Analysis and reflections drawn upon the reading of the essay by Kiefer (2007) titled ‘Do students lose more than they gain in online writing classes? – The Response Paper to the essay as derived upon its reading and its critical review
[The author’s name]
Abstract
This paper will present you with a response paper upon the reading of the essay written by Kiefer in 2007 on the subject of online writing. Kiefer has written an essay exploring the aspects of the field of online education. Online Writing classes are an aspect of online education. The Response paper will present you with the personal reflections and conclusions drawn upon the reading of this essay.
Key Words: Online writing classes, physical presence, interaction
Analysis and reflections drawn upon the reading of the essay by Kiefer (2007) titled ‘Do students lose more than they gain in online writing classes? – The Response Paper to the essay as derived upon its reading and its critical review
Online writing classes are classes designed for students who wish to enjoy the merits of writing without their physical presence in a class. There has been lots of heated debate within the educational field regarding the innovative approach of online learning. Both learners and educators seem to have been divided into two main groups. There are those who believe that online learning has more benefits rather than shortcomings when it is compared to the traditional learning style performed within classes. However, there are also those who seem to question the benefits of online learning since they seem to believe in the great significance of physical presence of students.
This paper will present you with my personal response to an essay written by Kate Kiefer on the topic of online writing classes. Kate Kiefer seems to question the benefits of online writing classes. She seems to believe that online writing classes have more disadvantages rather that advantages. The title of her essay is a rhetorical question that raises lots of concern as far as the benefits of the learners are concerned. Kate Kiefer appears to be experiencing lots of second thoughts on the issue of online learning classes. She questions the necessity of online writing classes. Last but not least, she seems to devote her thought and research findings on the nature of writing. Kate Kiefer has written an essay that tries to shed light on the best way to teach writing. She explores the nature of writing and researches the best applicable ways to teach writing. Taking all research findings into consideration, Kate Kiefer expresses her doubt on the quality of the learning outcome of such classes.
This response paper is designed in such a way so as to present you with both the reasons why I agree with Kate Kiefer and the feelings and thoughts generated by her essay.
In my opinion, writing is a personal procedure that can be experienced by people, provided that they have decided themselves to explore their ability and inner talent to express themselves and depict their feelings in words. It takes a good reader in order to give birth to a good writer. If reading and writing are to be considered in an allegorical meaning the ‘heads’ and ‘tales’ of human existence, then it is easily perceived that there has been an interactive, ongoing relationship between reading and writing. No one can become a good writer unless he /she has been a good reader as well and vice versa.
Taking this personal principle into consideration, I can realize how it is possible for writing to be taught. Writing is a procedure that leads people to get to know themselves better and explore their inner way of thinking. As a result, writing is the procedure that is taught to people through their being encouraged and guided to become familiar with themselves.
In my opinion writing is the outcome of an ongoing interactive relationship. So, I totally agree with Kate Kiefer who emphasizes on the fact that writing asks for a limited number of students so that a close relationship between students and the tutor can be built. In addition, Kiefer emphasizes on the top priority of written texts to be studied in full, to be explored within the atmosphere of a cooperation and exchange of ideas between students and the teacher. This is why I agree with Kiefer on the importance of physical presence. Physical presence allows students to widen and build their relationships. On the contrary, online writing limitates learners to exchange ideas and go deep in the meaning of a text, within the limited frame of an online educational environment. There specific norms and rules of an online educational environment that do not allow students to broaden their horizons and their relationship with their learning objective.
Conclusion
According to Kate Kiefer, online learning demands for lots of research to be performed so that all ICT educational appliances are used to the common wealth. Both educators and learners seem to have a long way in front of them before they become literate of all computer appliances in the educational field. There is a specific factor as well that ought to be taken into serious consideration. The gender and the cultural background of learners have proven to affect the way that online educational tools can prove to be of benefit. I totally agree with Kate Kiefer who seems to have looked into the real problem of online writing classes. The way that online writing classes have been designed up today seems to lack into seriousness and ability to have taken all factors affecting learning.
Kate Kiefer supports that online writing asks for a close bond between the critical review of each writing text, the acceptance on behalf of writers / learners who ought to be free of any prejudice and / or lack of patience and the cooperation between learners and teachers. As a result, I could not agree more with Kiefer’s conclusion since I strongly believe that writing is a unique, personally independent way for people to pave their own route in life. Therefore, it is of crucial importance that people have realized the significance of their physical and spiritual commitment.
References
Alberdeston, J. Guidelines for Effective Response Essays. 2009 derived from http://upraenglishhonors.blogspot.com/2009/09/guidelines-for-effective-response.html
Cahill, Kathleen. Writing a Reaction or Response Essay. LEO: Literacy Education Online. April 6, 1999 derived from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/reaction.html
Kiefer, K. , 2007. Chapter 8: Do students lose more than they gain in online writing classes? In Brave New Classrooms (pp. 141-151). Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.
Sartre, Jean Paul ‘No Exit’ 1943, derived from http://archive.org/stream/NoExit/NoExit_djvu.txt
