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I'm Aneesa from EdSurge - I know I always moderate #edsurgechat but I'm especially excited about tonight's topic b/c I am a writer & have actually taught writing a bit
Hey #edsurgechat - my name is Josh from Washington DC. I teach computer science in 4 schools and consult for a few edtech companies! 👨🏫 Looking forward to chatting!
A1 As a middle school teacher their desire to write is very strong and even in this age of quick, short responses. Ts and Ss both are finding ways to keep writing relevant #edsurgechat
A1 - maybe a slight decline. The immediacy of writing with technology sometimes makes Ss want to rush through writing. But it’s all about process imo #edsurgechat
A1 Decline in interest and skill..not sure about this relationship to tech because Ts also have decline in Instruction time devoted to writing. Many Ts not teaching writing at all. #edsurgechat
A1 Decline in interest and skill..not sure about this relationship to tech because Ts also have decline in Instruction time devoted to writing. Many Ts not teaching writing at all. #edsurgechat
A2 Almost all Ts teach some form of writing. So finding consistency with the strategies being taught amongst Ts so Ss don’t feel confused on how to write. #edsurgechat
A2 - one challenge is stamina. Longer pieces require sustained effort. I think building stamina is all about practice and gradually increasing length of writing time. #edsurgechat
It depends on what ‘academic writing’ means-any writing that doesn’t appear outside of a school environment (5 paragraph essays, etc)always seemed meaningless to me #edsurgechat
A2 - another challenge could be the “I’m done” mentality. Investing students in the process of continually improving their writing is important. It’s rarely ever “done” but rather ready for the next phase of revision. #edsurgechat
A2. Understanding how to transfer their outline/ideas to a full finished product. There is only so much scaffolding you can do, eventually they have to think on their own. #edsurgechat
A2 For me, the biggest challenge has always been the number of students who need 1:1 help and the grading load (doesn’t always provide for immediate feedback) #EdSurgeChat
A2 Almost all Ts teach some form of writing. So finding consistency with the strategies being taught amongst Ts so Ss don’t feel confused on how to write. #edsurgechat
A2: Making sure that the process & topics reflect what students will/do encounter outside of the school walls-that might mean stories in their voice told in modern ways #edsurgechat
A2. Understanding how to transfer their outline/ideas to a full finished product. There is only so much scaffolding you can do, eventually they have to think on their own. #edsurgechat
Agreed. I also think evidence gathering is a task in and of itself. So many things to teach: fact/opinion, credible sources, citing appropriately, etc. #edsurgechat
A2 How to fix — I have conferencing appointments and for grading I learned to grade instead of EDIT! My teacher partner had “writing parties” in the evening to provide more opportunity for 1:1 #EdSurgeChat
At first I read "stigmata" and I thought that could really impede writing. But also this is a good point. It speaks to the reason why my novel is only 1/3 written. #edsurgechat
A2 How to fix — I have conferencing appointments and for grading I learned to grade instead of EDIT! My teacher partner had “writing parties” in the evening to provide more opportunity for 1:1 #EdSurgeChat
A3 Our School has an initiative using the RARE format. Restate Question, Answer Q, Reason from the text, Explain your Answer. Start with RA with our 6th graders #edsurgechat
I teach computer science. I think it is essential for students to be able to explain and articulate how they created their code. Ss script out their explainations and present to peers and adults. #edsurgechat
A3- in my #STEM classes I always had students write formal lab reports, which comes with new sets of writing rules, style and purpose. I think Ss writing in various styles in important. #edsurgechat
I think it helps that now I can write with more than #140characters, so I can expound at length using overly verbose vocabulary that previously would have been a non-starter in the old Twitter World-I could continue…but why push the limits now #edsurgechat
For me, syntax is not just the English language, but is how my students read and write their own musical compositions as a means of self expression. #edsurgechat#MusicEducation
I’m not teaching ATM, but like this idea! What do you think it was about the blog format that allowed their voice to come through stronger? Do you think they see it as less constricting? #EdSurgeChat
A3 Our School has an initiative using the RARE format. Restate Question, Answer Q, Reason from the text, Explain your Answer. Start with RA with our 6th graders #edsurgechat
A3 - Also in #STEM classes persuasive writing and the ability to defend a stance on a topic is essential. Lots of writing went into Socratic seminar discussions. #edsurgechat
A3 - also science fair was a ton of writing. Wash section of the report has its own important purpose and needs specific writing. From the procedure to the conclusion to the abstract. #edsurgechat
I’m not teaching ATM, but like this idea! What do you think it was about the blog format that allowed their voice to come through stronger? Do you think they see it as less constricting? #EdSurgeChat
A3 - last one for this question. Phew lol. But I used RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) writing a lot in science to put Ss in a specific situation, time period or someone else’s shoes. #edsurgechat
A3 - last one for this question. Phew lol. But I used RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) writing a lot in science to put Ss in a specific situation, time period or someone else’s shoes. #edsurgechat
Yes. I totally think it does. Social media is quick. So students may perceive writing as instant. But the audience and purpose are often so different. But I do think instant gratification (likes, shares, RTs, etc) plays a role. #edsurgechat
#edsurgechat A3. History one can break down tasks...get them learn more taking techniques Ss..enjoy organisation.Have them work online. #GoogleClassroom is effective, Google docs allows for instant feedback.let them make slideshows .
