For this task I produced a short scene between two detectives working on a homicide case. The detectives have just arrived on the scene of the crime and are discussing the objects found on the victim, who is me. This was a multimodal project that included writing a script, recording the dialogue, and then producing the final sound file by editing the recording and adding sound effects. What I really enjoyed about redesigning this task was removing myself as the “main character” of the task and thinking of ways the dialogue could be leveraged to tell a story about me.

Redesigning Task 1 was not easy. I had to think about it for several days and eventually I did a search online to see what former ETEC 540 students did for this assignment. I was looking for inspiration but the problem with looking at other people’s work is that I had to be careful not to copy what was already done. I had to think of something original. I already produced a video for Task 1, so I had to consider how to make a fully auditory experience without just talking about my possessions again.

In the beginning of this course, I learned that text is not just written language. Text can also be aural and can include performances such as poetry, monologues, dance, and music. This learning really changed my understanding of the word text and inspired me to develop a creative aural text. In my design, I also considered questions such as what if someone just found my belongings? What would they be able to infer about me through these texts? How can I approach this task in a metacognitive way? How can I share information about myself and some of my opinions about text without directly speaking to the reader?

I decided to create a scene from a made-up crime show. I introduced the scene by using sound effects of police sirens followed by footsteps walking down a hall. I used these sound effects to set up the scene for the listener without verbally telling the listener what was happening. The dialogue between the detectives was short but I was still able to reveal some of the of the same information provided in my initial video such as my interests and hobbies, my feminist side, and my view on text as authority. I added a new piece of information about my life experience when the detective struggled to pronounce my last name. I also included an “Easter egg” in the scene is when one of the detectives says, “get physical”. I was named after Olivia Newton John who sang the hit single “Physical”.