Teaching the iGeneration- ch. 2

     Chapter two in this book is Writing Open Letters to World Leaders.  This chapter talks about the importance of being heard and this generation has so many opportunities to present information that students need to be taught about all of this.  Chapter two lays out several strategies for introducing written persuasion to students that teachers can use.  One main aspect they look at is that of blogging and how this can be used to elevate student voice.  This chapter is helpful by walking students through the process of creating an online open letter to a world learder addressing a controversial issue.  To get students involved and familiar with blogs it might be a good idea to set up a classroom blog.  With setting up a classroom blog the students will become familiar with how to put content out on the web and create important messages that they will share and will be read by others.  It is also important to encourage students to read other blogs so they become familiar with interactive forums and how they can continue conversations around topics of interest.  An emphasis to focus on with the students is that anything they write plays a role in their credibility.  Publishing online is so easy and most approach it with a careless attitude they need to be taught that anything written and published should be of quality work.  Blogging projects can take time and might take a while for students to become comfortable and produce work that you like, but it is a great way to encourage them to get their thoughts and opinions out their and learn how to write about topics they are interested in.