How Does Technology Affect Student Writing?

Technology has transformed almost all the industries around the globe and education is the one most affected. Also, it has become a huge part of the education system and the way children are taught nowadays. Students no longer have to sit for hours in library reading old dusty books. Now, all the information in the world is just one click/touch away.

Today, young people are more tech-savvier than their parents because technology in education is advancing exponentially. Every now and then, new websites are deployed and applications are developed to help digitise the education sector. From writing lectures to submitting assignments, technological devices have got your back.

Like every other innovation, the internet has its fair share of pros and cons. Here is a list of reasons for how technology has helped students in writing more efficiently over the years.

1 - Saves time

Over 6.08 billion pages of information exist on the internet. Just imagine the sheer amount of information readily available for the user that too just a click away. The information is also organised by the search engines in a way that you will find almost the exact information you were searching for. This process is efficient if used in the right way which will help students save a lot of time.

2 - Proofreading and editing takes less time

Revising proofreading and editing can take a lot of time. They can use this time in much more productive academic uses such as going through the exam content or learning new things about the subject. Proofreading and editing tools can optimise your writing through advanced algorithms. They will identify errors and correct the only requiring approval in the form of a click from you.

3 - Promotes creativity

As students get to learn new stuff on the internet, they grow more curious which is directly linked to increased creativity. Because of the easy access to information, they can learn more than the teacher teaches them. Teachers mostly don’t have the time to explain curious questions students have in-depth. This is where the internet comes in, a student in fifth grade have access to advanced studies; they can compare different stances took by different researchers on topics. With education, internet also enable the students to think creatively. For instance, you can create your own blog about something that excites you. If a person likes to read he can add reviews on their blog about the last book they read. This will enable them to be more expressive and creative.

4 - Students are more thoughtful

The opportunities to collaborate have created more chances to converse with a more diverse audience. Because of the extended audience provided by online writing, students have become more thoughtful and deliberate about what they write. Communication and writing platforms are excellent collaboration booster. These platforms allow students to carry out group projects while being miles away and learn teamwork. This not only improves their writing but also instils the skills that will be useful along with their professional lives. Because their writing is often public, students are more careful that they do not write something inappropriate. This increases their attention to detail which improves their writing overall.

5 - Improves research skills

Instead of notes, students are sending texts and emails, there is so more communication around writing today than there has ever been. As some students may publish a research paper as a blog post to reach wider audience students have to repurpose it for a larger audience allowing them to think in an organised manner and critically read and apply their thinking in ways that just writing for a school or college won’t have allowed them.

6 - Students take shortcuts

Text messages have a real adverse effect on student grammar which hurts their writing skills. Even though students are now writing more frequently they save their efforts and rely on shortcuts, this reduces the quality of their academic writing. As they are more accustomed to shorter forms of writing they struggle a lot when asked to write in longer formats. They don’t structure their writing and therefore write hastily. As they move to the later stages of their education, they suffer because of these shortcuts.

7 - Excessive relying on digital tools

Students rely on word processing programs and spell-check so much that sometimes it even changes their thoughts and words they wanted to say. It is okay to use digital tools but not on the cost of your comprehension. It also takes away the ability of correct speech and revision skills. Unlike most of the students, you can use digital tools to help yourself earn some extra cash. Search and you’ll find that there are some online services where students are willing to pay someone to do your assignment.

8 - Poor vocabularies

As students read all of their stuff on the internet, they don’t get exposure to content published before the 1980s which has a richer vocabulary. This results in poor vocabulary as a lot of the more recent books that they will read, they just don’t have the depth of language. Teachers worry that automated dictionary tools will undermine students’ understanding of and attention to basic writing principles.

9 - Blurred lines between formal and informal writing

Outside the classroom, students text a lot. Their texting lingo has found its way into their academic writings. Teachers who mostly belong to Generation Y are not accustomed to the language of high schoolers and have a difficult time while deciphering their essays. Moreover, the revolutionised world has also changed the way texting used to be. Quite frequently, words like LOL, wby and many more are used by the students.

10 - Shorter attention span

As the instant availability of a lot of information can save time, it has reduced students’ attention spans. Students are struggling to concentrate. As students don’t have to read a lot of information to get to their desired on. Therefore, they don’t enjoy engaging and delving deeper into the subject. As students now don’t want to put that much effort, it’s getting harder to teach them about how to write meaningful content creates an impact.

11 - Reduction in critical thinking capacity

One of the most undervalued thing today is critical thinking. Nowadays, people tend to rely more on the internet and copy-paste method than using their own ability to find the correct solution. However, technology has paved the way for unethical practices like online plagiarism. This prevents the students from cheating the system and creating their own content.

What strategies they must adapt to make the best use of technology in writing?

Unlike the old times where parents, caregivers and even teachers remained in the background while the children and students discovered these technologies, thus exposing the children to the unforeseen dangers. Today, parents and all those involved in the educational process need to get involved in discovering these technologies with the students to make sure that technology improves students’ ability to write rather than hinder it.