1. THE 21ST CENTURY WRITER
CONNECTING, CREATING AND COMMUNICATING IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
Cathy Danahy, Johnna Costanza
Sharon Bailey, Liz Walker
March 24, 2014

2. Digital Writing
What is it? Participatory and collaborative and/or more than just words: images, sound, video, motion to communicate a message.
How does it fit in with writing instruction?
The possibilities are endless but we need to put meaning behind the “project.”
Technology is not just for technology’s sake.

3. Web 2.0 and Digital Tools Used to produce and publish writing
Appropriate for every level
Make technology projects fun and engaging

4. Digital Tools Enhance Learning
Give students a chance to review their work and edit when necessary
Can be a motivating factor because there is an audience
Authentic
These tools are what professionals in every industry are using to communicate, innovate and collaborate.

5. Good Digital Writers are Good Digital Citizens
Necessary part of a technology integration
Digital citizens help build positive online communities
Blogging, commenting on Voicethreads are all opportunities to practice Netiquette

6. In Writing Workshop we…
Engage in process writing
Organize units of study around a genre with skills and strategies embedded in the unit
Bring one piece to print publication

7. When Publishing Digitally we…
Think, What is this piece of writing’s digital form?
Turn a print piece into a digitally published piece
Transfer learned skills, application of skills
Work in teams > Project based learning
Work collaboratively

8. Turning a Print Piece of Writing into a Digital Piece Teaches Students to…
Consider their audience
Define a purpose
Adjust the tone
Make good decisions about language
Structure a piece across platforms

9. First Grade Unit: Writing to Teach Others Print Piece: All About Books
Digital Piece: Little Bird Tales

10. Second Grade Unit: Writing about Our Opinions
Print Piece: Book Reviews
Digital Piece: Voicethread
Second Grade

11. Fourth Grade Unit: Researching to Write about Information
Print Piece: Nonfiction Books
Technology Connection: Using presentation tools to produce and publish writing

12. Sixth Grade
Unit: Nonfiction Research Clubs and Writing to Make a Difference
Print Writing: Research Based Argument Essays
Digital Writing: Public Service Announcement

13. Eighth Grade
Unit: Navigating through 21st Century Information and Using our Words to Change the World
Print Piece: Argument Essay
Digital Piece: Ted Talk
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

14. Eighth Grade
Unit: Exploring Fairness and Equality as Themes in Literature
Print Piece: Reading Notebook Responses
Digital Piece: Book Trailer

15. Looking Forward
As we learn the tools, we can make improvements in their usage
Students are self directing this learning, we are their guides
Tremendous opportunity for creativity
Constantly learning about new web 2.0 tools and seeing how they apply