What kind of writing instruction prepares today’s learners to succeed? Employers’ expectations include effective use of email, virtual meetings, and electronic presentations. But are learners being prepared for these expectations? This session encourages ideas and opportunities for defining and teaching effective writing in the context of current and future technologies.
Ideas and Opportunities for Defining and Teaching Effective Writing in the
Context of Current and Future Technologies
What kind of writing instruction prepares today’s learners to succeed? Employers’ expectations include effective use of email, virtual meetings, and electronic presentations. But are learners being prepared for these expectations? This session encourages ideas and opportunities for defining and teaching effective writing in the context of current and future technologies.
Written communication has not been replaced by technology, rather it has been enhanced. Communication happens more quickly, with more people, using more tools, and in more ways than ever before. The look and style of effective communication has evolved. Complete sentences have been replaced by a few letters or symbols, and there is little tolerance for long paragraphs of text. Blog posts have replaced editorial comments, and captions on photos are used to share adventures and experiences.
Given that written communication is also more permanent and visible than ever before, it is critical that today's and tomorrow's learners know how to professionally express their thoughts.
The ease of technology may also exacerbate issues such as plagiarism, misuse of resources, and a greater need to be discerning. Preparing learners to succeed means rethinking effective writing and how it is taught.
Outcomes for this session include invigorating participants to rethink definitions of effective writing, analyze characteristics of professional communication, and create new strategies to help learners succeed. This session contributes to the conference by providing an opportunity for participants to collaborate in examining current practices, emerging trends, and promising next steps. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mobile devices, apply discussion topics, and reflect on communicating from a learner’s perspective. Examples of student work that demonstrate some of the most common writing issues for learners in an online course will be shared to inspire greater insights and dialogue.
Materials will be shared prior to the conference and posted on the conference website. Participants of higher education are encouraged to attend.