Chapter 3 Conferring Through Blogs, Wikis, and Collaborative Word Processors (Hicks)

     I enjoyed reading chapter 3.  You definitely compose more concrete texts, both individually and collaboratively through blogs, wikis, and collaborative word processors.  The writings can be developed through blogs, wikis, and collaborative word processing tools.  Relationships are built through digital writing connections.  Individuals tend to communicate better and effectively through the digital connections.  I feel this is due to distance and comfort.  This allows individuals to freely comment on writings.  I also agree when the author says that digital writing tools enhance the writer's workshop conversation, and allows the writer to do most of the talking and guidance is given through careful questioning and feedback.  Students are eager to use blogs and wikis rather than pencil and paper. 
     Students absolutely need peer collaboration and teacher response.  This builds classroom community.  Children need confidence, learn new strategies, and conversation.  They can build all three of those with digital writing.  The classroom community needs to linger on beyond the school day.  Conversation is an important factor of writing.  The more students collaborate with each other the better their fluency and writing potential will become. 
     Students create needs and artifacts through digital workshop.  It also allows teachers and peers to give constructive feedback.  It is great that all resources are at hand with digital documents.  Editing and revising are more effective when using digital documents.  Most individuals are on the computer everyday anyway.  This form of technology also allows students to generate ideas from peers and teachers.
     Storing all writings in one location is great.  New and old documents can be kept to reflect back on.  The blog sites are also created by multiple bloggers and this enhances ideas, conversation, writing, reading, reflection, and feedback.  Children get to connect with multiple writers and learn of new ideas and techniques. Children are more willing to participate and attempt tasks through online communication.  Children are also exposed to different styles, genres, and forms of writing.
     The wikis invite students and parents to collaborate.  The wikis are a great form of communication with parents and students.  Wikis help students to grow as writers.  Students will become better writers by developing wikis.  Wikis definitely open up discussions and allow editing and collaboration between students, peers, parents, and teachers. The can also generate discussion about specific writing topics. Tracking the writings are a lot quicker with digital documents.