A Boy and His Orange

For the Digital and Social Media Adaptation assignment, we read Larry Woiwode’s Ode to an Orange, watched Todd Smith’s adaptation of the original story, and then created our own version of the story into a digital and social medium. If I were to apply this assignment to my future English classes, I would start by focusing on a piece of literature that the class has been studying. I would divide students into small groups, or even have them work individually, and each group or individual would be in charge of a chapter from the book. Each group would then take their assigned chapter and make their own condensed digital adaptation. Once finished, students would post their complete adaptation on the class blog. That way the entire class would be able to access other students’ projects. Students would also be required to comment on a certain amount of projects posted on the blog, giving their fellow classmates feedback. Students would be graded on their ability to highlight the main themes and main events in each chapter in a condensed and digital form. This assignment would be beneficial for students because it provides a way for students to better remember important themes and events, as well as converse with their classmates through a digital dialogue. This assignment would also allow for students to engage in learning through various uses of technology, as they explore the ways they can create adaptations through different digital forms. These digital forms include videos, pictures, podcasts, slideshows etc.