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July 26, 2019

Ideas For Using Technology To Teach Writing



Today, teaching students how to write has become an onerous task for teachers, as their student load increases year after year. Thanks to technology, tools help to hone effective writing skills that make the whole process of writing a lot easier and fun. And the best part is everyone can avail of this technology.



Using technology in writing

Let’s see how technology helps to teach writing:

#1 Common Core State Standards web tools

Common Core State Standards that provide new writing guidelines are in the process of being applied in most US states. Even before its implementation, useful tech tools, such as StudySync, are already available that teach students writing on the guidelines laid by the Common Core State Standards.

#2 Collaborating on writing projects

Technology makes it easier to collaborate on writing projects. This helps them in exchanging feedback with other students, which proves useful in the writing process. It also enables teachers to chip in since the documents can be shared. Both students and teachers can use collaborative writing with numerous web-based services.

#3 Making grammar easy

Technology makes grammatical principles, dreaded by most students, comfortable since there are hundreds of websites providing grammar tutorials. Some of them even come with exercises and activities to make learning grammar fun for the students. New software being developed is designed to address grammar issues in real-time and help students as they write.    

#4 Using tablets

Today, tablets have been introduced in every classroom, enabling students to share and view what they write. Students can practice grammar, translate writing, work with other students on writing projects, and even use essay writing services by installing apps in the tablets. If a recent study is anything to go by, tablets in classrooms have helped 8% of students to pass a state writing exam and 6% to pass a state reading exam.

#5 Using blogs

Technology makes blogs possible. It encourages students to write for a wider audience and not just for the teacher. Students can avail numerous education-centered blogging sites that allow students to craft web-ready pieces. Students can either write blogs independently or create a classroom blog on a particular topic. The response of readers to blogs works as a great motivating factor for students.

#6 Getting the multimedia experience

Multimedia tools available nowadays help teachers in engaging students, since they combine perfectly with writing assignments. It also allows students to combine videos they have captured or poetry, scripts, etc., they have composed and present them to their teachers. Such tools also help turn the stories written by students into animation. With such a variety of usage, the multimedia experience inspires the students to work harder.

#7 Making writing more practical

Most students don’t like writing because they find it either too dull or not of any use. However, technology in the form of the web is a valuable tool that encourages students to share their writing on online forums in the form of ideas, opinion, suggestions and even critique. Such tools not only facilitate greater student participation but also keeps the boredom element away from writing.

#8 Publishing work

Technology has made it possible for students to publish their works online. Seeing their work published acts as a great motivation for them. The web offers many publication options that teachers can use to promote students’ works. Tools like Zoho Writer and Google (News - Alert) Drive help in turning writing assignments into a webpage and tools like Issuu and Yudu turns them into an e-book or newsletter.

#9 Tracking progress

Teachers can benefit from writing-focused software to monitor the progress of their students from what they have submitted in the form of a paper or assignment. Such tools not only help teachers in tracking students but also provide an easy step-by-step guide in writing, provide feedback throughout and help in publishing. 

Conclusion

Technology has become indispensable in all spheres of life, more so, in academics. Today, more and more educational institutes are using technology in various forms to teach students to write, track their progress and help in publishing their writings. All this in a fun way that students love.



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