I chose this quote because I believe it addresses an important issue in schools today; writing pencil and paper essays and biographies has become outdated. It doesn't surprise me that students are uninterested in writing and find it boring. When my class was getting ready for WV Writes they were so unhappy about doing it. They didn't like it because they had to write on a topic chosen by someone else; if it was something they were not interested in it didn't matter, they had to write about it anyway. The only part they liked was when they got to type it into the computer. That is why I really like Walsh's approach to writing. By allowing the students to create multimodal writing projects it gives them the opportunity to be more creative. They are also able to use multiple learning styles by incorporating writing, images, music, and video. This approach does empower them as authors; they have more freedom to create what they want to create, how they want to create it. They aren't confined to limits like with pencil and paper writing.
I chose the image below because it goes along with my quote. A book report is another example of an outdated assignment. They are better, more engaging learning activities that our students can do. Students could review a book they are reading in a blog where their peers can also read and comment on the thoughts presented. Or, they could discuss the book in a literature circle group.
1. Why is it important for teachers to use digital media to support writing instruction in school?
Children today are born into a culture of technology. They are exposed to it from birth. They have handheld gaming devices, iPods, and can work their parents cell phones. I know kids who can navigate an iPad better than I can. Being so immersed in this culture, it is only natural that we should incorporate that into school. Of course they find pencil and paper writing boring; they are used to interactive technology. As the article states, kids are good with online writing. It is important to validate that writing as good writing.
2. What are the differences between online writing and writing in school?
Online writing is interactive and engaging. Students find this type of writing fun. Writing in school is solitary and boring. Online writing can be collaborative; students who blog can read and comment on their peers' work. This makes writing more social and interesting for students. If their peers are reading what they are writing they will care more about what they are presenting. Students often care more about what their peers think than what a teacher thinks. Online writing also offers more opportunity to be creative. Students can add music, picture, and video to support their writing.
3. How should teachers use digital spaces to support writing instruction in school?
I really like the idea of a class blog. There are so many possibilities. I think blogging would give students a sense of pride and that what they are writing is important. They are writing for an authentic audience, instead of just a pencil and paper writing assignment only to be seen by the teacher. Students have the chance to share their thoughts on a topic, and then give and receive peer feedback. I like the collaboration aspect of a class blog. Again, I think students will care about what they are writing if their peers are reading it.
4. What are some of the challenges of using digital spaces for writing instruction in school?
I think the biggest challenge would be time and technology access. Doing these kinds of online writing assignments will take a lot of time, and you have to take into consideration your access to technology. For example, at the school I was at, my class only had access to laptops one day a week. You could reserve the computer lab, but with only one lab, that was difficult. With these assignments you would probably need multiple days with the computers, so you would have to really plan in advance. Another challenge is to develop meaningful tasks; you don't want them to be writing online just for the sake of doing it. The lessons should be authentic, engaging, and meaningful.
5. Example of using digital spaces in the classroom:
I chose the lesson plan The Bird Can Blog: Online Blogging with a Twist because I think it is a great way to introduce blogging to younger students. In the lesson, students take on the role of a real or imagined classroom pet and create a blog journaling what the pet sees happening in the classroom throughout the day.
Sources
Adlington, R., & Hansford, D. (2008, July 6). Digital spaces and young people’s online authoring: Challenges for teachers. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from National Conference for Teachers of English and Literacy: http://www.englishliteracyconference.com.au/files/documents/AdlingtonHansford-Digital%20spaces.pdf
Jackson, Lorrie. Education World. The Bird Can Blog: Online Blogging with a Twist. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techlp/techlp055.shtml
I like your answer to the question about the differences between online writing and school writing. Engaging and Interactive. So true. I know I like those two things, especially when I'm interacting with my peers, so it only makes sense that this is what are students would want to.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with your point about book reports, they are so outdated. When I see students at my school with shoe boxes for their book reports, I wish they would update the assignment. Using digital software, students could be presenting about books in a much more interesting way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement, "Being so immersed in this culture, it is only natural that we should incorporate that into school." We can't ignore that the most students of today have access to cell phones, the internet, tablets, computers, blogs, etc.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, we see our 10 year old write (pen and paper) stories all the time. When she wasn't interested in the writing test at school we were so confused. She's pretty good at it (yes, biased opinion). Then, we determined the old school way (which she still does at home) and especially the pre-chosen topic was like nails on a chalkboard to her. Funny, I didn't even think about that personal experience as I read and wrote my own assignment. It's true, even kids who enjoy an activity can be turned off by certain aspects of it.
ReplyDeleteGreat cartoon! Sums up the problem with writing instruction in school!
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating that limited access to technology is still a barrier for teachers trying to implement best practices in writing instruction. I think the state spend millions on SmartBoards. I think a better purchase would have been on class sets of iPads with keyboards. We need to get the tools in the hands of the children and off the classroom walls!
A class set of iPads with keyboards would be so much more beneficial to students. I never used my SmartBoard because only one student could come up at a time to use it, while the other twenty students would sit bored.
DeleteNot only would you need a classroom set of Ipads, but you would need the technology like Interclass which is a software that watches and tracks all programs and websites accessed by each laptop/computer/ or Ipad.
DeleteI love your picture about how books are as outdated as counting on your fingers. If one is still doing that to add, subtract, or multiply then they haven't fully learned all the resources available to learn the math concepts. There are memorization tactics or manipulatives that help someone transition from counting fingers to quickly doing arithmetic in one's head.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the lesson plan you posted on introducing blogs. I think this would definitely be helpful when it comes time. It's a great idea to change the point of view of the person posting to the blog in order to secure their identity!
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