comment on - new tools for teaching writing - april 20

New Tools for Teaching WritingMr. Jim Buckingham, MA ODE, TEFL Date: Tuesday, 20 April, 2010Time: 12:00 - 12:50Room: Y-102

New Tools for Teaching Writingand it’s relevance to the University College at Zayed University

Jim Buckingham, MA ODE, TEFL Date: Tuesday, 20 April, 2010 Time: 12:00 - 12:50Room: Y-102

A response to Warschauer’s

New Tools for Teaching Writingand it’s relevance to the Zayed University’s – University College Language Department


and it’s relevance to the Zayed University’s – University College Language Department

Agenda The documentObservations What’s missing?CONTEXTMethod How? Why? Proposal Benefits

New Tools for Teaching Writingand it’s relevance to the Zayed University’s – University College Language Department


A response to Warschauer’s

and it’s relevance to the Zayed University’s – University College Language Department


Adobe Acrobat Document

Warschauer, M. (2010). New Tools for Teaching Writing. Language Learning & Technology, 14(1), 3 - 8.


what is it focused on? - Identify tech tools for teaching writing

• blogs• wikis • automated writing evaluation • open source net books


what is it focused on? • importance of writing to second language learners• writing well is a vital skill for academic / occupational success .. but one that is especially difficult for second language learners • writing across the curriculum can be invaluable for mastering diverse subject matter • new digital media have played an important role in the teaching of writing


what is it focused on? • new digital media have played an important role in the teaching of writing

• word processing • revision

• computer mediated communication • social construction of meaning

• blogs • "speak write" • authentic audience , • social authorship

• wikis • topic centric, exchanges • concrete contributions


what is it focused on? • new digital media have played an important role in the teaching of writing

• net books • inexpensive , portable

• automated writing evaluation• potential to provide more immediate, frequent, less cryptic feedback to students on their work

ah… but don't we wish!


• new digital media have played an important role in the teaching of writing

• no longer new "news" - wikis / blogs • no shortage of resources on the net to find these tools

• “using a wiki in education” (+1500 hits on Google)• “using a blog in education” (+1000 hits on Google)

• many of us are using these tools now ..

• no longer new "news" - wikis / blogs • no shortage of resources on the net to find these tools

• “using a wiki in education” (+1500 hits on Google)• “using a blog in education” (+1000 hits on Google)

• many of us are using these tools now ..



• net books .. not sure of their relevance here at ZU • “net books in education” (970 hits on Google)

• automated writing evaluation .. ?• “automated writing evaluation” (30,000 hits Google)



Our context• identifying what works HERE



• identifying what works HERE

• how would we rewrite that article so that it was relevant to us?

Our context



- identifying what is needed HERE - identifying who our students are- identifying what we have / do- applying / adapting ideas from other contexts - identifying if they work HERE - sharing those findings with one another

Our context



- testing findings w/ one another - identifying strategies that work - documenting those strategies .. - discussing what works / doesn’t work - identifying good / best practices - archiving those findings- sharing those findings

Our context



- identifying good / best practices - archiving those findings- sharing those findings

.. characteristics of a professional community of practice

Our context




Our context

.. characteristics of a professional community of practice




Our context

Obstacles? • busy schedules • difficulties with arranging meetings

.. form a professional community of practice



Our context

Overcome elsewhere through • social networking tools • emergence of online communities of practice

- identifying good / best practices - archiving those findings- sharing those findings.. form a professional community of practice



Our context

addressed elsewhere• examples

• Ning – Classroom 2.0• Ning – English Companion Ning

- identifying good / best practices - archiving those findings- sharing those findings.. form a professional community of practice



Our context- identifying good / best practices - archiving those findings- sharing those findings.. form a professional community of practice



Our context

.. form a professional community of practice



Our context.. form a professional community of practice

professional development - take charge of • identifying ourselves as professionals• creating a more vibrant & collaborative work environment• staying current • documenting one's professional interests / development .. for career development




explore the possibility of realizing a community of practice here within the UC Colloquy program

examine what is happening elsewhere - blogs- eportfolios- virtual conferences




document one’s professional interests/ growth

help realize a professional community of practice

Individual

understand / communicate the value of online community for the benefit of students




identify best practices to help improve the quality of instruction

archive & share what has been learned so that it might help other College or community based programs

Zayed University




Next move?




Thank you

comment on - new tools for teaching writing - april 20

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