Digital Writing: The New Writing

Digital writing brings new and different ways of creating arguments in text. In the day of paper newspapers, a person would have to write an editorial and wait for responses (Turner & Hicks, 2017). Today in the age of digital writing the response is immediate. When creating or responding to a digital argument a writer must consider many things. Mode, media, audience, and purpose are some of the things to consider when an argument is formulated. Even though students are well-versed in many digital formats, correctly writing in digital form is something students must be taught (Hicks, 2013).

Teaching students to write so they can be successful on standardized tests is only one type of writing in current classrooms. Students will need to write in a digital format many times in their high school and college careers (Hicks, 2013). It is the teacher’s job to make sure students understand the difference between traditional writing and digital writing. Also, the students have to be taught the correct way to write digitally.

When teachers hear the word literacy they automatically think reading and writing. However, in the 21^st Century classroom, literacy can mean a lot more (Heitin, 2016). Digital literacy includes reading and writing but goes even further. Digital literacy means being able to use, evaluate, and communicate with technology. Reading and writing digitally is a powerful method of communication of this generation.

In digital writing the use of hyperlinks, links, that when clicked on, lead the reader to other information about the subject, can strengthen the argument but they can also weaken it. When considering the use of hyperlinks, the author must evaluate what the link will add to the writing. Hyperlinks can lead a reader to videos, pictures, or down a rabbit hole of information. When using hyperlinks the information on the other end must add to the argument or give a different perspective.

Hyperlinks can give the reader more information about the subject being discussed or, they give the reader contradicting information. The use of hyperlinks is what can make digital writing more powerful than traditional writing would ever be. When reading an article on the effects of global warming, the reader can travel to far off places and see pictures and watch videos to illustrate both sides of the argument. This makes the material real and more valuable. When writing digital text and using hyperlinks, it is crucial that the author uses valuable links. The links should add creditable information to the argument (Turner & Hicks, 2017).  

Heitin, L. (2017, December 08). What Is Digital Literacy? Retrieved February 14, 2018, from

           https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/11/09/what-is-digital-literacy.html?qs=what+is+digital+literacy

Hicks, T., & Lehman, C. (2013). Crafting digital writing: composing texts across media an genres. Portsmouth, NH:                          Heinemann.

Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Argument in the real world: teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts. 
            Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Voxer Chat #1

During the initial Voxer chat the group was responsible for discussing "How School Leaders Help to Enhance Communication & Classroom Instruction with Web 2.0 Tools". My topic was blogging. I feel that blogging can be a benefit when used as a professional development tool. Access educators blogs will allow teachers to learn about many subjects without having to leave their schools.
David Sheffield choose to discuss Twitter as a form of communication. He feels that Twitter can be used as a form of professional development. It allows educators the opportunity to gain knowledge from many sources.
Another team member Amanda, choose podcast for her topic. We discussed how podcast and blogging go together and accent each other. Through blogging the person is expressing their thoughts and feelings on particular subjects and through podcast it can be an audio version of the same concept.
Lastly, Brandi discussed Google apps. Google apps are used in classroom and schools everywhere. They are great tools for communication, organization, and management.