Free Library

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Dear Free Library, I am a former English and Computer Science teacher, currently finishing a PhD in Education. I am writing to ask about the possibility of partnering with the Free Library to offer free workshops on interactive storytelling, a combination of creative writing and programming, perhaps as a weekly after-school writing club for middle and/or high-school youth that would also mix in programming. The focus would be on writing and discussing stories that evoke our lived experiences and our communities. Because they are interactive, these stories could work like games or choose-your-own-adventure stories. My research is focused on critical computational literacies. I have developed a free, open-source web app for interactive storytelling called Unfold Studio (https://unfold.studio). I am currently researching how rhetoric works in interactive stories, how they can function as models or simulations of social realities (and thereby help us understand the dynamics of positionality, race, etc.), and how they represent a more inclusive vision for K-12 computer science. If hosting a weekly or bi-weekly interactive storytelling club at one the Free Library’s branches might be feasible, I would love to discuss it further in person or over the phone. The only materials we would need would be a room and access to computers. My work on this project would be funded by a research grant, and I’d love to provide healthy snacks at the meetings if that would be appropriate. I live in West Philly, so I’d prefer to host it at your Kingsessing or West Philadelphia branches, though I’d be happy to host it at the main branch if that were logistically easier or were more likely to draw a regular group of interested participants. I am a National Board certified teacher, and would be happy to go through any required background checks. The research side of this would be covered by my institution’s IRB. I also have informal relationships with several faculty at the Penn GSE in case that were helpful. Thanks for your time, Chris Proctor chrisproctor.net cproctor@stanford.edu 323.230.0313