Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

1. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World September 13, 2013

2. Introductions Rosemary Jean-Louis Web Content Curator/Blogger GPB New Media & Education gpb.org/education gpb.org/blogs/passion-for-learning 404-685-2544

3. gpb.org/education

4. Session Poll What do you read and what device are you using to read “stuff” with?

5. Screen Friendly Content The way content is organized, written and edited has to accommodate multiple screen sizes. *Responsive design

6. Screen Friendly Content • Text must be flexible enough to accompany other digital elements: • Video • Still Images • Slideshows • Infographics

7. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Objectives: Review writing techniques and best practices that can be applied across multiple screens.

8. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Objectives: Review writing exercises that you can apply yourselves and students can apply.

9. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Objectives: Review how to incorporate PBS Learning Media in teaching some of these techniques.

10. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Resource The Yahoo! Style Guide

11. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World • TIP #1 • Construct text for digital reading: • Put most important information/idea first • Keep sentences and paragraphs short • Use clear words for navigation and links

12. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Example Before & After Paragraph BEFORE HOME PAGE: Architronixx, founded by an architect, Jay Pogue, an engineer, Barry Beasley, and a sound engineer, Mari DeHart, was a totally new concept in 1981, when it was founded. The idea - a firm that merged architecture, structural engineering, and acoustics - was brand new. Today, Architronixx is still the leader in the field it pioneered almost three decades ago, and our buildings have garnered praise from national and international authorities...

13. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Example Before & After Paragraph AFTER HOME PAGE : In 1981, Architronixx invented a new concept: buildings that combine innovative architecture, intelligent engineering, and acoustic design. Today, Architronixx is still the leader in the field it pioneered almost three decades ago. Learn more about how our designs work. Walk through our award-winning buildings. Read about our founders.

14. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Suggested Real World Exercise: Choose a text heavy print brochure and have students rewrite and reformat it as a website homepage.

15. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Common Core Standards CCW 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCW 5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

16. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World • TIP #2 • Make Text Scan Friendly: • Write strong, concise headlines • Bold headlines • Use subheadlines that break up text • Bold keywords • Use bulleted and numbered lists

17. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Example Before & After Paragraph BEFORE: Everyone loves a picnic, which makes this deluxe picnic basket set the the perfect gift. You’ll find it’s fully loaded with plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins for four, plus a bread knife, a cutting board, salt and pepper shakers, and a corkscrew. It even comes with a fleece blanket for the family to sit on. Buy it now for only $49.99.

18. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World • Example Before & After Paragraph • AFTER: • This deluxe picnic basket set makes the perfect gift. It’s fully loaded with: • Plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins for four • Bread knife and cutting board • Salt and pepper shakers • Corkscrew • Fleece blanket • Buy it now - $49.99

19. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World TIP #3 Develop and write for different digital styles: Blogs - editorial/opinion writing E-newsletters - Persuasive/marketing writing Emails - Professional/business style writing Articles - “Just the Facts” informational writing

20. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World TIP #4 Write around and to include digital elements: Images - Write clear captions/select appropriate images Videos - Summarize videos you are using

21. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Suggested Real World Exercise #2: Choose a brochure for a product and rewrite it as a blog post, e-newsletter, online article and/or email to a teacher. What would that look like? Common Core Standard: CCW4, CCW5

22. What is PBS Learning Media? gpb.pbslearningmedia.org

23. How do You Access it?: • Sign up, register and login to get full access. • gpb.pbslearningmedia.org • OR gpb.org/education - scroll down to login to it.

24. Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World Questions?

25. Contact Rosemary Jean-Louis Web Content Curator/Blogger GPB New Media & Education gpb.org/education Twitter: @gpbeducation 404-685-2500