EDT 5373: Week 5 Chapter Reading Assignment

Chapter 7: Writing with Technologies

            This chapter understands the need to write substantively in order to function in today’s society. The tools they discuss address the writing process in varying ways and how they support individual and collaborative settings.

            Concept maps require students to create maps in a visual manner by connecting links.  These maps are often used in the planning and analysis of written assignments. Some of the software used to generate concept maps are C-map, Inspiration/Kidspiration, Mindmeister and Visual Thesaurus. These tools allow students to identify important ideas and then connect by labeling relationships between those ideas. Students can also create templates for the structuring of different types of writing.

            Another visualization tool that is helpful in the writing process is Wordle (www.wordle.net). This tool is free, and it creates what is called a “word cloud” from the text that is typed. Wordle emphasizes the word that is used most when the user types it. While Wordle can be used just for fun, it can also be used as an instructional tool. One example of this is when a teacher used it to generate a multitude of adjectives to describe a noun.

            Using blogs to publish ideas is another way technology supports creative writing. A blog is a type of website that lets users Publish instantly. Those who read blogs can also instantly participate in written conversation instead of having a one sided dialogue.

            There are also technology tools that support certain forms of writing (e.g., essays, poetry). Poetry Forge (www.poetryforge.org) was designed by the University of Virginia which offers tools for creative writing, in this case poetry. Another website that offers writing forms in Essay is Punch (www.essaypunch.com). This site is not free, but the cost is less than $100 per class; the same company offers paragraph and book writing.

            Technology also supports collaborative writing. There are many online tools that allow for collaborative writing: Google Docs (docs.google.com), Zoho (writer.zoho.com) just to name a few. Teachers should also support students during this collaborative process by providing structure, establishing expectations and frequent monitoring.

            This chapter informed us of tools that students can use to assist in different parts of the writing process. I will be interested in exploring concept maps for planning and organizing information, and I would also like to explore Poetry Forge for poetry writing.