Writing and Technology in the Classroom

Students in a primary classroom are affected by the use of technology.  Having another resource for students to use to enhance their writing is another way of helping students become more well-rounded and prepared for the upper grades.  The technology in  my classroom can motivate students who are otherwise not motivated to write.  Many younger students have a hard time forming letters correctly and often get frustrated when faced with a pencil and paper.  Having a word processing program available makes writing a little easier for these students.  

While a lot of students are more motivated with technology, some students who are not familiar with the technology or who struggle with it may need to be encouraged during a lesson. According to Beginning to Write with Word Processing: Integrating Writing Process and Technology in a Primary Classroom, teachers need to be aware of student engagement with the technology and modify lessons accordingly.  For instance a mini-lesson might be given after 10 minutes of students using the technology instead of right at the beginning of the lesson.  Thus helping sustain student focus. 

Having a word processing program available for students helps with publishing stories as well.  Saving them onto the computer hard drive and not having to print them out until they are satisfied and have been revised and edited can help students remain focused on what they are writing about.  Often I see rough drafts get so erased and rewritten that it is extremely hard to read and often the student doesn't want to finish that particular piece of writing. 

Having students publish their writing and reviews of books online encourages writing.  Many students are motivated by praise and acknowledgement of their work.  Having their work published online increases the number of people who will actually read it and comment on it.  Having parents be able to read what their children are writing on a daily basis or even weekly basis can help motivate students to want to write more.  In upper grades learning how to use digital stories to tell about a topic is a great way for students to practice writing using technology.  

This website is a great resource for learning more about digital storytelling and how it can be used in the classroom.

 Blogging has been a big part of my life for a while now.  I started a personal blog when I moved to Indiana in 1999 to share my life with my family members back home in Idaho.  When I became a parent I created A Mom's Impression, a very successful  parenting and review blog that has helped me reach out to other moms.  A classroom blog can do those things as well for the students and families in your classroom.  Keeping parents up to date on events as well as activities that students are participating in helps to bridge that parent-teacher communication gap is happening in a lot of classrooms.  Lets face it, unfortunately we don't have time to meet with parents as often as we would like to.  A classroom blog helps with that.  

A classroom blog also helps reach out to other educators who may have ideas and thoughts that can help with what you are trying to teach in your classroom.  I know that I have searched for blogs and ideas for activities for some of the units that I am teaching.  Teachers constantly learn from each other, blogging helps bring us closer together.   

Student blogs can have the same effect.  They can share their thoughts and get feedback from other students or adults.  They have the control over what they write and who leaves comments.  Students also have the option of being anonymous and not have to worry  about what people are thinking of them personally.


So, I am curious... how do you use technology and writing in your classroom?