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: