I've had such a hard time getting started on this project, mostly because I just can't decide what to focus on. The idea phase of a free-range project always stumps me. It's hard keeping an open mind and wondering a bit when I'm feeling like I NEED to choose a topic because I NEED to get started. So. Wondering a bit...
I could do astronomy. It's always a topic that fascinates me, and I'd love to get my telescope out and working again - especially with the amazing view of Jupiter we should have next month. I even have a thorough list of resources that I developed last semester as part of my reference class. It's definitely a topic I could lose myself in for quite a while.
Another thought is gardening, particularly patio gardening. I'm in an apartment, so I don't have much space for greenery. However I've got my two potted rosebushes that seem to be needing a bit more help, especially with the colder weather coming. I wonder what I need to do for them...but I also am not sure how invested I can be in such a project.
Mythology might be a direction, as well. I enjoy reading and hearing mythology and stories built around mythical ideas and beings. I've recently started reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Like many of his novels, it delves deeply into mythology, and this time, I'm finding myself not recognizing many of the references (I'm not even quite sure which culture he's pulling from this time). I found myself in a similar situation with Odd and the Frost Giants (also Gaiman) last spring, although I did have a minute bit of familiarity with Norse myth. It's certainly worth consideration.
Finally, the storms hitting the east coast have me wondering about how the Outer Banks have been doing. My family spent so many summers down there when I was younger, that I feel attached to the strip of islands. I also know they have a very rich history...one I know very little about and might be interested to find out more.
In the end, I feel I'm still no closer to getting started, but at least I have a few ideas written down. Maybe I'll take a small venture into each of these and see what sparks my attention. Perhaps it will be something completely different.
Great discussion of "NEED" related to topic exploration. Your diverse topics all sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteAs you get further into your postings be sure to be thinking about how to weave the course readings into your blog. For instance, do all the inquiry and information search models begin with this type of brainstorming? Or, do some begin with a prescribed problem to solve?