Reading and responding to others’ blogs has definitely been helpful for broadening my ideas of what this project could be. From ambitious interactive narratives and visual novels to in-depth research papers and timely data visualizations, bouncing ideas back and forth with creatives who have such varied skills and interests has been really exciting. It’s challenged my assumptions about what academic work can and should look like, which is going to be a benefit to my own project, I’m sure.

It has also been reassuring to see everyone else’s processes of wayfinding. Because I’m having to put my project ideas into writing each week, I feel a lot of pressure to formalize those ideas or rush into seeming more certain than I am about the direction my project is headed. But reflecting alongside a group and seeing that we’re all uncertain, and still exploring, and finding just as much of use through being open-minded as through trying to control every aspect of our planning is really encouraging to me.

That said, I’m not entirely convinced of the value of comments and group supervision meetings for developing our ideas in a way that rewards the time we put into it. These reflections are all still so half-formed that I find myself hesitant to make suggestions on anyone else’s; I don’t want to impede anyone’s process or make assumptions about their work. In a one-on-one, in-person conversation, it’s much easier too ask small follow-up questions until I know my understanding of their ideas aligns with their intentions, and then it becomes easier to provide feedback or make suggestions without imposing. But unfortunately those in-person conversations aren’t available to everyone, and one-on-one interactions are hard to make space for in a formal capacity. My project has benefitted a lot from small chance discussions with my peers. It feels like the commenting ought to emulate that, but it doesn’t quite work the same way.

Week 10 – Blogs and Comments / Knowledge Integration & Project Planning by is licensed under a