Writing and Technology

What is it that those of who teach writing already do? What kinds of activities/values do we have around teaching writing?

1. Writing to Learn
2. Writing for in-class discussion/activity
3. Writing as response
4. Writing as dialogue/conversation

We use writing in all these settings/activities:

Class
Conference
Workshop
Feedback
Discussion
Formal Writing Assignments
Processy Stuff (WTL)

Who could help me define the "activities" of the writing teacher--core activities that most teachers would recognize and already "own." What are the basic "tools" of the writing teacher's trade? And then...how can we use digital tools to do our work better? This is what makes the project a bit different from working with teachers in the content areas: for them, all these activities are new and weird and different. You're trying to introduce them to these activities, often for the first time.

With this project, I'm starting with the "givens" that we all share about writing and writing instruction--the things we already know and likely do. I'm asking, how can we use digital tools to do these things better--more efficiently for us, more effectively for students?

Spoke with Leasa this morning and it looks like we are going to move forward with the project. Categories:

Big Picture: Selfe's "The Perils of Not Paying Attention."

1. Introduction: from the Unabomber to an advocate: my story...
2. In-Class (peer review, WTL activities)
3. Out-of-Class (homework, conferences, responding to student writing)

Angles: the comp person goes out to learn about something other field and brings back what he finds/learns for comp folks

Angles: the convert (me) shares his process

Important possible sources:

Peer-Review
Responding to Student Writing (Anson)
The tricks of the writing teacher's trade (Lindemann?)

Writing formal Assignments
Write-to-Learn

Responding to Student Writing (informal and formal)

Designing Course Materials