How does the word processor influence writing in beginner writers?
Dublin Core
Title
How does the word processor influence writing in beginner writers?
Description
MS Ed: Teaching Literacy
Abstract
In today's age, it is as imperative as ever for children to know how to write and communicate effectively. With the advent of new technologies, it may be that new materials and strategies are needed for achieving these important goals. The purpose of this study is to see whether or not the word processor influences writing skills in children between the ages of 6 and 9. The study is meant to see the differences in the students' writing abilities when what they are using in order to write changes from a pencil and paper to a word processor.
After consent forms and permission forms were sent out and collected, the researcher explained the assent form to the students. The study was conducted over the course of 10 school days during a normal writing period. For the first five days, the students participating in the study were asked to write using a pencil and paper. For days six through ten, the students were given the opportunity to write using the word processor. The majority of topics were self selected by the students. Students filled out feelings chatis on days one and six.
The results from the study were quite compelling. The students enjoyed writing using the word processor. When using the word processor, the noise level in the classroom as well as the classroom dynamic changed. The teachers in the classroom went from being teachers to coaches. The conversations between students and teachers as well as student to student conversations were all about the writing assignment.
With the above results as well as the interest that students have for technology, it seems like a "no-brainer" to use the word processor when writing. When in doubt with writing, try
using the word processor. Using the word processor is influential for the majority of beginning writers because instead of concentrating on letter formation they are able to push a key and know that the letter is going to look the same every time.
After consent forms and permission forms were sent out and collected, the researcher explained the assent form to the students. The study was conducted over the course of 10 school days during a normal writing period. For the first five days, the students participating in the study were asked to write using a pencil and paper. For days six through ten, the students were given the opportunity to write using the word processor. The majority of topics were self selected by the students. Students filled out feelings chatis on days one and six.
The results from the study were quite compelling. The students enjoyed writing using the word processor. When using the word processor, the noise level in the classroom as well as the classroom dynamic changed. The teachers in the classroom went from being teachers to coaches. The conversations between students and teachers as well as student to student conversations were all about the writing assignment.
With the above results as well as the interest that students have for technology, it seems like a "no-brainer" to use the word processor when writing. When in doubt with writing, try
using the word processor. Using the word processor is influential for the majority of beginning writers because instead of concentrating on letter formation they are able to push a key and know that the letter is going to look the same every time.
Creator
Casey, Jennifer Marie
Date Accepted
2012
Contributor
Preskill, Stephen
Frumkin, Rhoda
Zanfini, Mary
Rights
U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this work. It is provided by Wagner College for scholarly or research purposes only. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder.
Is Part Of
Wagner College Electronic Thesis Collection
Format
application/pdf
Extent
45 pages
Language
eng
Type
Text
Identifier
Ed_2012_Casey_How
Collection
Citation
Casey, Jennifer Marie, “How does the word processor influence writing in beginner writers?,” Wagner College Archives and Special Collections, accessed April 24, 2024, https://wagnercollections.omeka.net/items/show/15563.