Elyse Eidman-Aadahl on Writing in the Digital Age (Big Thinkers Series)
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National Writing Project Elyse Eidman-Aadahl describes how the craft of storytelling is evolving, as new digital tools and communications technologies enable connections for content creators around the globe. More resources at https://www.edutopia.org/video/elyse-eidman-aadahl-writing-digital-age-big-thinkers-series
I wonder how/if that sense of collaboration and togetherness affects the reader? When I read articles from Wikipedia I never stop to consider the fact that the page was created as a team effort
I feel that this implicates the fact that teachers should be utilizing collaboration with other educators in an online environment in order to better understand their craft. Furthermore, this can be a tool that better models collaboration for students in general.
Elyse shared a very positive spin on the accessibility of being about to self-publish on the internet. I see it a little differently. When I do general Google searches, I see a lot of plagiarism and re-sharing of the same 5 ideas on a topic. How can we create a layer of review (such as the role of the traditional editor) on the internet that raises the bar for everyone?
Hi Jill. I think its complicated by the fact that Google searches are run by algorithms that are feeding you certain content to read. So the machine itself might be trying to send you the same 5 ideas; and it’s not really about the quality or content of the writing online at all (self-published or not).
Getting away from Google as a search engine is one way to explore what you can find via other search engines (Duck Duck Go is one I use instead).
Also looking in place where folks are self-publishing and providing their content for reuse and remixing is another place to see a range of creative work. Start at Creative Commons for more.
Interesting! I haven’t thought much about using other search engines. Thanks for the tips and direction.
Thanks for the reminders, Christina! I will try to Google less. I have heard of Duck Duck Go, but I don’t have much experience using it. I will also explore the Creative Commons more.
I haven’t heard of Duck Duck Go but will try it. Are there others you recommend?
Matthew, I agree with you and this is the basis for the post I wish to share. Continued focus on the quality of the writing is so important.
A bit of a tangent- in another class someone said that research says elementary writers benefit from handwriting their writing and that they should be required to use pen and paper. I haven’t looked at the literature but this has been bugging me. Elyse Eidman-Aadahl is the total opposite and feels that communication in any form is valid and supportive?
I’m curious about this too, Sara. I have an almost-kindergartener at home and I’ve been thinking a lot about the ways in which technology will be part of his education. I’ve been hesitant to use technology so far at home without understanding how it can/should fit in.
Starting a thread of discussion on early writers might be of interest to others in the BB discussion.
I’ve never heard this idea that young writers should be required to use only (I’m assuming the “only” here) pen and paper and I’d be curious what research is being pointed to. If you think about pen and paper as technology, however, then there is a lot of say about using a range of technologies and being adept with that range for sure. There is some work I posted this week that shows some lovely handdrawn work by youth pulled into a digital tool that they use to augment their drawings and share with their parents and the wider community.
One of Elyse’s comments that caught my attention was about teaching for the future. Students will certainly be utilizing technologies for storytelling that aren’t yet developed and we can help them better use what’s available to them today to help prepare them for the future. One aspect of storytelling and writing that won’t change is the importance of the quality of writing itself. We cannot lose sight of that, especially if digital tools enable us to also become editors, illustrators, publishers, publicists, etc. The quality of the art and craft of writing must remain paramount in the process before assuming the other roles afforded by technology.
Yes. And author’s craft is expanding all the time; see Chapter 4 of Hick’s Digital Writing Workshop (in eReserves)
I would say this probably depends right? On context, purpose, audience, etc. A text to your friend or posts on FB are also writing but don’t need this kind of support. Whereas something you want to use in your digital portfolio to show a future employer, yes probably could use another set of eyes. I think context is really important.
I like the idea that sharing is instinct and that there are now innumerable ways to get those stories out into the world.
What an interesting concept! At many colleges in the First Year Experience class, we teach the concept of how to use a college textbook effectively…how to understand its academic register. I wonder if today’s students would respond more positively to this if we discussed writing as a technology?
The idea of one person with multiple jobs is so interesting. I haven’t considered this change in writing before- I think I align closer to growing with with one person holding many jobs. I’m wondering if, using these different digital tools, we can still split up the “jobs” in a group, but make it more of an online peer effort to get to the “publishing” point of a student paper.
While I agree that with self-publishing tools we allow more voices to be heard, there is something to be said for the roles of an editor or publisher. These individuals were tasked with making sure that ideas were supported with data, just as in a peer-reviewed journal.
This is a great point. I also feel that collaboration is a very important part of the process when sharing/publishing information.
What is meant by sophisticated writing? Does that mean text with engaging music and visuals or does that mean clear, concise writing that conveys an idea or emotion….or both?
Knowing Elyse, probably both :)
Earlier in the video, Elyse mentioned the “low barrier of entry” to anyone wishing to publish online. Honestly, this made me cringe a little because it has almost become too easy. Anyone can put anything on the internet. However, I found myself nodding along with her comments here—just because you can, should you?—and the importance of sharing work responsibly.
I believe it is important for teachers to be using different forms of digital communication in order to guide our students through the process of collaborative writing.
I find it hard to think of the maker of a YouTube video as an author. We almost need a new, broader word that encompasses more forms of expression. I need to do a better job of recognizing various forms communication that are authored and maybe language would help?
I’m glad you brought this up because it reminded me of a conversation I had with a few students. They were complaining that we were writing an essay in English class, but were able to make a “video essay” in History. To them, the projects were interchangeable because of the word essay, but in reality they were practicing completely different types of writing. I do agree that our language is not adapting as quickly as our online formats are.
I use writing to speak across both text-based work as well as video because they are both compositional acts that are created in similar ways for similar purposes. But if you want to differentiate them, how does composition work for you?
We could call this class Teaching Composition Online :)
Considering how quickly technology has been changing, I wonder if it is really possible to teach for twenty years from now. I am sure my teachers in high school or college never imagined the changes that would occur in writing in the next two decades.
You have a great point, Matthew! Perhaps focusing less on anticipating new technologies and more on flexibility/adaptability to different technologies?
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First read – What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Second read – What are the implications for writers, for learners, for teachers?
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