conversation with a student

Just finished the following conversation with Barry, a former student in my WRT 235 class.

J: Barry, you took a course with me entitled "Writing in Electronic Environments." How would you define an electronic environment for writing?

B: Ah--uuh--hmm. How about anytime you're using a computer to write?

J: OK, but how would you define it? In terms of space? The spaces where you work? In terms of technologies? The technologies that you use? Socially? In terms of social context?

B: All of those?

J: OK. Hmm.

B: Well, it sort of depends on what you mean by writing, doesn't it? . . .

J: Wow! Great answer! Great question! Thanks, Barry! [Walks away, mumbling: "It depends on what you mean by writing. . ."]

B: Do I get an "A" for that?

---

Great stuff, and a great question from Barry. I think it may be that we ought to focus on the connection Barry offered: how we conceptualize "electronic environments for writing" depends centrally on how we conceptualize writing--and vice versa. So: discussion of "environments" offers a kind of alternate approach to talking about definitions of writing. . .