The Potential Impacts of Technology on Spelling and Writing: What Can Teachers Do?

This week I compiled the research I've been conducting over the past few weeks into a digital presentation. Before going into more detail about the actual presentation, Here is a link to my Diigo Outliners Page I used to curate and organize my ideas for this project. Also, below is the interview I conducted with my colleague Heath Curran about teaching writing in high school and using the Collins Method.



Interview with Heath Curran from Elaine McConnell on Vimeo.

Now, on to the main event. I researched the potential impacts texting, autocorrect, and spellcheck have had on students' writing and grammar. My findings were multifaceted, and, to be, honest, I was quite surprised by them. In my video, I outline the various arguments about the potential impacts and also provide some insight about possible teacher interventions. Please view my video below.


EDIM 516 Final Video from Elaine McConnell on Vimeo.

MY REFLECTION

What do I know now that I didn't know before this course? 

Before this course, I had never even head of Genius Hour or Makerspace. After interacting with my classmates’ blogs, I found that these movements are sweeping the education world. I’m thankful that so many of my classmates chose to investigate these topics because it provided me with a good overview of each. 

I also now have a better understanding of the importance of learning environments. Educators can try to implement all of the newest trends in education, but if the classroom environment is not conducive to learning, then it may all be in vain. I reflected greatly on the arrangement of the desks in my room and on ways to try to make my room more flexible for both independent and collaborative activities.

Finally when I chose the topic of my final project, I was certain that all of my research would prove that texting, autocorrect, and spell check negatively impact students’ writing and spelling. However, the research simply did not prove that. I was thoroughly surprised by this, and I now understand that the issue is far deeper than simply students’ increased exposure to technology, which I have outlined in my final presentation.

What can I do now I couldn't do before? 

I have recognized the importance of civil discourse. Of course, this is something I already understood in theory, but actively trying to view new educational trends from both sides sparked a new awareness. Taking the time to investigate ideas before trying to implement them into the classroom is an essential responsibility of teachers. Analyzing both the pros and cons of new strategies can help teachers use new resources to their fullest potentials and avoid resources that seem to be more bad than good. I also now have a better understanding of how to compile research through curation tools like Diigo or Pinterest.

I also feel more competent at making and following educational blogs. Tools like Feedly make it so easy to instantly access new blog posts. One of the best ways to grow as an educator is to see what others in the field are doing. Since blogs are written on a more informal level, they provide the opportunity to see a teacher’s real feelings about a topic, which can prove to be invaluable when considering using an idea for your own classroom.

Why does it matter? 

This was my last course in the Instructional Media program, and I was still exposed to an exceptional amount of information that I hadn’t seen before. Education is constantly changing, and it’s essential for teachers to be active learners. Taking the initiative to actively locate and investigate new resources is the only way I can ensure that I am providing my students with the best possible opportunities to learn. Following other teachers’ blogs and investigating the many facets of new educational movements are the best ways to do so.