August+Deshais'+Responses


 * Pages 1-59 in //Because Digital Writing Matters// **

Following the selected reading from //Because Digital Writing Matters//, I thumbed through the text to find the ideas that struck me the most. As I did so I considered a real world expression of this style of writing here in our own backyard. In one of Marcy Burstiner’s recent Media Maven segments in the //Northcoast Journal// she laments the decrease in letters to the editor in the //Times-Standard//. She attributes this decrease to a corresponding increase in on-line comments. My initial reaction was agreement, but after reading and reflecting on //BDWM// I believe that Ms. Burstiner may need to honestly ask herself how she defines writing, and it’s role, in the digital era. I agree with you!

From the beginning of the book it became obvious that the term “digital writing” is still evolving. The role of technology in writing has changed continually over the last 3 decades. On page 6 the authors include quotes from several authors and how they define digital writing. The loose definitions ranged from anything written electronically to collaborative and participatory works. I think that this spectrum not only captures where most educators are when it comes to defining this style of writing as well as the varied nature of digital writing itself.

Another topic I found interesting was the breakdown of digital writing skills into three distinct areas- functional, critical and rhetorical (pages 13 and 14). Functional skills include mundane tasks such as saving files and knowing which programs to use for certain tasks. Critical skills include those that use writing and technology to describe and interact with the world outside the classroom walls. The rhetorical skills are those that encourage active engagement with both digital writing and the technologies that make that writing available. I found this categorizing useful as well. It helps me balance my thinking and my teaching strategies. Catherine

The final portion of the reading that I found interesting was related to the use of cloud computing in writing. The document I am writing at this moment is being composed (and auto saved) on Google Docs. Eliminating the cost of purchasing programs and the need to update software every few years is liberating! Files are available anywhere with an Internet connection (which is nearly everywhere!). Also, the possibility for real-time collaboration with multiple people all in different locations is something truly amazing. It's true. Software was so expensive, and now the platforms that are available make it far more accessible. Diane


 * Pages 61-114 in Because Digital Writing Matters **

While Chapter 3, Ecologies for Digital Writing, did not capture my attention so well, Chapter 4, Standards and Assessment for Digital Writing, did in a big way. The need for appropriate digital/technology standards grows with every passing year as students come to rely more and more upon technology. Knowing how to use programs and being comfortable on different platforms is important, but is a small part of what it means to learn and interact in the digital age. The wi-fi generation has the world available to them everywhere they go and at all times. Knowing how to act, interact and protect yourself on-line is now more vital than knowing the pros and cons of windows vs. mac. But how do we make sure students are building the skills necessary to succeed? In this chapter we see a number of approaches to this question.

The Digital Citizenship in Schools, a publication by the International Society for Technology in Education takes the approach of defining good digital citizenship. Communication, literacy and etiquette are all part of the STE’s definition of citizenship. Three “standards” I found the most interesting were Digital Rights and Responsibilities, Digital Health and Wellness, and Digital Security. These guidelines have little to do with nuts and bolts and everything to do with teaching children to navigate the potential perils of the Internet. Growing up surrounded by technology, many children do not have difficulty learning to use new devices and applications. However, learning the ins and outs of on-line safety and how to avoid cyber-bullying are something many teachers and parents do not address.

Web Resources

[|__Center for Digital Storytelling__]

I was drawn to this site since I find digital storytelling to be a fun way to share literacy. I went to this site hoping to find tips on how to bring more digital storytelling into my classroom. Unfortunately I found a business site that charges $900 for a week-long class. There were some resources available, but they were scant.

[|__Pew Internet & American Life Project__]

The Pew Center is always releasing survey findings that describe various aspects of our lives. It was my familiarity with this that led me to their site. On it I found all kinds of interesting data such as 83% of Americans have cell phones, 51% of adults use their phones at least monthly to look up information and 13% of adults pretend to be on their phone to avoid interacting with others.