Reflection 725

Aug 1, 2012 Digital Writing Elaine Ashley Inman Intermediate, Nixa, MO 65714 Digital writing is taking writing to a new level that allows an author of any age to become public with their work in multiple Medias. Not only does it have to do with publishing for a bigger audience, digital writing pushes the author to new levels of synthesis. It takes writing to a higher level of thinking and uses parts of the brain that would otherwise not be tapped; thus, all the more reason to integrate digital writing into the classroom. Digital writing compliments and enhances the original writer’s workshop Troy Hicks, author of The Digital Writing Workshop, explains in Chapter 2, that it has become a necessity in education today to meet new technological standards. It is no longer a choice whether or not a teacher incorporates technology in the classroom. My original thinking was that it would change me as a teacher using technology to present my lessons. That isn’t enough to satisfy the hunger of today’s student. They are hands on and miles ahead of anything I can dream of. Using Digital Writers Workshop gives students the tools they need to excel and create beyond what was thought possible in previous years. Troy does a tremendous job walking the reader through a variety of today’s available tools in technology that makes sense. The chapters are organized in a format the makes the information applicable to any classroom which is important to me personally. As an educator I need tools that fit into the standards already in place and are at my fingertips for practical everyday use. I already have two class Blogs, but hope to use them much more efficiently. I took my students to the computer lab and we were exploring, writing and commenting on each other’s comments. It is a start but not to the levels that are available to us today. In order to get the full effect I need from Troy’s book, I will need to spend time reading and rereading. My plan is to use it like a favorite cookbook with it open on my desk for constant reference. In my 725 OWP Digital Writing Class, we were pushed at a fast pace to explore new software and ideas. In a short period of time, one week to be exact, plus work online, I have seen and experimented with more different tools than I had ever previously tried. Wow! During the experience it was a bit scary, but, effective in the end, bringing new life to my teaching style. My students as well as anyone I come into contact with will be the benefactors. Previously I had used Skype and Face time with my family, but Google handout is much more effective in my opinion. That is just one small example of the new pieces of technology that is available to me for professional or personal use.