Student's own voice

I feel that it is important to use some sort of online discussion, in any class, to ensure students are constantly engaged in the topic at hand.  By meeting only so many times a week, there is alot of down time where a student isn't even thinking about the content that is being addressed in a class.  By setting up a blog assignment, students will be critically thinking about specific readings throughout the year/semester.  Wilber writes in his chapter three, “Perhaps the most powerful use of a blog is in development of a student’s own voice as a writer and thinker” (49).  I found this to be extremely important especially at the high school level.  I remember being told throughout high school that this is how I should write in order to get an A.  I remember only elaborating on the theories that my teacher may have mentioned in a class discussion and that was all.  So when I arrived at SRU, I was mortified to have to come up with a solid paper that included my own ideas supported by scholarly writers.  I had only been doing, writing, and reading what I was told.  I was not given a chance to develop my own voice as a writer and thinker, and wished that some of my high school teachers forced us to join in on class discussions through technology, outside of the classroom, such as blogs.  I completely agree with what Wilder has to say, and believe that all teachers should embrace technology as a way to engage their students on the class curriculum outside of the limited class time.  Every person needs time to mull over a certain theory and idea to mold it into their own, so why not use technology to ensure that the student is constantly learning through regular critical thinking.