fin.

This semester I learned a lot about digital writing.  I’ve never blogged before, but now I understand why it can really appeal to people.  It serves as a great way to get ideas out and to process thoughts.  Blogging can also serve a number of purposes in the classroom.  I think students can get a lot out of reading their peers’ writing and they can learn from the comments they receive.  It acts as a way to share opinions and start deeper discussions.

I learned a lot about myself as a writer throughout this class.  I definitely get into the writing more if the topic is something I care about.  That can be useful in the classroom because we always want the students to be doing meaningful writing.  I also learned that if I had my own blog I would really have to make a conscious effort to update it consistently.  With so many things always going on, it can be difficult to find the time to jot down my thoughts.

Overall, I enjoyed the digital writing I did in this course and there are a number of strategies that I will be incorporating into my own Language Arts classroom.

Argument Writing

I like that classes are really stressing the importance of argument writing in the classroom.  I imagine that when students think about arguments they think of heated discussions that might devolve into name-calling or hurt feelings.  When we teach argument writing we are able to make the students understand that differing opinions are a huge part of the learning process.

I am a big believer in learning through discussion.  We are shaped by our backgrounds and our experiences, and by learning about the worldviews of others we grow as students and as human beings.  Argument writing is about expressing opinions and backing up those opinions with evidence.  It forces us to examine the things that we believe and it makes us consider others’ arguments as valid and enlightening.  And the best thing about argument writing is its real world applicability.  Students learn to defend their opinions and show cause for the things that they believe.  In the real world we constantly asked to defend the things we say and do, and having the ability to rationally and methodically defend ourselves is a big part of being an adult and being a professional.