Assignment # 1 – Life Map Narrative Writing
On this page:
- Assignment Purpose
- Connection to Learning Outcomes
- Assignment Description
- Assignment Guidelines
- Assignment Templates for Teaching
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to communicate your story so far. Through the description of significant events of your life and your educational journey so far, this assignment provides you with an opportunity to communicate your experiences with your instructor and your peers. It also allows you an opportunity to reflect on key moments throughout your life and consider how those moments have shaped who you are and how you would like to continue to grow.
Connection to Learning Outcome(s)
This assignment contributes to the following course learning outcomes:
- Communicate clearly, precisely, and persuasively at an academic level (WRITE)
- Participate in discussion of real-life issues as informed, critical members of the group (INQUIRY)
- Identify and apply appropriate note-taking, study skills, and time management strategies to their academic studies, as well as understanding the variety of resources on campus that can support their learning (AWARENESS)
- Illustrate effective use of online learning tools (DIGITAL AWARENESS)
Assignment Description
“Autobiographical writing is a type of narrative which focuses on making meaning of an individual’s experiences.”
(Godfrey, 2003)
Create a Life Map Timeline representing significant life events and highlighting your own educational journey. Be prepared to share your narrative with a peer.
Using the technology tool listed below (or selected from the timeline section of the Digital Tools for Learners
chapter), you are asked to chart major milestones that have occurred in your life thus far, highlighting your educational journey, starting at birth and continuing through today. Record obstacles or roadblocks you have encountered as well. These are the events that have led to your development and growth to where you are today. Everyone has a story to tell. This is the story of your life; the things that make you who you are. You will think about memories and events that are important to you or events that changed your life in some way.
You should have approximately 10 significant events (7 past and 3 future). Some examples may be: your birth, starting school, moving or losing a friend, family events such as marriages, divorces, and teachers/coaches who inspired/challenged you. You will need to represent approximately 3 events that you hope or wish will happen in the future. These can be goals, dreams and plans for your future.
Record your age at each event you represent on your map. Each event or future goal can be represented with an image, symbol or photo as well as a narrative text describing the event and the significant impact it has had on your life.
Success Criteria: Approximately 10 significant events, thoughtfully represented on your map, including some highlighted events connecting to your educational journey. The final product is thorough, organized, insightful, and creative.
Please review your Course Syllabus for the due date.
Assignment Guidelines
Choose one of the following modalities to represent your Life Map Narrative Timeline:
Traditional Narrative Essay (guidelines)
- 2-3 pages double spaced Calibri 11 or Times New Roman 12 pt. font
- Proofread! Should be free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Have someone proofread it for you:
- Friend or family member
- Lakehead University Writing Centre: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/current-students/student-success-centre/academic-support-zone/thunder-bay/writing-support
- Cite your sources if you use them. Style manual APA 7th Edition is traditionally used in Education. However, it is fine to use a different citation style, just be consistent. Recommended citation resource: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
Digital Platform Creation – Sutori (guidelines)
Please note, these are the guidelines for creating your timeline in Sutori, you are free to use another digital timeline tool if you like as long as you ensure that the guideline criteria are still being adhered to.
- “Sutori is an educational presentation tool in a timeline format. Sutori follows the 4Cs framework, promoting collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.”
- Follow the link to the Sutori website and set up a free account: https://www.sutori.com/
- Take the short student tutorial to learn how to use this digital presentation tool:
https://www.sutori.com/story/student-tutorial–fDrqDhaMXxGZYn1EAoCux3m6 - Create a story using the multiple features in Sutori: banner, headers, text, links, video, and images. Create, have fun and enjoy!
- Length: Your story should include approximately 10 segments, using a variety of tools with substantial texts and images to represent your narrative (equivalent to 2-3 page essay).
- Cite your sources and include them at the end of your story. Style manual APA 7th Edition is traditionally used in Education. However, it is fine to use a different citation style, just be consistent. Recommended citation resource: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
Sample Sutori Creation: While the example on the Sutori website is not a narrative timeline, it is a visual sample of how the timeline can be laid out with text, images, and videos for reference while you create your own timeline.
If you are considering other timeline tools, you may wish to refer to the Digital Tools for Learners site or explore your own.
Assignment Templates for Teaching
If you would like to revise these documents for your own teaching and learning settings, we have provided a number of templates (listed below) that you may access, download, and adapt for your own contexts for this assignment:
Reference:
Godfrey, T. (2003). Writing in the critical spaces: Autobiographical narrative and reflective practice. University of Lethbridge, Alberta.
