Virtual Reality Museum: Draw our Writing Process
Writing is more than just words on a page—it’s a dynamic process of discovery, iteration, and growth. Since 2010, the University Writing Program has invited faculty to engage in the Draw Your Writing Process activity during professional development events, uncovering new insights each year into how we approach writing. This metacognitive exercise encourages faculty to visualize their personal writing processes, considering the tools, collaborations, and iterative steps that shape their work. Using art supplies, participants create visual representations of their writing habits—whether linear, recursive, meandering, or metaphorical. These drawings spark meaningful conversations about writing, identity, and learning, revealing the ways in which writing practices influence thinking in WAC professional develop.
Download: Draw Your Writing Process Activity
To extend this exploration, Dr. Kerri Flinchbaugh has curated a Virtual Reality (VR) museum showcasing faculty-created writing process drawings. Draw Your Writing Process by ECU Faculty is an interactive digital archive that highlights the diversity of writing practices across disciplines. Featuring a range of artistic mediums, this exhibition offers unique perspectives on faculty writing habits, demonstrating the creative and varied ways scholars engage with the writing process. This playful, thought-provoking collection has sparked rich discussions about writing, creativity, and scholarly work.
As you explore the museum, take time to engage with both individual and groups of drawings. No VR headset? No problem. You can navigate the exhibit on your computer or tablet. Observe the artwork from a distance, then examine it up close. Consider how these visual representations compare to your own writing processes. Read the curated descriptions for deeper insights into each piece—they might inspire new reflections on your own approach to writing. This exhibit not only celebrates the individuality of writing processes but also invites you to reflect on your own methods and habits.
Download: Virtual Reality Experience and Post-Museum Reflection
Reflecting on writing processes helps us develop new strategies, build self-awareness, and deepen our engagement with writing in large part because we are reminded that there is no textbook or singular process that writers use. By recognizing the creativity and complexity of writing, we enhance student learning and reimagine our own relationships with the craft. The Virtual Reality Museum is an opportunity to explore, reflect, and share—not just to understand writing better, but to discover new ways of engaging with it.
