BBC: “Children who use technology are ‘better writers’”
Children who blog, text or use social networking websites have better writing skills than those who do not, according to the National Literacy Trust.
A survey of 3,001 children aged nine to 16 found that 24% had their own blog and 82% sent text messages at least once a month.
In addition 73% used instant messaging services to chat online with friends.
However, 77% still put real pen to paper to write notes in class or do their school homework.
Of the children who neither blogged nor used social network sites, 47% rated their writing as “good” or “very good”, while 61% of the bloggers and 56% of the social networkers said the same.
“Our research suggests a strong correlation between kids using technology and wider patterns of reading and writing,” Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, told BBC News.
Comments
Reading more = better literacy
According to an analysis of research from Stephen Krashen, EL students who read more and listen more learn language better. Reading comprehensible language exposes students to more words, more conventions of language, etc. Hearing language gives students the same advantages. I think it's reasonable to assume that students who write blogs also read blogs, and copy the written conventions and cadences they experience as readers. Fluency grows with repetition, so engaging in the reading/writing process in a social environment should logically build fluency.
Our job as educators is to ensure that students get interactions that involve them reading and listening to academic vocabulary in context!