The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century This assignment requires you to critically reflect on the concept of ‘writing’ in the 21st century, through considering current views on what constitutes writing in today’s primary classroom and the potential pedagogic implications raised for practitioners when supporting students’ writing development.
Writing in schools has changed dramatically of the last decade. It is no longer just about learning how to spell and create written texts on The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century paper, it is about teaching and learning how to create texts using a range of available resources. It involves producing texts on paper, orally, and electronically, that employ one mode (eg written or spoken or visual) or multiple modes to convey a message to an audience.
According to the NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum: English K-10 syllabus (2016, p. 23):
… ‘composing’ is the activity that occurs as students produce written, spoken or visual The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century texts. Composing typically involves:
• shaping, making and arranging textual elements to explore and express ideas, emotions
and values
• processes of imagining, drafting, appraising, reflecting and refining
• knowledge, understanding and use of the language forms, features and structures of texts.
Drawing on a minimum of five recent readings (last 10 years; articles, chapters and books), discuss and critically appraise the above statement. In your The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century essay, reflect on insights gained about what writing looks like in a 21st century classroom and for learners in 2018. In addition, discuss the potential pedagogic implications for you as a practitioner.
In order to complete this assignment you need to:
– reflect on what ‘writing’ looks like and what the act of ‘writing’ involves for learners in today’s classrooms and, in turn, consider the implications for teachers’ professional practices if they are to adequately meet the needs of their 21st century learners.
– engage with at least FIVE recent readings, that are either articles, chapters, books and no older than 10 years, to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of ‘writing’ in the 21st century and to examine discussions on the teaching of writing in contemporary classrooms. These readings do not all have to come from the ‘Suggested reading’ list.
– reference either the English K-10 document (Board of Studies NSW, 2016) or the Australian English Curriculum v3.0 (ACARA), to support your discussion.
– use these readings to develop your thinking, and write your essay based on your critical engagement with the ideas and debates presented in the literature. A suggested structure is presented below:
Introduction: state what the essay is going to address (from the essay topic above), and preview what your points are going to be in relation to your discussion and reflections. The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century
Discussion: draw on your reading to discuss what is considered as ‘writing’ in classrooms in the 21st century, what teaching and learning of writing is like in classrooms and some possible implications arising for teaching writing in today’s primary classrooms.
Summary: reiterate what the essay has covered and what were your reflections and arguments in relation to the essay topic.
– present your work professionally, ensuring you demonstrate an appropriate level of academic literacy. Use APA 6th style for in-text citations and referencing. The Learning Guide provides a range of links and suggestions to help you with this.
– check spelling, vocabulary choice, grammar (wording of sentences, correct tense etc.) and punctuation. The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century
– proofread your essay before you submit your work.
– submit to Turnitin and redraft if necessary before your final submission to Turnitin and hard copy into your tutor’s assignment box..
Assessment criteria
1. Discusses insights gained about what constitutes a piece of ‘writing’ or text in today’s primary classroom
2. Reflects on the concept of ‘writing’ as it relates to teaching and learning in a primary classroom
3. Discusses how teaching and learning involves create texts using multiple modes
4. Discusses how texts are produced using a variety of resources and tools
5. Critically appraises insights and ideas presented in above criteria (1-4) The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century
6. Discusses pedagogic implications for current teachers
7. Presents potential pedagogic implications for pre-service teachers in their future role as teachers
8. Draws on a minimum of FIVE recent academic references, either articles, chapters and/or books and no older than 10 years;
9. Uses APA referencing style for citations and reference list
10. Presents work professionally, using appropriate and clear academic writing in 12 point font, double spaced and within the word limit.
Examples of assignment 1
Past exemplars/excerpts of assignments can be found in the assessment folder on the Unit’s vUWS site. The Concept of Writing in the 21st Century
Assessment Standards
