Blogs/Social Networks/Instant Messaging---Impact on Student Writing Skills

[Sam Liberto]

I noticed years ago that teens are much better typers due to email composition.
Now I am noticing, improved writing skills in connection with Facebook and instant messaging.
Yes there are the abbreviations BTY LOL etc., but as academics we certainly have a lot of our own/

There are some great resources on this topic at Google Scholar (great free resource)

[Ray Jones, III]

Sam, Thanks for the Google Apps and the Google Influence - I agree with you in some ways but many kids still do not have the skills necessary to write effectively - regarding QWERTY (developed by Shoals and made it's way to the popular Remington Typewriters) typing system - there were some other pioneering typewriters that did not make the consumer cut but were way easier in ergonomic performance.

I might also add that kids are also developing their thumb skills with SMS texting as well. On another note, Voice Recognition Software for writing is getting cheaper and better every year - I recently saw David Pogue (NY Times) demonstrating some new VRS products. Typing may be a thing of the past in the near future.

[Julie Lindsay]

In terms of ergonomics I really hope typing becomes a thing of the past in the near future. The older I get the more clumsy I seem to be on the keyboard...and when arthritis finally sets in for good I am going to be very dissatisfied with the brain being way faster than the hands!
So, in other words, yes, I agree, coping with keyboarding is one obstacle to writing fluency, however this supports the argument for 'teaching' keyboarding....or does it? I tend to think there are far more interesting and exciting things to be doing in a class, for a unit of work, than developing keyboarding skills, but then where and when are they developed. Do we also need to have 'thumbing' classes as well? Standards and benchmarks for interactivity with computing devices....let's ask Diana if we can include these?

[Julie Lindsay]

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively comes from the need to convey a message, a story, a complaint etc. Because students are now producers of information and regular communicators (as opposed to our/my generation of passive TV viewers) their skills in communicating can only be improved. For myself, I blog to help develop my own ability to communicate through text and other multimedia. Sometimes my blog posts are mundane, meaningless drivel.....other times I think maybe I have been lucid and erudite. Through writing and reflection I am learning to understand the difference in my own writing styles and to appreciate good writing from others. This can only be true from our students perspective as well?

[Sam Liberto]

Let's leave keyboarding out of this. it's really a forum on writing skills. In this regard it is very true that students are writing more than ever before (email, Facebook, Messaging) but I see very little correlation to improved writing. Honestly. I think from a communications POV it's great, but from a structured composition focus, there's little connect. And that's OK because it was never meant to be.

[Mona Younes]

Hello,

Yes, you are pretty right in that assumption... during my research for the Masters project, I came across this dissertation it is the proof of what you are saying.

Al-Salem, S. A. (2005, August). The Impact of the Internet on Saudi Arabian EFL Females' Self-image and Social Attitudes. Unpublished PhD. Thesis, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Wow, that was interesting to read

mona