Thing 7b: response to Weblogg-ed reference to CSM article Turn Teen Texting to Better Writing
Will Richardson published an interesting post about texting on Weblogg-ed entitled Connective Writing: Engaging Writing in the Classroom He commented on the Christian Science Monitor article about texting among teenagers. The article cites,
“Researchers found that informal writing is an integral part of youth culture: 85 percent of teens communicate through digital writing. Teenagers also overwhelmingly understand the importance of good writing: 86 percent of teens consider formal writing skills essential to future success.”
Richardson agrees that this is a very positive step to motivating students to improve all types of writing.
Another interesting point the article makes is
“Our student bloggers and digital writers of all backgrounds are part of a journaling culture which America has not seen since the great age of diarists during the Transcendental movement, when Thoreau and Emerson recorded their daily lives for eventual public consumption. ”
Although we must continue to teach the classics, we should avoid resorting to mere classical methods of teaching (e.g. read the text and answer the questions at the end). We want our students to be interactive, reflective learners, but we are constantly resorting to flat teaching methods. I’m not advocating that students turn in their text messages for a grade, but the basics for good reflective learning experiences may stem from some these texts.
on November 1st, 2008 at 11:18 pm
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