First generation college studentFirst generation college student

Writing Tools

All writing tools can be used as graded or ungraded assignments. Click on the column header for instructions on specific tools.

Tool

What is its purpose?

Why would it be useful as a part of the learning experience? How difficult is it to use?

Blogs
Post thoughts about topic and have time-based interactions

Sharing ideas about a topic and receiving feedback.

Elicits collaboration, discussion, reflection, and connection to class community

Students receive and respond to peer and instructor comments

Medium for students; medium to grade or track class and individual student use.
Discussion Board
Threaded discussions on a topic that allow conversations to flow by topic rather than by time posted
Discussing a major topic, theme, question, unit, or chapter.

Allows for more social participation, classroom community development, and continuity between class sessions

Better for answering questions and challenging all students to express their opinions or apply learning to new situations

Medium for students to use; hard to track individual student use and grade, but easy to track class use.

Journal
Private interaction, with only instructor and individual student able to access

Gauge individual student comprehension or receive feedback about student experiences.

Allows better understanding of the student's goals, personal growth, problem-solving skills, perspective, values, or ideals

Easy for students to use; easy to track student use and grade.
Wiki
Collaborative Writing

Collaborative writing of information about a topic. Can be edited by all users as necessary.

Create a vocabulary list or glossary of terms that students can define and edit, then study and review

Students can share links to tools or resources that they find useful and encourage peer review

Medium to hard for students to use; hard to track class and individual student use, but easy to grade.

Glossary
List important terms and definitions

Reviewing key terms and ideas unique to a course. Create a vocabulary list of terms that students can use as reference tool or study guide for review

Easy for students and instructors to use.

If you have further questions about which tool to use, please contact Instructional Technology at (512) 313-4017.