Responce+1


 * 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