Task 4: Manual Scripts

Mistakes and Editing

My choice of media certainly impacted my editing skills. I chose to use a Trend Pen, which is my favourite writing tool for when I do have to write by hand. A Trend Pen does not erase. There is no way to edit your work once it's been printed on the paper. I did not make many glaring mechanical errors that I felt the need to change right away, in one instance, I forgot the "a" in "Bear", and I just wrote overtop of the letter that I had printed instead. I did not re-read my writing to ensure that I was happy with it's outcome, this was a first draft only writing piece. Ironically, the exact opposite of what I teach my children to do in writing class. Writing is a journey, a process, I teach them. you never submit the first draft. There is always work to be done. I tell them that our two main writing goals are:

1) to make sure our writing is CLEAR for our readers

2) to make sure our writing is INTERESTING for our readers

These goals are equally important. So while I know that my writing example about my dog is perfectly clear, with very minimal mechanical mistakes, I know for a fact that it's not very interesting, and could use some editing in that regard. While reflecting on this piece, I've realized that I automatically double spaced my writing, something I tell my students to do every day, SO THAT EDITING IS MADE EASIER. Yet, I didn't choose to do this myself because it was too much effort.

Significant Differences

The most significant difference between writing by hand and using mechanized forms of writing is really dependent on the individual. My mom would rather write her notes, lists, letters, etc., by hand, 9 times out of 10. She doesn't have the confidence in technology skills necessary to feel like writing mechanically on the computer is beneficial, efficient or even easier. As I stated in my first paragraph - if I never had to write by hand again, I wouldn't be upset about it. However, I'm extremely literate in technology, understand the features, complications, pros and cons of most word processing programs, and am a very quick typer. I feel it all comes down to what your confidence level is with 21st Century Technology, and the devices/apps/programs that you have at your disposal.

Typing everything I write has made me more efficient, more organized, but in a way, it has also made me more lazy. I type everything from grocery lists on my phone, to feedback on student's work. In fact, when I'm modelling a writing lesson for students, I type on my computer, so it's shown on the Smartboard... but then I ask them to write their first draft by hand. ha! I do believe that writing by hand is an important skill, and therefore teach students the steps of the writing process using paper and pencil, while only their FINAL draft is able to be published on a computer. Knowing how much I use technology to write, I wonder if this is something in our classes today that will slowly disappear as the years pass? I myself, find it much easier to edit, revise and perfect my writing when it's done on the computer - ensuring that it is both CLEAR and INTERESTING for my reader.