Who would have guessed that I would enjoy writing. I learned that with a little prompting anything is possible. I put my fears aside and just went with the flow. The flow of the prompts made the task of writing interesting and fun! The adrenalin that I felt the second that I hit that first publish tab. Honestly, it was addicting. What seemed scary and foreign at first turned out to be the driving force behind my writing madness. I learned that I enjoyed knowing that others may read what I wrote! 
     I am positive that if teachers model, set clear expectations, provide examples and offer our their students choices of interesting prompts to write about then I trust their students will want to write. It worked for me! I know we will have successes when integrating blogging into our instruction, because let's face it todays students are more tech savvy then ever before! It is their way of life although, the challenge will be keeping up with the changes and finding the time to sit down and write!

A Step into "Digital" Time

The Digital Writing Workshop

by

Troy Hicks

If you haven't picked up this book, I think you should! It is not very heavy, and I found its content to be both insightful and very interesting. I have learned that I truly misunderstood the purpose of writing. For me I suppose I thought of writing as a chore, task, or necessity. Today I have come to realize that digital media offers each of us the freedom to choose from a multitude of options to creatively express ourselves, make professional digital portfolios, and or complete projects.

We are living in a digital world! Digital workshops provided by teachers are sure to enhance the learning experience. These workshops offer the teacher opportunities to discuss digital safety and to teach students how they can effectively share their writings beyond the classroom walls. These experience can be engaging and are purposeful. The goal is to get the students to write!

The author discusses techniques as to how the teacher can frame his /her digital writing workshops to ensure successful writing opportunities. He talks about how the students' work can be used as a tool for the teacher to assess their understanding of both the process and the product. Hicks shares that the benefits of digital writing assignments may prove to be more beneficial and engaging then those in years past.

I totally agree! While in this class, for example, I have seen a number of presentations and have participated in many writing activities such as blogging. I have found each of these workshops to be very engaging. I have even used some of the sites that I was introduced to compete projects in my other courses.

I was often told as a child that you can never take back what comes out of your mouth nor what people may read into what you have written. I can honestly say I wasn't comfortable with sharing my thoughts and or ideas publically. The first time I hit the publish button, I was honestly fearing what comments would come my way. Today, I can't wait to read them! Good or bad. Blogging and digital writing is fun! I took a chance and it has been exhilarating!  I have a new perspective about writing. Hicks  who wrote, "writers write to be read!" I can't agree more. In conclusion, I would recommend this book, you, and this course!  All have been inspiring and or useful informative resources, that I will most definitely carry with me along my journey. Thank you!