Because Digital Writing Matters

I’m about half way through Because Digital Writing Matters, and have mixed feelings. I remember hoping, when I read it, that Because Writing Matters would be this phenomenal book, and it wasn’t. It was disappointing because it talked all theory and had very few actual examples in it. Just a lot of statistics. So far, BDWM has been a lot better.

It’s a little dry, but I’ve found myself thinking a lot about how I can incorporate digital writing into my classes. Our freshman have 1 to 1 computers this year, so I have every opportunity to add digital writing, but it’s intimidating. The book points outs that digital writing can help kids find authentic audiences, learn what real writers do, and even teach them valuable revision tools. I want all of that for my students, but it also requires so much extra time and instruction to teach digital writing. With all of the things we’re asked to do, I wonder if I can find that time. It’s not something I can do large scale this year, I know that. But, I want to in the future.

I’ve been thinking about having my creative writing class work on a digital portfolio at the end of the semester. Maybe they can choose their favorite pieces and create podcasts or movies. Or, maybe as a final project, they can create movies of extended metaphor about what writing is like. I don’t know, but I know I need to find ways to redefine for my students and myself what writing is.