So I have been racking my brain trying to find a digital media project worthy of my effort. In my undergraduate experience I was disenchanted with the fairy tale of grading. As a teacher I believe the only projects worth doing are those that interest you and challenge you to find new meaning and understandings. I would like to put my hard work into a project I care about. I would like it to be useful to myself and to others not just restating something someone else has already said.
I ask myself… What do I uniquely know or care about that would make good impetus for a digital media project??? After considering a handful of options and thinking about how I would execute them I detest them all. They just don’t sound interesting. I can’t make my brain want to work on something I have no interest in.
Then I get hungry. I’m tring to decide where to go for the best chicken pad thai when it hits me! Something I know and love is the art of food, its preparation, nutrition and the general joy of eating. But, how does this relate to art?? I do consider it an art to create a seasonal, healthy meal that makes you glad to be alive. I also love to eat at little hole in the wall ethnic restaurants. Seeking them out and sampling their specialties is something that I enjoy very much. The question is how can this become a tool? Well I am often surprised by the limited amount of information I find on these places online. Few if any of my favorites are reviewed adequately. I don’t think you should have to spend more than 10 dollars on a fantastic meal. I think you just have to know where to go and what to get. Am I on to something??
I would like to create a website that has a balance of recipes using good nutrition sense, color and texture to create beautiful balanced meals. I would also to have tips on where to find specialty food ingredients on the cheap. I am disgusted by paying over 20 dollars for local Rockfish aka Striped Bass from Whole Foods when I know a little asian market where they are half the price and even fresher and tastier.
I also would like to have a section for kids with some easy healthy recipies that kids can make. I think learning about food and cooking when you are young is something that adds so much to a persons enjoyment of living for the rest of life. I also think kids who start thinking about food and exploring new foods when they are young think about eating differently for the rest of their lives.
I have looked at healthy eating and wellness sites for kids. Less than amusing. They seemed limited in recipes and talk down to kids rather than inspire them to try new things. While I am not sure what skills I would need to do better with this on my own site, I think it would be worth pursuing.
So my proposal is to create a website with content about the ART OF FOOD! Somebody say YES! Does this sound like a viable idea? It is something I care about and be useful and that would teach something I am passionate about…
THE JOY OF EATING!
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 3, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Christina Perry
Hey, is that last picture of the gelato place in City Center of Newport News ?
November 4, 2008 at 12:59 am
cmadison04
Moana –
That’s a pretty cool idea for a website – I like the idea especially of making it an educational resource for children on healthy and exciting eating that simultaneously emphasizes the aesthetic of food. I’m sure you are already planning on making your site interactive, but have you thought about creating a rubric with which children (or anyone who follows your recommendations) can actually rate the food themselves? I think it’d be pretty neat to give that as an opportunity, and it would be a great practice for your students in critique. Maybe you can have a component for each recipe or restaurant that you visit in the assessment that evaluates both visual appeal and palate-appeal. Again – probably something you’ve already considered, but I’m always looking for ways to get my students to self-reflect, evaluate and assess. Word.
November 9, 2008 at 10:05 pm
elanamcdermott
This sounds like a great idea. You can tell from even just this blog post that food is something you are passionate about. And you are right, any project worth doing (and reading) is one that has passion. One that the author/creator really cares about. I can’t wait to see your recipes and suggestions for local markets!
November 10, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Peter
Hmmm, who would have thought that Chicken Pad Thai could evoke such inspiration!
I like it… I have a question though. Tell me, are you going to be teaching about the beauty of good food, of food selection, of thrifty food selection, or of thrifty beautiful food in relation to food selection? I love your passion for where your going, not to mention for Pad Thai in general!
(The pic of you eating is pretty cute too.) Tell me though, if you can in a concise sentence, where are you taking the students who will be getting your message? What is your ultimate goal?
Well, there is my food for thought for you. That being said, if you ever need some good, objective feedback as you sample delicious things along the way, I’d be glad to help with the research!
Keep at it; inquiring minds and grumbling stomachs want to know what’s next!
-Peter
November 17, 2008 at 4:35 pm
cmadison04
You know, on further reflection, and in response to Elana’s comment, really is it worth doing unless you feel passionate about it? Wouldn’t it be the same with teaching? Why teach unless you truly feel passionate about it – whatever aspect gets you fired up whether it is content or students, etc. You are absolutely right. Why teach if you don’t really care? I can think of easier jobs that give you a paycheck rather than teaching – why do it if you don’t care?
I am excited to see your passion come to fruition on your website.