Inspired Writing and Inquiry

McKenzie, J. (2005, December 21). Inspired writing and inquiry. From Now On, 5(1), Retrieved from http://www.fno.org/dec05/writing.html

Summary: 

Jamie McKenzie points out the gap in American students writing scores and the technology available to students, claiming that with such strong technological components in schools, test scores should be much higher.  McKenzie claims that a disconnect exists between utilizing word processing equipment, or computers, to simply regurgitate ideas and to help expand or enhance the ideas in a writing process.  Many schools use a Six Trait writing process to help students write papers, but are lacking the Idea trait because students are able to copy ideas, rather than develop them. McKenzie writes, "National writing results have improved little since the arrival of computers and laptops because we have not exploited the special characteristics of electronic text and the features of mindware - programs like Inspiration™ and others that strengthen reasoning and the generation of ideas," (McKenzie, 2005). 

 It is the need to generate ideas, as opposed to simply copying or regurgitating them, that makes computers so valuable, but few educators take full advantage of the resources available.  Features such as 'availability', 'fluidity', 'permeability', and 'responsiveness' are all sited as benefits to using electronic text over pen and paper.  McKenzie encourages instructors to use computers to aid students before the final draft of a paper.  The reorganization and flexibility they offer throughout the writing process will ultimately make the Six Traits stronger and the transition through the writing process smoother. The article also offers fun sites with additional resources and ideas for incorporating the use of computers within a classroom.  I would recommend the site for any future teacher engaged in the humanities or arts.

Response: 
As a future teacher I am constantly interested in the latest technologies that will help my students, but now realize that even if I possess the said technology, I may not be utilizing it properly, or to its full extent.  As a student I rarely used the computer for anything other than typing a final draft, which makes sense considering that most schools lack enough computers for each student to use one for each step in the writing process.  However, even if computers are scarce, many programs are available to assist students, especially if working in groups or on larger projects.  There are so many applications available for creativity and writing that students are deserved if not taught how to fully utilize the programs.  By reading McKenzie's article I am aware of my responsibility to my students to introduce them to technology, successfully implement it into my requirements and assignments, and at the same time teach them the full breadth of uses.  Though ever changing, I believe I can stay 'on top of' the technology available enough to assist students in their learning.