Writing in Digital Environments Project

Relational Discourse

At the TechEd conference last spring, John Seeley Brown's presentation, "Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age" provides some interesting ideas. He suggests that "...relational discourse is as important as content" in learning. I agree and think that web logs will offer a new arena for relational discourse. Students can discuss books and concepts. They can problem solve. JSB talks about constructing understanding with others through conversations. I think the asynchronious and archivable nature of web logs will make these blog conversations an important cognitive scaffold for student writing. A scaffold provides support with a platform. What will prove to be unique about a blog platform for student writing? A discussion about this was started during a gathering of educators at NECC and continues on web logs. Students may be less likely to ignore other student's comments and ideas when part of a web log study group than if they were working together using a bulletin board. The idea was mentioned at NECC that a web log may produce a more focused discussion that is more easy to follow than a threaded discussion board. In the discussion board environment, following an idea's progression can be difficult as students have to "click around" more to read through various posts. In a web log discussion, students can link to other student's ideas in their posts and participate in a focused extension of those ideas in the comments area. This may produce more focused, coherent discussions. John Seeley Brown says that today's students are learning a new language of interactivity." Imagining what this interactivity will look like over the next few months as students insert text, images, audio, and video into blogs is exciting.

Back From Break

Many distractions have kept me from blogging recently, including a wonderful trip to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada. Biking around Stanley Park was exhilarating. People watching, lovely water views, and lunch at a sidewalk cafe made me want to go back again soon. Having the company of a favorite sibling and his delightful girlfriend made the trip even more enjoyable. Only one scary spill off my bike in Whistler when I hit some deep gravel on the path. I've only bruises, cuts, and no broken bones. I hope to post digital pictures of future trips. I'll probably leave out the bike injury pics!