Summary of Findings

The process of writing has changed dramatically with the evolution of the Worldwide Web. The change is in the new technological tools writers use as well as in the relationship between writer and audience. Most written texts in the 21st century are created digitally, with planning, drafting, revising, and editing all taking place simultaneously, rather than as the separate and linear steps that are most familiar to teachers.

Publishing is no longer a final step in the process as most published pieces are shared on the web and open to feedback and further revision as knowledge is commonly co-created in the 21st century. This is not to say that pencil and paper are obsolete because students do still compose with pencil and paper. However, composition now includes new media like blogs, google apps, social media, creative tools, websites, and many other technological tools. Along with the new tools, come new text types such as home pages, e-books, e-mails, glogs, wikis, and more. Our job in the 21st century is to help writers become fluent and competent in the use of a variety of technological tools and text forms.

The 21st century writing process is very different from what we still seem to be teaching in our schools. The world has gone from engaging in a linear writing process, using exclusively pencil and paper, to digitally enhancing the existing process using graphic organizer tools and word processors to a 21st century redefinition of the concept of writing and the process involved.

Our job in teaching writing to students is to redefine the process in classrooms to suit our 21st century learners.

This quote by Shawn McCusker sums up my view of the task facing 21st century teachers of writing:

"Yet, in order for educational technology to transcend its past patterns,

paperless work will need to expand beyond the confines of an 81/2 x 11 mindset not just the 81/2 x 11 page."

Recommendations

  • Take an inventory of all uses of technology you are currently using. Write everything down. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised that you are doing lots of great stuff right now!
  • Next, use Reuben Puentedura's SAMR Model to get an idea of how you are currently using technology in your writing instruction (substitution, augmentation, modification, or redefinition).
  • Go to my Resource Depot and choose one or two new tools to try with your class. Choose something that will take you to the next step of the SAMR ladder.
  • Talk to your students about your commitment to 21st century writing instruction. Enlist their help in learning about new tools. You will be amazed at how much you learn from them if you simply give them permission to explore! Remember that you do not have to be proficient, simply willing.
  • Use the mentors that are available in your board. Make technology integration your mentoring focus and work to come up with a plan for 21st century practice.
  • Seek out Professional Development opportunities which will help you to integrate technology, learn more about 21st century practice, and expand your network.
  • Take a look at your curriculum and board recommended writing forms and see how you can fit 21st century practice with requirements. Some examples: Have students write emails as their letter to an author; Friendly letters could be done on blogs; Research projects could be done completely in Google Apps for Education (Google Docs for reports, Google Slides for presentations, Sharing for collaboration).
  • If you feel intimidated or overwhelmed, just pick one thing to try and commit to that. This will lead to a gradual progression along the continuum of 21st century practice.
  • Take the Masters course, EDUC 5203: Introduction to Educational Technology with Prof. Fred Crouse. This course has moved me way up the ladder in all areas of my 21st century teaching practice!
  • If you are just getting started in using technology in your writing instruction, a very good place to begin would be with Google Apps for Education. Here is a list of the most pertinent Google Apps, with links to instructions for use, provided by Fred Crouse, Professor at Acadia University, as part of the course notes for EDUC 5203: Introduction to Educational Technology:

Docs - the word processor (like Word) -->Go to docs

Sheets - the spreadsheet tool (like Excel) -->Go to Sheets

Slides - the presentation tool (like Powerpoint) --> Go to Slides

Forms - the online form tool --> Go to Forms

Gmail - Google's free email account --> Go to Gmail

---------------------

Sites - create your own websites --> Go to Sites

Blogger - create your own blog --> Go to Blogger

Chrome - Google's web browser, recommended for Google Apps --> Go to Chrome

Drive - your own online file storage space (like Dropbox and OneDrive) --> Go to Drive

Calendar - create and share your own online calendar --> Go to Calendar

YouTube - create your own online video channel --> Go to YouTube

Picasa - download your own photo management tool --> Go to Picasa

And many more. Click here to go to a list of all Google apps and tools.