A4: one of the more effective is having students use speech-to-text to create a stream of consciousness for their ideas on the topic-this gives them a natural flow & they’re not impeded by the act of writing #edsurgechat
A4: one of the more effective is having students use speech-to-text to create a stream of consciousness for their ideas on the topic-this gives them a natural flow & they’re not impeded by the act of writing #edsurgechat
I know it will get me in trouble as I have a tendency to be long-winded & Twitter, to it’s credit, forced me to focus my thoughts & be concise... ‘brevity is the soul of wit’..see what I mean about long-winded #edsurgechat
A4 prewriting always starts as oral discussions / brainstorming sessions about the assignment and topics then we move into a KWL or quick write depending on the type of writing. #edsurgechat
Yes..they got a preshow mix, are inviting guests for perspective, and went deeper with research for podcast but saw similarities in writing. #EdSurgechat
A5 - I really think peer editing can be incredibly beneficial. Both the editor and original writer have an important role to play and peer editing rubrics help students to invest and see clearly how both can be successful in the process. #edsurgechat
A5: Ss look for opportunities for more beautiful words, figurative lang., & other aspects to improve writing. Not always quick & fun but screenwriters & authors suffer this slow process too #Edsurgechat
A3: Always be reflecting! That is what I always taught students in the science classroom. Make sure that you write your observations! The trick now is to make sure its detailed and thought out! #edsurgechat
A4: I love integrating storyboards as a way to plan out writing. Started when we worked on digital stories and I found it a really effective brainstorming and outline tool. #edsurgechat
A6 - I like a good old collaborative google doc. Students can write. Students can edit. Teacher can support. Revision history is amazing. See every change and every version start to finish. #edsurgechat
A6 - @Edulastic has great assessment items of alllllllll types. So if you are looking to assess something in writing (or other subjects) lots of ways to do so to show mastery #edsurgechat
A6: All the collabrotive tools that come with #Google education. Having students "comment only" on others writing can be very effective. The trick is to teach them early, quality feedback! Google drawing is great for brainstorm. #edsurgechat
A6- @NotabilityApp let’s me send worksheet templates to my students and they can annotate with the pencil feature, and then write their full ideas with the typing option. Best of both worlds, and everything from the whole process is in one place. #edsurgechat
A6 I wish someone would create a better formatting tool for APA and MLA. Something that would not do it for them but something more .. interactive. Easybib, etc.. is horrible because Ss don’t know if the final format is correct or not-those are 4 experienced writers #edsurgechat
A6: Love students amazement when they see multiple contributors to a document! This is an activity I do with teachers to show them multiple collaborators on the same doc. Called proofing Lincoln! #edsurgechat#edtech#GoogleClassroom
A6 I wish someone would create a better formatting tool for APA and MLA. Something that would not do it for them but something more .. interactive. Easybib, etc.. is horrible because Ss don’t know if the final format is correct or not-those are 4 experienced writers #edsurgechat
Thanks all. As always it was a really great chat. The title made me think there would be more social media conversations (maybe for a future chat - using social media in the classroom) #Edsurgechat@EdSurge
Thanks all. As always it was a really great chat. The title made me think there would be more social media conversations (maybe for a future chat - using social media in the classroom) #Edsurgechat@EdSurge
