This workshop explore some pre-writing and writing tools for the classroom.

1. Technology Tools for Writing
Kelley Kawano
Instructional Technology Fellow
kelley.kawano@mail.cuny.edu
Antonia Levy
Instructional Technology Fellow
antonia.levy@mail.cuny.edu
Sarah Morgano
Academic Operations Assistant
sarah.morgano@mail.cuny.edu
Tech WAC: Technology and Writing Across the Curriculum
CUNY School of Professional Studies
30 March 2012
cuny.is/spstechwac

2. Web 1.0 (1991-2003)
•Content was pushed out to
users
•No user-generated content
•Users could not reflect on
content
jacombs, Netscape Navigator Box: mint condition, January 7, 2010
via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

3. Web 2.0
What?
•Interactive
•Accessible
•Collaborative
•Easy-to-use
Why?
•Engagement
•Differentiation
•Critical Thinking
•New Capabilities
•Alternative Learning Environments
•Extend Learning
•Lifelong learning
Quang Minh, Web 2.0 City, December 29, 2006
via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

4. Source: http://www.informationarchitects.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/slash/iA_WebTrends_2007_2_1600x1024.gif

5. COGNITIVE OVERLOAD
When learning new tools, use familiar tasks;
when learning new tasks, use familiar tools.
Barrett, 1991

6. Your friendly neighborhood ITF’s…

7. YOU
Your friendly neighborhood ITF’s…

8. Source: http://www.informationarchitects.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/slash/iA_WebTrends_2007_2_1600x1024.gif
Point A
Your friendly neighborhood ITF’s…

9. Source: http://www.informationarchitects.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/slash/iA_WebTrends_2007_2_1600x1024.gif
Point B
Point A
Your friendly neighborhood ITF’s…

10. In This Workshop…
Pre-Writing Tools:
• Social Bookmarking
– Delicious.com
– Diigo.com
Writing Tools:
• Blogs in Blackboard
• Wikis in Blackboard
• ePortfolios
Cambodia4kids.org Beth Kanter, Tags: Keywords to describe digital objects, October 3, 2006 via Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribution

11. Social Bookmarking » Delicious
http://www.youtube.com/embed/HeBmvDpVbWc

12. http://delicious.com/mkgold/

13. http://cuny.is/dhiforum

14. Social Bookmarking » Diigo
http://vimeo.com/12687333

15. http://www.diigo.com/user/Mbransons

16. http://iisquared.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/diigo-and-delicious/

17. Writing Tools

18. Wikis* in Blackboard
A wiki contains multiple, hyperlinked pages that
are organized by content.
Wikis can be used for
• collective brainstorming
• collaborative study guides and (lab)
manuals
• final group projects
* Hawaiian for “very fast”

19. Wikis in Blackboard
Advantages
• Simple design; easy collaboration
• Wiki saves successive revisions
• Instructor can monitor individual student
contributions
• Wikis can be made available for non-members
(e.g. for peer review)
• RSS feed available
• Content is exportable

20. Wikis in Blackboard
Considerations
• multiple-page layout could get confusing when
wiki pages multiply
• individual student’s contributions are not as easily
distinguishable as in Blogs or Discussion Boards

21. Blogs in Blackboard
• A linear site in which entries are made in
journal style and displayed in reverse
chronological order.
• Blackboard blogs can be set up for individual
users, groups of students, or for the entire
class.

