Post one

The writing experience in an electronic environment versus the traditional writing process is a very complex experience. The traditional writing is an era where the teacher is seen as the sole provider on relating information, while giving specific guidelines on how the process and product of writing is to be completed. It does not cater to a comprehensive   teacher/ student relationship. In the traditional writing experience the teacher selects topics for writing that he or she deemed interesting. While on the other hand the digital writing experience is a more student friendly approach which caters to the diverse needs of the learners. The teacher is no longer the only provider of the information, but a facilitator who guides his or her   student to the task that need completion.

 As I therefore reflect upon on my journey in using both methods I cannot help in being biassed in my opinions, nevertheless I must also show appreciation to both media of the writing process.  As an educator and a writer who comes from the era of traditional writing and the traditional writing experience which is embedded into my soul. A preference of traditional writing is my main approach to writing since it creates a level of intimacy throughout my writing journey, the opportunity to write my pieces on paper whether for a professional or personal basis is indescribable. The traditional writing allows me the opportunity to literally draw a physical line through errors or even erase them at any given moment.  Also the experience of having multiple scrap paper crumbled on the floor within a pile as I try to articulate my  inner most views on paper ,and the opportunity of returning to those pile of scrap pieces, where I may have left something of purpose is beyond words . The traditional writing journey for me has provided me with a sense of comfort and an avenue to express myself freely.

 According to The Journal of Electronic Publishing, “computers, and the electronic writing   have enabled, significantly alter traditional conceptions of writing. The effects of electronic writing on traditional text call for a re-examination of the prevailing print metaphor for online writing”.

On the other hand, even though I agree with the above statement, I do acknowledge the benefits of digital writing in the 21st century and its value in a technological era. The digital writing and its methods derive from the constructivist approach whose main philosophy is the student centered classroom and experience. 

As I reflect on my experience on writing using this medium of writing, three important points are highlighted which are the digital writing created the avenue for me to share and receive information or critique of my writing instantly. The digital writing also allowed me to be selective in the type of writing that I produced  for example when constructing a text  or tweet my writing approach is most often casual and relaxed however with the use of Microsoft office and email it was often times done in a formal register. Lastly the digital writing allows the opportunity to easily identify errors since auto correct highlighted my shortcomings and inappropriate use of sentence structure.  On the contrary the drawback in engaging in digital writing is the lack of my attention span to sit in front of a computer screen and construct a writing piece, while on the other hand I could sit for hours and write a piece using the traditional method. Another drawback for me when using the digital writing is the language of the digital writer, depending on the occasion certain language is suitable but it is often time easily transferred into professional pieces as a writer or as an educator reading professional articles which often times becomes an area of great concern. 
    

 In conclusion a simple question is posed does it really matter the use of digital writing or traditional writing and the answer is yes. In an era of writing where the approach is catering to “teaching the writing and not the writer”, (Calkins 1994). It is vital that both approaches are used and as a writer I develop an appreciation for both media. It is also important that active participation and knowledge is crucial since it helps to develop me technique to becoming an independent and equipped writer in an age that is constantly integrating and changing.