Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

Skills for special librarians include focused writing in the age of technology and an ever-expanding information universe. With technology and devices competing for our attention, we must be disciplined as we focus on each task and activity, setting aside uninterrupted time to write.

Here are some ways to focus on writing. Whether it’s a writing project you’ve been putting off or perhaps a memo you need to write that recommends new software for your information center, be disciplined and schedule writing time without all that distracting technology and social media.

Improving writing skills ranks as one of the most common pursuits teachers encourage in their students, even in the digital age. That’s because teachers know solid writing ability is so much more than just writing stellar essays and book reports, or becoming the next big name in fiction. More importantly, it’s about improving communication, mastering self-expression, and exercising the creative voice inherent in all learners.

Stories and narratives that touch us emotionally have power to transform us. When hearing a moving speech, story or talk, we feel that it is delivered effortlessly but we know it doesn’t happen on its own.

Rather than an act of domination, a good argument can be "an invitation to collaborate, to reason together and, perhaps, to find and inhabit common ground," writes Notre Dame English professor John Duffy. This issue will look at how teachers, in all subject areas, are helping students approach argument writing with a sense of inquiry—generating relevant theses or claims that are supported with clear reasoning and vetted evidence. Use the many tools and activities in this issue to help your students judge and deliver sound arguments.

Some say good writing can’t be taught. We beg to differ. Here are 25 surefire ways to boost your skills and become a master of communication. 1. Learn more verbs. Verbs are one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s toolbox. Consider the following sentence, from Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek: “If you... Read More

One of these skills is, writing. Writing helps one to reflect and to clarify ideas which may otherwise be transient and consequently lost to the learner. Writing helps one to make sense of our experiences, our learning and how one can best relate the learning experience to the world outside the classroom.  In many ways, the act of writing, of reflecting, is learning by doing - something all learners need to have experience of. 

Key to communicating your research successfully is having the right messaging. This will give you the best chance of capturing the attention of important stakeholders, while also ensuring all members of your research team are singing from the same song sheet. Kevin Anselmo offers some pointers on how to put together your message map; beginning with your overarching theme, building up your handful of jargon-free key messages, and supporting these with a mix of stories, data, metaphors, and eye-catching statements.

Helen Kara responds to our previously published guide to writing abstracts and elaborates specifically on the differences for conference abstracts. She offers tips for writing an enticing abstract for conference organisers and an engaging conference presentation. Written grammar is different from spoken grammar. Remember that conference organisers are trying to create as interesting and stimulating an event as they can, and variety is crucial.

What’s the secret to a productive spell of writing? Chris Smith shares insights gleaned from interviews with a diverse group of academics, from which a number of common academic writing habits stood out. These range from the simple acts of scheduling and setting self-imposed deadlines, to both formal and informal accountability partnerships and the use of “freewriting” techniques which help authors write their way out of blocks.

Looking for a guide for writing perferct eLearning Scripts? Read this article to discover 7 Best Practices For Writing eLearning Scripts.