Digital Doom? 3 Effects of Texting and Tweeting on Students’ Writing Skills

Internet and cell phone cultures have brought a whole new meaning to American slang. Not only are kids these days speaking informally, but now those relaxed rules of grammar are sneaking into written words too.

This is probably not surprising at all, but do you know just how much this culture has affected our students’ writing skills? Fortunately, I have three research-backed results to show you.

1. Students can no longer tell the difference between formal and informal writing: The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life project asked middle and high school educators about their thoughts on digital tools and the impact on student writing. The biggest problem with these digital avenues of composition, according to surveyed teachers, is the blurring of lines between formal and informal writing. Abbreviations are common, particularly on platforms like Twitter that have a 140-character limit. Most smartphones now have no limits on texting characters, but students that owned phones with the 160-character limits of just a few years ago have already formed short, abbreviated habits. In the digital realm, short and sweet is the key – even if a grammar, punctuation and writing formalities fall by the wayside. The same is not true of educational writing pursuits though, as K-12 writing instructors must prepare students for the demands of strong, professional writing in college and the workplace.

2. But at least they are more creative: Over two-thirds of the respondents said that writing platforms provided through Internet and cell phone use have improved student creativity. Students also have more outlets for collaboration which encourages improvement and “putting it out there” in terms of writing that may have been closeted to notebooks or diaries in pre-Internet generations.

3. Even after graduating college, young adults cannot write. A report released by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills found that over 26 percent of college graduates have deficient writing skills. These findings were not based on graduation assessment exams, but compiled by interviewing actual employers. These employers said that many college-educated employees could not even accomplish the basic writing tasks of the job proficiently. How are these students earning college degrees if their writing is not up to par though? With the average U.S. student accruing $35,200 in college debt, it would seem learning the basics of writing, at least above a “deficient” level, would be a given takeaway.

The deficiency is not the fault of the colleges and universities though, at least not totally. Students are showing up for college without the skills needed to write well and with schools assuming they already know the basics. The 2011 book Academically Adrift found that less than half college students felt their writing had improved at all in college. Less than half also said they were never required to write a paper longer than 20 pages. In a nutshell, the writing proficiency that half of these students exhibited as seniors in high school was the same four years later, despite the so-called rigors and high cost associated with a college education.

While colleges could certainly take a hint from these numbers, the work of remedial writing education is not the responsibility of colleges. It falls on the teachers that come long before the adult years. These teachers face an uphill battle though, especially in an age where formal writing is often confused with everyday communication. The tools for creativity in the writing process may be better than ever, but the constraints of digital communication are hurting students’ composition and their attention spans too.

How can students who have essentially made a lifestyle of short, segmented, slang-ridden writing conform to the formal communication still expected in the real world? It starts with teachers who set high standards and do not waver. In the long run, the fear of losing a student’s interest by insisting on high writing standards is a small one compared to the implications of college graduates viewed as writing-deficient by the people who sign their paychecks.

How can K-12 teachers win out against the negative impact of digital communication on formal writing? Please share your thoughts.

10 Ways that Edtech is Transforming Education

Technology has greatly impacted the way we do things—from how we shop for basic necessities to how we conduct business with people around the world. It’s no wonder that technology has altered education, too. In fact, here are 10 ways that edtech has changed education.

Communication

Through email and text messages, teachers communicate with parents and students faster and easier. Teachers can send out homework reminders, progress reports, and assignments with the touch of a button. The increased level of communication helps parents stay informed about their children’s schooling and students stay informed on what assignments are due.

Differentiated Instruction

Teachers need to figure out how to serve students on multiple levels of understanding. Differentiated instruction is difficult and time-consuming. However, it’s necessary to challenge advanced students and aid struggling ones. Edtech assists with differentiated instruction through software programs and mobile applications. Many of these programs have multiple levels to help cater to each student’s needs.

Classroom Inclusion

Speaking of serving each student, teachers must meet the needs of students with IEPs. When students with learning disabilities spend time in a mainstream class, teachers need to figure out how to include them in the lesson. How can they do this? Through technology. For example, if it’s difficult for students to listen to lectures, they can watch a video or play a learning game that can teach them the information. If a student has a hard time writing on their own, they can use technology to record their notes. Technology opens up a wide range of options for accommodations that teachers can utilize in their lessons.

