Teaching Writing in the Electronic Age
Teaching Writing in the Electronic Age |
| by Jessica Groach E-Online Classes Columnist People argue that e-mail has made us all poor writers. But many college courses are being taught online, capitalizing on the appeal of this technology for teaching writing. You can't become a better writer without a lot of practice. A hundred years ago, when people wrote long letters by hand, they got that practice. Then inventions like the telephone and radio put a premium on the spoken word, and writing suffered. Today, we're once again relying heavily on the written word. We write hundreds of e-mails a day. We IM. We blog. Can we capitalize on that while teaching writing? Electronic ClassroomsProfessors all over the country now teach college courses online, or use online interactions to build on classroom experiences. These technologies have become teaching tools. Teachers can post syllabi and course materials on home pages, bulletin boards, or group mail lists. They can e-mail class assignments and announcements. They can discuss course topics electronically with individual students or groups.Students can even work together to discuss college course topics or assignments. They can do multitudes of research online. They can maintain journals of responses to course assignments and discussions. And they can share drafts of written work with peers or instructors online. Benefits to WritersElectronic correspondence forces students to write more regularly, in a comfortable framework. Comfort and familiarity breeds confidence, and with confidence comes improvement in writing. This kind of peer discussion is an excellent way to develop ideas and brainstorm solutions. And with ongoing feedback from the instructor about their writing, students eventually put more thought into the writing process. Many professors grade online correspondence, and see improvement as a result.College courses that are taught online aren't just convenient; they may be a valuable tool in helping students communicate more effectively with peers and instructors. About the Author Jessica Groach is a freelance writer, and she has been an English instructor at the University of Nevada, Reno for four years. Her background includes seven years in media, advertising and public relations. Her work has appeared in various lifestyle and business publications, including a Warner Business Book. |
