Results of Word Processing Programs and Writing Software on Students’ Writing Ability
Introduction
Mixed reactions have since emerged in researches conducted to recognize the consequences of word processing programs and computer writing software on students’ writing capabilities. Some studies have shown positive effects towards making use of computer word processing programs. On the other hand, others have indicated barely minimal difference in instances when the programs or software are employed by students (Swan 4). This paper will in effect establish if word processing programs and computer skill can either sharpen and sometimes even weaken college student’s skills that are writing.
Today, computer word processing programs have eased the editing process of correcting spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes and sentence punctuations. Some latest word processors are even able place in text citations on student research papers Similarly, computer writing software are able to correct the mistakes and check for plagiarism of researched work. The advantages that include word processors and these computer writing software would therefore definitely outweigh the negative impacts on students’ writing capabilities.
Among the list of disadvantages of word processing programs and writing software that weaken students’ knowledge on paper are; first, your message processing escalates the odds of certain errors that are spellingNoel 106). Word processors causes unwanted modifications while spellchecking some errors leading to some misspelt words or confused words (Noel 106). In relation that, students often believe word processors are always correct in spelling hence leaning more erroneous spellings from them. This in turn results in more students having a complete lot of spelling errors in their typed or written work.
Secondly, computers tempt to substitute a person’s writing for thinking. The complete essence of writing is to add up to a particular audience with a particular intension (Grow 218). As Grow observes;
If they write with a pc, as opposed to rethinking their drafts for purpose, audience, content, strategy, and effectiveness, most untrained writers just keep editing the words they first wrote down (p.219).
This results university students handing in write-ups that do not sound right or without any proper flow of ideas.
Another disadvantage is the fact that expressed word processors in computers enhances more of collaborative writing (Grow 218). In a collaborative writing, different write may not have the exact same ideas about tone, punctuation and even rhythm of their sentences. In that case, some type of computer collaborative jot down by college students often try not to make much meaning because of variations as to how different writers put down their point (Ling 25). The end result is a write up with just minimal flow of ideas from a single writer to another which limits students from expressing their writing skills in group work which require a writing that is collaborative.
Among the factors that are limiting word processors is that it becomes very difficult for writers to get an overview of their work (Grow 220). This is because word processors barely display significantly more than twenty four lines of words at an instant. This creates a sense that is no clear of hence writers end up with partially expressed ideas or recurrence of ideas.
While the usage of word processors produces a well presented write ups, it limits the students’ power to improve to their hand written work. The emergence of computer era has affected greatly students handwriting that is. Students are used to typing their work on computers rather than putting them on pen and paper, the results is a poorly presented hand written work today. (Ling 76). Hand writing is vital for student in putting across a hand written idea. Hence a write up not well written limits student writing capability.
On the other hand, the only mentionable disadvantage of computer writing softwares is that, existence of varied softwares does not have a substandard grading system on students’ writing capability. The result to unbalance student self-evaluation. (Ling 76). Students often focus on the software evaluation because of their writing forgetting that the program have their limitations as far as writing is concerned. The effect is a learning student generation with minimal writing skills.
Using computers in class is beneficial since students that have mustered their computer keys have the ability to write their work pretty fast compared to a work that is hand that is being by paper and pen (Hamel 1). The concept in this particular fact is buyable because in evaluating students writing skills, speed with accuracy is an element that is always considered. Thus a student has the capacity to turn in a correct write up with minimal mistakes at a short time.
An additional benefit about a computer is that each keystroke corresponds to a letter that is particularGraham 6). Thinking about the known undeniable fact that a computer displays letters dialed regarding the screen, it may therefore be credited with correct spellings of words. Therefore, a college student who definitely has undergone childhood that is preliminary could easily notice a spelling mistake and correct it through a word program document. It is unlike the tactile hand written job where you can easily do lots of spelling mistakes. The end result is improved writing skills due to mastery of great spellings (Ling 123).
Computer word processing guarantees student a write-up which is simple to revise, and add ideas or remove statements that are vague. (Graham 6). This often encourage writers to do more writing unlike hand written work where once an error is done then your whole document has to be rewritten. The ease with which writers can write different types of job with fewer discouragements improves skills that are writing.
Computer word processing improves students’ interactivity to the subject matter associated with the writing (Hamel 1). The reality that word processing program indicates if you find a challenge with grammar, sentence structure and spelling mistakes by underlining where there is a problem, encourages the student to obtain more involved in to the writing by doing his researches properly in order to avoid mistakes that are such. Mistakes corrected often stick in the mind of this student therefore improving his writing skills (Hamel 1).
Another advantage of word processing is an organization that is easy of.(Hamel 1) Word processing software program is connected to other electronic sources including the grammar and plagiarism checkers which are online (Graham 7). The checkers dig deeper to the details of the strive to include checks on flows of ideas in relation to other people’s work. The result is therefore a more work that is organized students.
Regards to these, computer writing software also have greatly impacted on route university students write today. Relating to Fang, a study conducted aimed to analyze the perception of a computer assisted writing program among EFL College learners indicated that;
Most of students held attitudes that are favorable using MyAccess as a writing tool, but were less positive concerning its use as an essay grading tool. Evidence obtained from a multiple choice question in the survey revealed that a majority of the students benefited by making use of the computer-mediated feedback to revise their essays. Moreover, interview data revealed that the feedback that is computer-mediated a positive influence on writing skill development, particularly in suggesting changes for form rather than for content. Finally, eight associated with the https://edubirdies.org/buy-essay-online/ nine interview participants suggested that MyAccess could be found in future writing (p.246).
From this research, it is clear that computer assisted programs have become more good for learners development that is writing. Researchers currently emphasize the usage of computer aided writing in mastering of second language (Fang 247). It is because the editor function in this software improves vocabulary, word usage, sentences spelling and structuring(Fang 252). The tutor function on this program is as well useful correction of grammar (Fang 247) on the other hand. This will be an indication that these softwares improve students writing capabilities.
Another advantage for this is the fact that the automated grading system combined with this software helps students evaluate their writing development quite easily on their own (Fang 252). The reality that a student can write and do self-evaluation by his score on writing, improves a student writing skills because the guy can constantly gauge his level of writing at any moment that is particular.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the advantages that come with word processing program such as grammar correction, proper sentence structuring, and students’ interactivity and others outweigh the disadvantages that this program imposes on students’ writing development. Having said that, writing software carries along more advantage of student self-evaluation which makes it more reliable on sharpening students’ writing capabilities.