Casanave Ch 3 for 2/4

2. Should we be using different terms for different modes of making meaning? What are some terms that you believe are useful to you in your own experiences and contexts?

8. What problems with various forms of digital technologies for writing and project work do you believe have not yet been solved? How serious do you believe these problems are? What solutions can you suggest?

Page 72, Wolff justifies a more general definition of web-based writing by saying it “plays a role in the creation of meaning.” While I think his categories of web-based writing are thought provoking, his definition of writing as creating meaning seems a little too wide to be implemented in a second language writing class well. I believe “expression” is a better term for creating meaning. Expression can involve creating meaning through written content in the traditional sense or it can involve how things are written, spatially placed, combined with images, etc. I think of a parallel between speaking and singing. Singing could be argued to convey meaning in a way that just speaking could not. Though the analogy is oversimplified and has serious flaws, it stands that singing isn’t part of what is taught in a second language oral skills class. Music/choir is a modality students can choose to explore more if they like in a separate class-- though web-based writing should be emphasized more than music as it’s more of a necessity for all students, it’s a form of expression that potentially could be addressed in a different class for L1 and L2 students alike.



I think one of the biggest issues with technology-based project work is that it’s often poorly-executed and there aren’t many answers on how to improve this. From the second language classes I’ve taken, technology-based projects were always met with a collective sigh from the class. The use of the technology wasn’t taught, so students either felt overwhelmed trying to figure it out or bored using technology they were already familiar with. Some more thoughtful planning and execution of these projects needs to be implemented rather than simply adding a poorly explained technology-based project into the semester’s curriculum.