Using Technology when Writing in the Classroom

Using technology when teaching writing skills in the classroom is highly beneficial to both the teacher and students! The process of writing can be enhanced when using word processor, blogging, or e-mail in the classroom.

Teachers can using Blogging in multiple ways in the classroom. When students blog, they are talking to multiple readers, the reader may be a parent, peer, or teacher. So many times, the teacher is the only person that ever gets to read through the student's work. If the blog is posted for anyone to see, they must type as though they are talking to multiple groups of people. They must make sure their voice in their writing is appropriate for the topic and reader.

HOT blogging encourages students to use their communication skills and think critically about various posts. Students are able to post comments, ask questions, and be exposed to multiple views of the same subject. All of the components of HOT blogging increase student higher order thinking skills.

Besides using HOT Blogging in the classroom, teachers can using blogging in other ways. Teachers can set up class blogs where information is relayed to bother parents and students about classroom events. Mirror blogs can be used in the classroom to replace the journaling exercise. In mirror blogging students may perhaps post about new content presented in the classroom and reflect on their learning and thinking. A showcase blog might be used in the classroom to post student works. This enables a variety of people to view the student works. The last way a teacher could use a blog in the classroom is a literature response blog. In this type of blog, students are able to collaborate amongst each other about topics in the classroom.

Blogging in the classroom benefits both the teacher and student. Teachers and students are able to share ideas, communicate, and think critically about various topics of discussion. Teachers are able to monitor student work and communicate with students as well. Students are eager to blog with each other, which in return motivation fosters student learning.

The number one aspect that is affected when using these technologies is student motivation and engagement. Let's face it, kids get tired of writing paper after paper. Students are engaged when using Internet programs as a writing tool. In the article about Ms. Talot's class, she commented that she never heard her students comment, "Oh do we have to write another letter (pen pal)?" The study also noted that using e-mail even motivated the struggling students in her classroom. The computer is a motivator its self, we even treat it as a reward in the classroom. Why wouldn't we use it in our everyday lessons then?

I also believe that we are doing our students an injustice by not presenting the different types of communication found on the Internet. As 21st century teachers, we are to prepare students for college, the workforce, and beyond. I can't remember the last time I said down and had to write a paper out by hand. Why do we continue to write to pen pals using paper and pencil when the majority of letters are typed and sent via e-mail in today's society?

Using blogging, instant messaging, and e-mail teaches students that there are different genres of writing, formal, informal, and live communication. The 6 year old in the article about the beginning writer exposes us to the fact that student associate hand written writings to a formal genre and anything instant as being informal, or more of a conversation style of writing. Typing e-mail and blogging sent a more informal tone, that can influence children to reflect and be creative when writing.

I had never thought about the increased student interaction when using computers to complete written assignments, but it's true; students foster each others learning when computers are involved. Students may communicate pros and cons of another students writing, or give constructive criticism when reading over an assignment. Students very rarely critique each others handwritten compositions, but they do get involved in their peer's typed work.

One aspect that I have noticed when using word processor or e-mail for writing assignments is students can take your criticism much better. I think this is because they can easily go back and fix their mistakes, rather than erase or pencil in the correct wording or punctuation.

Students can also take ownership and post their compositions on the internet rather than hang them up on a wall in the classroom. The student's work can be published for ALL to see. This also motivates children to post their best work. If the information is shared with others, this may open another door by enabling readers to comment on student work. The collaboration that comes along with publishing student work is also a major plus for teacher and students.

Word processing, blogging, and e-mail programs should all be used in the writing process. Each one facilitates a different genre or style of writing, which will definitely be beneficial for the 21st century learner.

To wrap up my post, I will leave you with two articles that can help you get start with your classroom blogging. This article presents information about blogging and its motivational powers! And this article refers to the higher order thinking skills that blogging enhances.