Title

Teaching the Internet as Text

Authors

Eric Rettberg, Illinois Mathematics and Science AcademyFollow

Streaming Media

Document Type

Conference Paper/Presentation

Conference

Presented at the NCSSS 2022 Professional Conference

Publication Date

11-3-2022

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Education

Abstract

In contrast to models that treat the internet as repository of texts, this talk argues that English Language Arts classrooms benefit from treating the internet itself as a complex cultural text worth analyzing in student writing and discussion. I describe a recurring blog assignment that lets students write about contemporary topics they genuinely care about with authentic purpose: to teach classmates, to respond to classmates, to solve genuine cultural mysteries. While the blog assignment was developed first for a class focused on digital culture and electronic literature, I finally argue that the approach to students work it takes can inform and invigorate the work of a wide variety of Languages Arts classrooms, especially those in NCSSS consortium schools.

Recommended Citation

Rettberg, Eric, "Teaching the Internet as Text" (2022). Faculty Publications & Research. 27.
https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/eng_pr/27