From Analysis to Creation: The Power of Mythmaking

From Studying Myths to Creating One

After studying myths, I have discovered that creating my own myth is a very different process and experience. When studying myths, the analyzer typically focuses on key themes, symbols, archetypes, and cultural meanings that are embedded within the story and its characters. In addition to studying the myth itself, we also focus on how the myth has been shaped and interpreted over time, influencing other stories and creations as time progresses. However, when I began the process of creating my own myth, I also began to become aware of the creative and cultural process that goes into creating these types of stories. Not only did I focus on the message I wanted to convey to my audience, but I also had to figure out how to use different characters and settings to portray the elements of my story best to make it meaningful to myself and the reader. 

Understanding the Human Purpose of Myth

Through creating my own myth, I realized that myths are more than just old stories, they are ways people explain the world and express values. Writing my own myth made me appreciate how myths arise from real human needs, and are a way to depict values and traditions to the reader. Additionally, writing my own myth made me become aware of how storytelling shapes identity, and how it arises from human needs, such as the need to explain the unknown as well as teach lessons. As I was inventing a myth from something familiar to me, eating conchas and coffee every day with my Mexican family, I understood how older myths were made from people trying to make sense of their environment and what was familiar to them. 

Lessons for Teaching and Life

In terms of teaching and life, creating my own myth helped me understand the power embedded in creativity that came from crafting my own story. Personally, I also learned that storytelling, such as creating my own myth, was a powerful tool and process to establish my ideas and emotions, which allowed me to convey my personal ideals and beliefs into my story. In a classroom, asking students to create a myth rather than simply analyzing one can help them internalize these concepts at a deeper level. In the future, whether it be through teaching or creation, I would like to use mythic thinking, seeing meaning and connection in stories, to inspire creativity and imagination. 

Check out my Myth! ----> Why do Mexicans Love Eating Conchas With Coffee?

Writing Poetry vs. Writing About Poetry

Creative Vs. Analytical

Although writing poetry and writing about poetry are both similarly connected, both actions make me think in different ways. When I begin to write poetry, I associate it with creativity and the ability to express myself. While writing poetry, I use it as an outlet to unleash my true emotions and sentiments regarding whatever I am writing about. However, when I am writing about poetry, it feels more analytical. Instead of thinking creatively, I focus on the reasoning behind why it was written and examining things such as word choice and structure. 

The Writer and The Critic

Although the process of writing poetry and writing about poetry are different, I found that both actions helped me strengthen my writing and analysis. For example, as I was writing about poetry, the analysis I was conducting helped me pay more attention while I was crafting my own poems. Analyzing poems helped give me insight into the different struggles and choices poets make while crafting their own poems. Since I was writing poems and writing about poems, this made me more thoughtful as a writer and a critic, since it made me conduct my analysis in an empathetic manner, and also use these skills in my writing. 

Lessons for the Classroom

From crafting my own poems and analyzing other poets’ work, similarly, I learned that creativity and analysis should not be separated in teaching. For example, I believe that when prompting students to craft their own poems, it would be best to have them analyze other poets’ works as well, so they can experience how the two processes enrich one another. 

Media Technology and the Future of Education

Welcome

Hi! Thank you for taking the time to view "Perla's Perceptions" on media technology and its potential role in the future of education. As a future educator and current college student, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of media technology on my educational experience so far. However, it is also important to acknowledge that there are many negative sides to media technology in education, especially considering issues like the rise of artificial intelligence and plagiarism, which have become ongoing challenges for educators everywhere.

In this blog post, I will share the different ways I believe technology can either promote learning or, in some cases, prevent students from reaching their full potential.

What Role Should Media Technology Play in Education?

In my opinion, technology can be a powerful tool that allows educators to connect with students in fun and encouraging ways. When used effectively, it promotes creativity, engagement, and collaboration in the classroom.

For example, technology can be used interactively during lessons so students can visually engage with what they’re learning. As seen in the picture below, students might be asked to watch a video to help deepen their understanding of a topic. In cases like this, technology helps students stay focused and interested in the material.

The Negatives of Media Technology in the Classroom

Although media technology brings many benefits, there are also clear downsides. For instance, some classrooms become over-reliant on technology, where teachers depend solely on digital tools instead of diverse teaching methods. This can lead to a lack of creativity and a deeper understanding among students.

Also, when technology is heavily used, students gain easier access to shortcuts like AI tools or simply copying and pasting content, leading to increased cases of plagiarism.

Overall Consensus

When used in moderation, media technology can be an excellent way for educators to deliver content and encourage interactive, creative learning. However, if overused or misused, it can condition students to rely only on tech-based learning.

With the rise of AI, it’s also vital that educators address academic honesty by teaching students the importance of doing their own work and understanding the material, and not just relying on shortcuts.