22. Blogs in Blackboard
• Developing a blog assignment
– Good for either low- or high-stakes writing
assignments
– Consider the type of assignment it correlates to in
a f2f or online environment

23. Blogs in Blackboard
• How can blogs be used?
– Private, individual, or public response journals
– Sharing resources

24. Blogs in Blackboard
Advantages
• Reflective, response-driven medium
• Familiar layout
• Controlled conversation
• Can chart chronological progress
• Privileges new content
• RSS feed available

25. Blogs in Blackboard
Considerations
• One voice, rather than discussion
• Finding specific information in a blog
• Focus on newer content
• Blog content not exportable

26. ePortfolios
An ePortfolio is a student-authored website that allows
students to take over the learning process while
developing writing and presentation skills.
• Customizable
• Accessible
• Sharable

28. Show and Tell…
General Course Template
https://cunyonline.digication.com/course3/
Gen Ed: EAS 250 Oceanography Course Template Example (Kathleen Schnaars-Uvino)
https://cunyonline.digication.com/eas_250_01_schnaars_sp_12_template
Gen Ed: COM 110 Digital Information in the Contemporary World Example (Coy
Jones)
https://cunyonline.digication.com/coy_jones
MA in Disability Studies: Capstone ePortfolio Example (Cris Marchionne)
https://cunyonline.digication.com/chris.marchionne

29. ePortfolios in Digication
http://www.youtube.com/embed/NxB0Xz5oI7Q

30. Integrating ePortfolios
Questions to Consider
• What discipline-based skills and knowledge can ePortfolio strengthen
or elicit? Think especially about the creative use of image and
multimedia.
• What choices will you make about learning objectives using
ePortfolio?
• How can a student learn best within your discipline using the
capabilities that ePortfolios provide?
• How will you incorporate reflections (both on process and looking
back on the course)?

31. Teaching with Technology:
Tips & Tricks
• Back up work: Technology can fail so it's important to back-up work on an external
hard drive or USB key.
• Cleaning text: Text written in MS Word often retains quirky formatting when
pasted into a web browser. Convert to plain text before posting your documents.
• Make use of media: The text editor in Blogs, Wikis, and ePortfolios allows easy
inclusion of videos, images, and links.
• Citations: Students need to properly cite sources—whether text, images, or media
—whenever they are used.
• Copyright: Students should not use copyrighted content unless they have
permission, it is in the public domain, and/or it falls under the “fair educational
use” exemption.

32. Wikis Blogs ePortfolios
General A collaborative space containing multiple, A linear site in which entries are made A student-authored website that
Description hyperlinked pages organized by content. in journal style and displayed in allows students to take ownership
Wikis can be set up for individual users, reverse chronological order. They can over the learning process while
groups of students, or for the entire class. be set up for individual users, groups developing their writing and
Blackboard 9.1 will include a plagiarism of students, or for the entire class. presentation skills.
feature for blogs. Blackboard 9.1 will include a
plagiarism feature for blogs.
Types:
Wikis can be used for: Blogs be used for: •Course-based
•collective brainstorming •Private or public response journals •Academic
•multiple-authored study guides and (lab) •Sharing resources •Program / Capstone
manuals, final group projects. •Group projects •Showcase
Advantages •Simple design, easy collaboration •Reflective, response-driven medium •Student-centered
•Can incorporate multimedia content •Familiar layout •Incorporate multimedia and other
•Saves successive edits so previous versions •Controlled conversation web tools
can be restored •Privileges new content •Co-curricular and extra-curricular
•Allows multiple users to collaborate within •RSS feed available connections
same text entry area •Tied to Grade Center in Blackboard •Save work beyond the semester
•Tracking feature allows to monitor •Linked to grading rubric in BB 9.1 •Accessible and shareable
individual contributions •Users control privacy
•Can be made available for non-members •Includes comments feature that
to view and comment (e.g. peer review) sends an email notification to user
•RSS feed available •ePortfolios can be copied and
•Tied to Grade Center in Blackboard exported
•Linked to grading rubric in BB 9.1
•Content is exportable
Considerations •multiple-page layout could get confusing •One voice, rather than discussion •May require higher technical
when wiki pages multiply •Difficulty of finding specific competency
•Individual student’s contributions are not information in a blog •Requires a separate login from
as easily distinguishable as other BB tools •Focus on newer content Blackboard
(e.g. blogs or discussion boards) •Blogs are not exportable •Tracking