𝔻𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕝 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 - 𝔹𝕝𝕠𝕘 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝟛

Blog Post #3: You will compose a reflection on your experiences using a digital writer’s notebook. In what ways was it similar to print and bound writer's notebooks? In what ways was the process different? What are the benefits and drawbacks (in terms of learning) for using digital media to support the writing process?


The idea of a writer's notebook was influenced by the lives of published authors, who typically had notepads close at hand to jot down words, phrases, and other ideas as they came to mind (Studios, 2019). Students can live like a writer in a writer's notebook, being able to add to it at any time of day, anywhere, not only during writing periods in class. With the development of technology, writing notebooks have incorporated digital media to create digital writer’s notebooks. Videos, articles, advertisements, music, podcasts, audiobooks, and digital art are all examples of digital media. Persons consume digital media every time they use a computer, tablet, or smartphone to access web-based services and applications (What is digital media? All you need to know about new media, 2020). In the following post, I will explain ways in which digital notebooks are similar to print and bound writer's notebooks and in what ways they differ. I will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks as it relates to learning when using digital media to support the writing process.

Although I have never considered the applications that I used for writing as digital writer’s notebooks, based on the descriptions above I have indeed been using digital writing notebooks for quite a few years now. The one that I will highlight is Google Docs. Google Docs allows you to create and edit documents directly from the web browser with no need for additional software or application downloads. Persons can also work with numerous individuals at once, see changes as they are made, and every change is automatically stored. I have used Google Docs quite frequently as a digital writer’s notebook primarily for academic purposes to draft, revise, edit and publish my assignments. This digital notebook is most convenient for me because once the information is placed on a Google Doc, I can thereafter access the information from any location, using any device as long as I have signed in to my Google account. I can even access this notebook on my mobile phone to work on assignments while I am on the go.

Another reason for using this within my academic environment is the collaborative features offered. Group assignments have been commonplace in my recent academic experiences, therefore, increasing the need to work together to complete an assignment. With the increasing use of technology to complete assignments, and being required to compose digital and multimodal texts, Google Docs has allowed for easy collaboration with group members. Each person can access, add, remove, and make suggestions to the shared “notebook” with Google Docs. It is as easy as selecting the option that says “new document”, and then adding each person by using their Google Mail account as a collaborator/editor to the document. Within this notebook, I can create countless “new documents” each focusing on a different subject matter or assignment.

Google Docs, was used to collaborate on many tasks since the beginning of this training program. I have observed that there are both similarities and differences with regard to using a digital writer’s notebook compared to using traditional paper-bound notebooks.


Ways in which digital notebooks are similar to print and bound writer’s notebooks.

1. The same conventions of writing are practiced.

When using a digital writer’s notebook for academic purposes, my word choice and the register used when writing remains the same as though I were using a traditional notebook for the same purpose.

2. The option to separate information by creating new blank documents thereafter, adding the relevant information and appropriately labelling them for ease of use and organization. This is similar to using a five-subject book or different notebooks to store information.

In what ways was the process different?

1. Work can be done collaboratively unlike pen-and-paper writing. The real-time capabilities of sitting in the comfort of your own home and working to complete an assignment on a shared document with your colleagues are not something that can be done using traditional materials. Additionally, the editing process is much less tedious than using traditional tools.

2. More distractions. When someone messages you, you receive emails on your device, or social media alerts, these notifications on your computers and tablets can be distracting. This breaks your concentration and interrupts your learning process. Unlike with pen and paper where you are able to focus on the task at hand.





In a blog post entitled DIGITAL WRITER’S NOTEBOOK the author mentions four key benefits of using digital notebooks which I am in agreement with.

1. The ability to access students’ work anytime and anyplace without the hassle of obtaining their physical notebooks.
2. Allowing for continuous and easier assessment of students’ writing
3. Students are more likely to revisit their writing more frequently as they can access them on their devices at home
4. Increasing the frequency of students' published writing. (Sullivan, 2020)

Similar to the author, I also resorted to the use of online learning platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the students I taught had limited access to devices and reliable internet, confining the online interactions to Google Classroom and WhatsApp. However, starting the Department of Teacher Training exposed me to a host of digital media software that has supported me as a learner during the writing process. Using digital media can benefit learners in each step of the writing process.

Easier to publish, where after typing and editing, it can be published right away unlike traditional writing where you would have to convert the written text into a more suitable form for the readers. For example, transferring from a handwritten to a typed version.

Access to more resources when editing. There are so many rules to follow to ensure your writing is grammatically correct, using digital media allows the writer to have access to tools like spell check or Grammarly to aid in the proofreading/editing stages.

Increased use of “text” language
A blurring of the lines between "formal" and "informal" writing where some students are adopting casual language and writing styles when completing formal writing tasks (Purcell et al., 2013). Although students are writing now more than ever with the emergence of technology, the type of writing they engage in most often takes place on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where they often use the informal register. These interactions have shaped the writing styles of some students and they now utilize the same register within their academic writing. According to a blog post on CAPE’s Communication Studies page, the term "register" describes the accepted level of formality connected to various languages. For instance, when speaking face-to-face, the listener can quickly determine the speaker's attitude by observing the speaker's facial expressions, general body language and tone of voice. In writing, this is not possible (CAPE-Communication Studies, 2011). Therefore, to communicate effectively when writing, the writer must employ communication features like the correct use of language register to be considered effective. As a consequence of not being able to distinguish between the type of language needed for formal and informal settings, students have been known to use “text” language consistently when writing their formal assignments which has negatively affected their progress in the writing classroom. Examples of “text language would include misspelt words like “wen” as opposed to “when” or completely omitting words by writing “b4” instead of “before”.

Reliability & Accessibility
Access to digital media, like a digital writer’s notebook is dependent on a few essential factors, one being the battery life of the device being used and the other being the internet. Unlike a traditional notebook which can be accessed an unlimited number of times and its lifespan is determined by the number of pages left in the book and the ink available in the pen, a digital notebook has a higher likelihood of being inaccessible without the right conditions. Although technology is advancing to allow devices to last longer without being recharged, they cannot go uncharged forever. This may be quite inconvenient if one is using their notebook while travelling for example and does not have access to a power source.

Overall, the digital writer's notebook has benefitted me tremendously as a learner. As with all technology, there are benefits and drawbacks. Share your experiences with digital writing notebooks in the comment section.

Until next time,



signing out!

REFERENCES

CAPE-Communication Studies. (2011). Blogspot.com. https://cape-commstudies.blogspot.com/2011/02/language-registers.html

Purcell, K., Buchanan, J., & Friedrich, L. (2013). The impact of digital tools on student writing and how writing is taught in schools. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/07/16/the-impact-of-digital-tools-on-student-writing-and-how-writing-is-taught-in-schools/

Studios, K. (2019). Writer’s notebook: Vintage typewriter a journal for all you budding writers men and women to keep a record of your ideas. Independently Published.

Sullivan, A. (2020). Digital writer’s notebook. Write Solutions. https://www.writesolutions.org/digital-writers-notebook/

What is digital media? All you need to know about new media. (2020). Maryville Online. https://online.maryville.edu/blog/what-is-digital-media/