Online technology and especially Internet, are part of everyday life. They have changed and are changing our social rules, our way of communicating and also our way of writing.
In online chat and "text speak" usually we adopt an informal writing style, that can often lack grammar and correct spelling.
That’s the reason why many people criticize children's and teens use of technology. So the result of a survey of the English National Literacy Trust may be surprising:
children who blog, text or use social networking websites have better writing skills than those who do not.
A survey studied 3,001 English children aged nine to 16. It found that 24% had their own blog and 82% sent text messages at least once a month.
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.
Six out of ten young bloggers think their writing skills are "very good".
Enthusiam for writing
Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, said that children and teens who use online technology, feel enthusiastic about writing short stories, letters, song lyrics or diaries.
So there is " … a strong correlation between kids using technology and skills of reading and writing."
"Young people aged nine and upwards are texting like crazy - inside and outside the classroom," said John Coe, general secretary of the National Association for Primary Education.
"It is a form of reading and writing. It might not be conventional but they are communicating...".
However, not all teachers agree with this point of view, many think that spending a lot of time online in the classroom has its disadvantages.
Many think the relationship between teacher and child is more important than that with the computer.
(Adapted for educational purposes from news.bbc.co.uk)
(Photo from news.bbc.co.uk)
Writing Exercise
Write 200–300 words about the use of online technology, like blog, and social networking websites.
What do you think of them? How much time do you spend online everyday? Do you think it improves your writing skills? Does it help you to create new relationships with people?
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