Interactive Lessons

One of the best ways to prevent classroom management issues is through creating engaging activities. Technology unlocks a wide range of interactive possibilities. Tablets, laptops, and computers in the classroom are just the beginning. Higher education institutions also use robotics, 3D printing, virtual reality, and wearable technology. As these and other advances become more readily available, elementary and secondary schools will have access to new technology that can make lessons more interactive and engaging for students.

Connectivity

Before the Internet and email, students wrote letters to pen pals from around the world. Then, they waited weeks or months to hear back from them. Now, students email their pen pals and connect with them on social media sites. Better yet, they talk to them face-to-face through programs like Skype and Google Chat. This can be a great way to open students’ eyes to other cultures and ideas.

Video Streaming

Videos make ideas come alive. It’s one thing to teach students about how a volcano erupts, but it’s better to show them a volcano erupting. With YouTube, TED Talks, and other online resources, there are thousands of videos available to share. These videos enhance lessons and deepen students’ understanding.

Collaboration

Through the Internet, teachers and students can connect more than ever before. Websites like Teachers Pay Teachers even allow teachers to share their ideas, lesson plans, worksheets, and more with one another. With the amount of resources available, it’s unnecessary for teachers to spend as much time creating new material to use in the classroom. Then, teachers can spend more time on continuing education opportunities, which are also available online.

Distance Learning

No longer do students need to ever set foot on campus to receive their education. Through technology, students can take classes anywhere with an Internet connection. This is true for elementary school students through college students. They can even attend an online high school with instructors or collaborate with classmates from around the world.

Resource Accessibility

Technology offers electronic books, mobile applications, and lots of other resources that schools can purchase at a lower cost. Schools have greater flexibility in the resources they choose, and they can easily update them throughout the years, as needed.

Student Motivation

Students are growing up with the need for instant gratification. They want immediate results, which technology can provide. As an added bonus, learning and mastering technology can also build students’ self-esteem.

Education technology is constantly evolving and we need to be able to evolve with it.

Why one Mississippi district ditched textbooks for laptops

Superintendent says new technology improving academics, behavior

Kiara McPherson and Jeremiah Hilliard, two students at Em Boyd Elementary, work on a science project. Students say they prefer the iPads to the desktop computers that they used to use in class.
Two student at Greenville’s Em Boyd Elementary, work on a science project on an iPad. Districts across Mississippi, like Greenville and Columbus, have adopted technology programs in classrooms. Photo: Jackie Mader

When Philip Hickman took over the role of superintendent in 2014 in the Columbus Municipal School District in east Mississippi, technology was almost nonexistent. Students used slow desktop computers and mismatched keyboards that were at least 10 years old. Hickman, who formerly worked as an assistant superintendent for the technology-rich Houston Independent School District in Texas, said he panicked when he saw the state of technology. “It was inappropriate to even present that to our kids,” Hickman said. “It was very scary to realize we were not preparing our kids for the future.”

Hickman decided to infuse the district with digital devices in an attempt to boost opportunity for students. Just a few weeks after he took the helm, he returned nearly $900,000 worth of textbooks the previous superintendent had ordered. He used that money to buy enough laptops and iPads for every high school student to have their own device, and for every elementary and middle school student to have access to a device in their classroom.

Initially, Hickman said, this move caused an uproar in the community. “A lot of people were very upset that their children were not coming home with textbooks,” Hickman said. “They were saying kids weren’t learning.”

Hickman was slowly able to get the community on board as he spoke to families and teachers about the importance of preparing students for a global society where technology use is inevitable. He organized professional development for teachers and provided coaches to help teachers learn about and roll out technology in classrooms. “When [students] grow older, they’re going to be utilizing technology, it’s going to be a main part of what they do,” Hickman said. “One of our responsibilities is to really prepare that 21st century child.”

Hickman said he has seen academic performance and attendance increase and behavioral problems decrease. (Test score data is not yet available from the past year). More students than ever before are participating in dual enrollment with two local colleges, in part, Hickman said, because they now have more access to college and career information and understand the importance of college readiness to achieve their career goals. (A recent report from Bellwether Education Partners suggested that personalized learning, like the program in Columbus, is especially promising for rural students because they can access more courses and opportunities like dual enrollment). “No matter what background our kids come from, they deserve [opportunity] like everyone else,” Hickman said.

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Read more about Mississippi.