Use Technology to Develop Writing Proficiency

Benefits of Technology

The process of writing is enhanced by digital technology in multiple ways. Students are motivated to use technology.  Using computers and iPads to create stories, reports, speeches, and presentations make it more exciting and easier for students.   Students do not enjoy the revision and editing processes of writing.  Digital technologies make it easier for students to revise and edit.  Students no longer feel like they have to start over.  Technology enables students to delete, add, and move information quickly and effectively.  This process encourages students to write more, think more, research more, and change more so they are creating higher-quality writings.  

Technology has made writing more meaningful to students.  Students feel that their ideas and thoughts are important when they get to publish their writings on the internet.  Students begin to realize that they have a voice.  

Using technology makes the writing process faster and easier for all students.  They are able to research, take notes, and write at the same time.  Students have access to search sites that are specific to their reading levels and that contain accurate, credible information.  Students also have access to sites with interactive graphic organizers, maps, and outlines such as Creately, Inspiration, and Graphic Organizer Interactives.  These interactives enable students to save, organize, add, and delete their information effectively and efficiently.
Technology improves the writing process for students with writing disabilities.  Students who have a difficult time with handwriting, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization have a difficult time organizing their flow of information.  Word processing enables these students to write more freely, focusing on content and expression instead of getting bogged down with conventions.  Software such as word-completion programs and speech-recognition programs and digital storytelling allow students with disabilities to become successful writers when their writing abilities do not match their higher speaking and thinking abilities.

Benefits of Students Publishing Their Writings on the Internet 

When students publish their writings on the internet they get to share their work with a large audience.  They develop a voice.  They become powerful distributors of ideas and information.  Students can express their opinions about books and influence other readers by doing book reviews.  They can also share their imaginations through narrative writing or knowledge and opinions through expository and persuasive writing.  
Getting the chance to view other students' writings allows students to learn from each other and become better writers. Students get feedback from others.  The feedback they receive and give starts meaningful conversations.  Students learn to find multiple pieces of evidence to support their information and opinions.  They also learn how to manipulate sentence structure and information to clarify meaning.  Using the opportunities to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate their writings and their classmates writings promotes higher order thinking skills. 

Issues with Students Publishing Their Writings on the Internet

Teachers must take the time to provide their students with the knowledge of how to correctly navigate the internet, word process, use Web 2.0 applications, and find and use credible information.  Students must develop these multiliteracies to be effective writers and bloggers.  Some educators think that this takes away from the writing process.  Educators must realize that publishing writings and blogging isn't about technology.  It's about reading and writing.  The more students read and write the better readers and writers they will become.  Multiliteracies such as media literacy, the skills to access, evaluate, and create written language with graphics and text, and information literacy, the ability to find, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information, enhances reading and writing processes.  These literacies enable our students to become successful 21st century thinkers.

  

Teachers and Students Use Blogs

Teachers can use blogs to share information with students and family members.  Teachers can post information about events, share tips for literacy and content areas, build book lists for at-home reading, and post homework.

Students can use blogging to communicate with their literature circles, journal, take notes, publish stories, ask questions, and receive feedback. 

Benefits of Student Blogging

Students receive numerous literacy benefits when they get the opportunities to blog.  Blogging makes writing a purposeful, real-world experience for young writers.  Blogs create a 2-way form of communication.  Students get to share their work with their peers and families.  When students post writings they quickly receive feedback from their teacher, peers, and family members.  The discussions help them to learn how to clarify their thoughts and ideas through written expression.  Students work together to build their knowledge.  They can read posts, quote posts, and link posts.  Blogging makes it easy for students to revise and edit their writings.  Class blogs keep all of the students' writings archived.  This allows students, teachers, and family members to see and monitor progress.  Parents can see exactly what their students need extra support with.  It also enables students to go back, after they have become more proficient writers, and improve their writings.