This project will look at how student blogs and class wikis can be utilized to raise literacy levels in the context of formal writing (AS 90053) preparation and practice. The project will focus on how ICT is used beyond the classroom as we are presented with the challenge of limited access to computers in the classroom. We will look at the benefits (and pitfalls) of online collaborative writing and online feed forward and feedback. 

 

In this proposed inquiry project I am aiming to critically reflect on the practice of formal writing, as a formative task through the use of an online classroom community (the class wiki) which provides students with the topics and related live links to resources for a range of formal writing topics. The formal writing practise will be completed in the context of individual student blogs. The blog will then provide a platform for guided and non-guided collaborative writing, peer and teacher feed-forward and feedback.

 

I then wish to look at the effects of these practices on the learner, to see the impact this approach has on student participation, engagement and improvement of literacy levels as illustrated in their production of formal writing. I am also hoping to measure how realistic and successful this approach is in comparison to more traditional in class written practice and potentially measuring whether using an environment (that of the online community) that our students feel comfortable in, enhances the development of their literacy levels.

 

Hmmm, here's hoping my hunch is right that increased engagement may equate to greater success! You check out the class sites and see how the students are going here:

 

11 English: http://amos11english.pbworks.com/Formal-Writing

 

11 English Advanced: http://englishwithamos.pbworks.com/Your-English-Blogs