Is Technology Negatively Affecting Your Student’s Writing Skills?

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As more and more students are spending increasing number of time on their laptops and tablets, they are being less engaged in traditional writing activities. This is making many parents and teachers concerned about the use of technology in learning. Do you think that educational technology is leading to poorer hand writing in today’s students? Let’s Find Out... 

Is Technology Affecting Students’ Writing Skills?

 

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Many education experts believe that modern technological tools in education may be severely affecting the writing skills of students worldwide. But the recent National Writing Project study by the Pew Research Center suggests there is no need to worry about your students writing skills. 

The findings of the report are contrary to the popular belief that technology is creating weaker students who are unable to express their feelings through writing. The researchers have concluded that technology based learning activities offer several benefits to students over the traditional methods. 

The National Writing Project Survey 

 

The Pew Research Center conducted the Advanced Placement and National Writing Project by surveying over 2,400 middle school and high school teachers. The respondents included teachers from all the 50 states and also included the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia as well. Almost 1,750 respondents in the survey were Advanced Placement teachers; whereas 700 respondents were from the National Writing Project. 

The researchers of the study also considered the information gathered from focus groups of high school students as well as high-school and middle-school teachers from November 2011 to February 2012. 

What the Survey Found....

 

Around 78 per cent of the teachers surveyed in the Advanced Placement and National Writing Project believed that the increasing use of the computers, internet and social networks helped in improving personal expression and creativity in students. Almost all of the teachers believe that the internet enables students to share their work faster and wider. Moreover almost 80 per cent of respondents said they think that the social media and the internet have made team work a simpler process for students. By sharing on a platform which provides wider reach; students can get more feedbacks and suggestions which would lead to better writing quality in the long term. 

Technology in the Classroom- Good or Bad?

 

But many other teachers did not agree with this perception. Those opposing the use of technology in the classroom believe that the grades of students are getting affected as a result of all this. 

When teachers were asked to evaluate the performance of their students on particular writing skills, most teachers rated the learners as “fair” or “good”, instead of “very good” or “excellent.” However, most students received excellent grades on their capability to “effectively organise and structure writing assignments.” They also received outstanding ratings on their aptitude to “understand and consider multiple viewpoints on a particular topic or issue.” These students received the poorest ratings in “reading and digesting long or complicated texts” and “navigating issues of fair use and copyright in composition.” 

Is the Study Skewed?

 

Some educators also claim that the National Writing Project research is biased towards instructors to who teach the best students in the nation. Hence the findings of the report reflect their view of education in the US. Some of these education leaders claim that the report does not necessarily represent the reality of all American teachers and schools. 

However, the results of the survey will undoubtedly help us to improve education as these reflect the judgements and observations of teachers from some of the most effective schools that use technology in their classrooms. 

What do you think? Is technology in the classroom good or bad? Do you think tablets, internet and social media is actually affecting the writing quality of our students? Let us know what you feel.... 

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