How do we encourage our students to put pen to paper and log in the requisite time to develop their writing chops? The answer is to make writing fun.
One way is to let students write collaboratively. "Collaboration not only draws on the expertise and energy of different people but can also create an outcome that is greater than the sum of its parts." (1).
Some of the positive outcomes allocated to collaborative writing are socialization, creation of new ideas, and more understandable, if not more effective outcomes/products.
Yet, when observing students work on a shared document, it often seems each group member works on a different part of the document. It may be the case that tools normally used were designed for individual writing.
Although synchronous writing tools have been available for many years, it is only recently that they have become mainstream.
In my talk I will share tips and tricks on how to promote successful collaborative writing. I will focus on a cool tool named Storyjumper.
Although most users harness this tool as a classical tool for students to write stories or books with, both individually as well as collaboratively, I used it as a platform to summarize a semester-long project-based language learning process (PBLL).
My biggest discovery was how to best use it in combination with ZOOM lessons. The tool is user-friendly, rich, and diverse. I will share the outcome of my student`s work and discuss potential uses for this tool in different teaching areas.