My personal experience…
I remember in high school when my teachers would assign a research paper and I would think to myself, “Really? Another one?”. I felt that I wasn’t able to express my full thoughts through a research paper or even just a regular paper. However, when my teachers would assign presentations, group projects, or anything other than a paper I was more excited to complete my work. With assignments with digital writing I was able to communicate with my peers and get feedback on my work. Also I felt that I was able to express myself with digital writing because there are so many different ways you can digital write. For example, when I make PowerPoints, I am able to design the outlook and the vibe I want to give off to my audience.
How to incorporate it within a classroom…
I would have my students work on digital writing by doing what they are most comfortable working with. There are many different kinds of digital writing, as Hicks explains, and I believe they can all be incorporated within a classroom. Students would be able to choose options like: PowerPoint, making a video, podcast, website, text with images, or memes. With the option of students choosing their digital text they will be able to express their thoughts freely and comfortably. Digital writing is growing in today’s society with blogs, social media, all different kinds of websites. Students use this with their everyday life and what is a better way than letting students incorporate their technology skills with their writing. Hicks says we are the roles of the teacher, writer, and reader using the technology with the kids in the 21st century. Teachers can incorporate digital writing in various ways and students can find the one they are most comfortable with instead of writing the classic essay format.
Voice Over of the previous paragraph:
Digital text through a meme:
Student Diary:
I’m so tired of having to write essays that are in five paragraph essay format. It gets so boring when I’m in English class. I wish my English teacher would let us use technology to make our projects. A presentation with powerpoint would be so much fun because students could get in groups and put all our ideas together. I also would love to make memes and use pictures because I love visual things. I wish my English teacher would let us do these things.
Digital text through a flyer:
I really enjoyed your visual aids and your connections with Hicks in the text! I also couldn’t get your audio recording to load.
I love the use of the student diary and the flyer that you have created! The flyer was different than what I have seen in the other blogs and was very creative. You have really good ideas about using all different types of digital writing in the classroom.
I love the student diary you did because it really strengthens your blog. To make your blog even stronger, it would be interesting to hear about your experiences in the past with research papers versus unique projects!
I really like your visual ad that you include at the bottom. It has a good amount of information and a good image to go along with what you are talking about. I couldn’t get your audio recording to load so maybe check over that!