Why Should Teachers Explore Digital Writing?
Why should teachers explore writing in a digital platform? Isn't it just easier using pencil and paper? Sometimes it might seem easier to go this route, but do our students really feel connected? Is there a real sense of audience or knowing that someone beyond the teacher will be reading the piece? Writing in a digital platform is more than just writing, it's about connecting and sharing with a real, and sometimes global, audience. With digital platforms, students have the possibility of sharing their stories in ways that include videos, podcasts, hyperlinks, and images. What is shared, transcends beyond words, but an environment where the multimedia becomes the norm. In addition to this reality, is the option to comment and connect to what has been shared or even remix. In this way, the audience has a closer connection to the author, sometimes shaping the conversation further.
Teaching writing in the digital platform is more than just blogging. "Digital writing is not teaching writing with technology, but rather teaching writing in spaces that allow students to write with technologies." (Walters, 2013) Going even further with this concept, the writer must become aware of the best form to share their message and the potential audience they hope to reach. With this comes a whole other layer of understanding. It also means learning how to navigate the variety of platforms or digital tools for sharing one's message.
There are a plethora of platforms for on-line writing. For an extensive review of all the platforms available, be sure to check out Common Sense Media - Graphite site, Great Tech for On-line Writing and Blogging. This site is explores the ages the platforms are best suited for as well as the cost. It is definitely worth checking out! In addition to this, there are also an extensive selection of lessons, in Lesson Flows, which are lessons created by educators that explore different ways apps or on-line tools have been incorporated into writing.
Teaching writing in the digital platform is more than just blogging. "Digital writing is not teaching writing with technology, but rather teaching writing in spaces that allow students to write with technologies." (Walters, 2013) Going even further with this concept, the writer must become aware of the best form to share their message and the potential audience they hope to reach. With this comes a whole other layer of understanding. It also means learning how to navigate the variety of platforms or digital tools for sharing one's message.
There are a plethora of platforms for on-line writing. For an extensive review of all the platforms available, be sure to check out Common Sense Media - Graphite site, Great Tech for On-line Writing and Blogging. This site is explores the ages the platforms are best suited for as well as the cost. It is definitely worth checking out! In addition to this, there are also an extensive selection of lessons, in Lesson Flows, which are lessons created by educators that explore different ways apps or on-line tools have been incorporated into writing.
How Digital Tools Can Extend the Writing Process |
Digital Books - Publishing and Sharing with an "Real" Audience |
The following presentation was shared with teachers in how digital tools can help to extend writing and create a community of engaged writers. There are many links in the presentation to further extend digital integration as part of the writing process.
|
Digital Stories help to further deepen student connections between what they are learning and their understandings. That being said, they also provide valuable opportunities to take writing to another level. Check out the work of grade 6 students from Jillian Laursen's class and the story the Vaughan Sisters.
|
Resources to Extend Writing using Digital Tools
The following resources are links to digital tools to take your students writing further. Shelly Terrell has many fantastic resources which she has curated using Pearltrees. To choose a platform, ensure that it fits your school's devices. Prior to using any tool in a lesson, it's always important to ensure that it works well with your school's devices and with the age level of your students.
Digital Notetaking and Curating
The following are more resources that explore the power of digital tools for taking notes and making sense of on-line information. Shelly Terrell explores tools for curating and different platforms for making notes and thereby expanding students' ability to synthesize information. Silvia Tolisano explore the power of Sketchnoting as well as how teachers can explore the digital platform for globally connected learning.
The following are resources for Sketchnoting, many are from Silvia Langwitches blog post, Sketchnoting for Learning
Mix FiftyThree
Sunni Brown TED Talk: Doodlers Unite
Sunni Brown on Twitter
Langwitches’ Sketchnoting Pinterest Board
Langwitches’ Diigo Social Bookmarks about Sketchnoting
A Sketchnote Primer by Brad Ovenell-Carter
Doodling the C's - Great resource that explores the power of sketchnoting for unleashing creativity, comprehension, Commuication and Connections
Sketchnotes and Visual Thinking: A different way of note taking - A blog post from Innovation Design in Education that explores the power of sketchnolting for all learners.
The following are resources for Sketchnoting, many are from Silvia Langwitches blog post, Sketchnoting for Learning
Mix FiftyThree
Sunni Brown TED Talk: Doodlers Unite
Sunni Brown on Twitter
Langwitches’ Sketchnoting Pinterest Board
Langwitches’ Diigo Social Bookmarks about Sketchnoting
A Sketchnote Primer by Brad Ovenell-Carter
Doodling the C's - Great resource that explores the power of sketchnoting for unleashing creativity, comprehension, Commuication and Connections
Sketchnotes and Visual Thinking: A different way of note taking - A blog post from Innovation Design in Education that explores the power of sketchnolting for all learners.