Hello reader, I am Hailey Pack. Currently I am a senior at CSUN getting my BA in English Literature and my Teaching Credential. As I enter this last year of my college education I am able to stand firm on a few things. If you can not find me in a classroom I am at the beach, I have explored an equal amount of places on earth as in books, and a small act of kindness paired with an inner confidence can not only change someone's life but it is a contagious energy. Some other things to note about me is I love music, art, movies, and sports. In my humble opinion they are all aspects to the backbone of our society. They create community and guide us to people and opportunities that shape us as people.
Having been in a classroom for quite some time now I have come to the ever changing thought that media technology can enhance teaching but must be used with caution. The rather traditional literature that is taught in an English class has become a lost art, and as much as I believe that we should move with time, I think we should also reflect on where we started. I am a firm believer of teaching beyond the textbook, teaching about life through the required material and having a safe space for your students. That being said, many of our students feel safe with the media because it is familiar.
As a student I have found that using the creative aspect of media in the classroom can work wonders for the engagement and understanding in the classroom. For example, having students create an instagram account for a character of the novel they are reading can help connect the world of literature to the lives our students live in today. This assignment allows them to reflect and think like the character furthering the connection and understanding of the literature.
