Blog 11

The Lowe article along with the Reyman and Benson article made me think about the pros and cons of blogging and keeping web logs in the classroom. The idea that blogging is another form of literacy, "network literacy" was incredibly eye opening to me. I must say that prior to reading these articles I was completely turned off to the idea of incorporating some sort of online writing such as blogging with my own students, though the reading did not completely change my mind, (I teach 9th grade), it did make me see how beneficial it can be for a older group of students. Lowe really explained the idea that, "blogs enable key interactive features of social, networked communication, such as linking, commenting, and trackbacking." Network literacy is just another way to help develop the other literacies such as rhetoric and composition, critical thinking and argument analysis. The best definition for network literacy was, "Unlike normal conversation that is essentially private but interactive, and unlike broadcast that is inherently not interactive but public, blogging is interactive, public and, of course, networked - that is to say, interconnected." Having students write through this "interconnected network", is key as teachers of writing embrace technology and its different aspects. Blogging encompasses, conversation, reader response, analysis, feedback, and in a way the publishing of material for an audience. All of areas will help writers develop their skills, but also their ability to receive and provide positive and constructive feedback from their peers. In my classroom I feel that this is essential, especially when working in Peer Editing Groups. I feel that if my students can get into the habit of reading and sharing their writing with their peers is a productive manner, then they will be better prepared for future projects in which they may be faced with "blogging" or "web logs" as part of their curriculum.

What I appreciated best from the Reyman and Benson article was the way in which the explained how blogging or web logs place a greater sense of responsibility and ownership on the students and their writing, "for students to go public with their writing to receive feedback, on the grounds that public writing in classrooms de-emphasizes teacher authority and promotes student- writers’ abilities to see themselves as responsible writers and to view writing as a social activity." The idea that through web logs students are at the center of their own learning is amazing. Many times teachers feel that the only way to impart knowledge on students is by being the focus or at the center of most lesson plans, however by placing this sense of ownership on the students and their writing students will more likely produce well thought out, and meaningful writing.

Something so public as posting writing on the world wide web can be misconstrued as dangerous, unproductive, and not suitable for the development of students as writers, but I believe that when done correctly as a part of an English Classroom, this can be a wonderful project. Overall the research presented by the Reyman and Benson article convinced me about the benefits of incorporating writing in public forums such as blogging and web logs in the classroom.