoy playing with the media tool, coming up with interesting and innovative ways to present knowledge and/or tell a story using the ideas from the text.
Option 2) L2/Culture Serious Comic
If your first (or family) language is not English, this is an opportunity for you to mobilize your L1 (language/cultural-capital) as a semiotic resource – in conjunction with images, graphics, pictures, etc., to create an L2 dual-language work that integrates L1 and L2 (English in translation); and that tells a story (your story?) about language, culture, diversity, place, and/or identity (as explored in this week’s article by Lotherington & Jenson).
You may explore your (or your community’s) own experiences, stories, past/present struggles or challenges, and histories navigating language, identity and culture within and beyond schools (or Canada).
If you teach a language (FSL/L2), consider modifying the assignment to fit your purposes that touch upon themes in the reading about cultural contexts and language, or that address contemporary themes in language learning (translanguaging, plurilingualism, etc). Bonus points if you can make connections to the reading….
If you choose option 2, ensure that the text is dual-language (both languages appear together, somewhat like a polyglot text, though in graphic novel form). See slide deck for examples.
Option 3: Mix Things Up (1 and 2) or if you have your own angle on this project, email me a very brief proposal so I can provide feedback, and/or ‘green light’.
PLEASE IGNORE ANY LINKS TO OTHER PRODUCTIONS BELOW