Ramifications of Word Processing Programs and Writing Software on Students’ Writing Ability

Introduction

Mixed reactions have since emerged in researches conducted to recognize the effects of word processing programs and computer writing software on students’ writing capabilities. Some studies have shown effects that are positive the use of computer word processing programs. On the other hand, others have indicated difference that is barely minimal cases where the programs or software are utilized by students (Swan 4). This paper will in effect establish if word processing programs and computer skill can either sharpen or 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 word processors that are latest are even able put in text citations on student research papers Similarly, computer writing software have the ability to correct the mistakes and look for plagiarism of researched work. The advantages that are included with word processors and these computer writing software would therefore definitely outweigh the negative impacts on students’ writing capabilities.

One of the disadvantages of word processing programs and writing software that weaken students’ knowledge on paper are; first, the term processing boosts the likelihood of certain spelling errors (Noel 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. As a result 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 sound right to a audience that is particular a particular intension (Grow 218). As Grow observes;

They first wrote down (p.219) when they write with a computer, instead of rethinking their drafts for purpose, audience, content, strategy, and effectiveness, most untrained writers just keep editing the words.

This results university students handing in write-ups that do not make sense or without any flow that is proper of.

Another disadvantage is that word processors in computers enhances a lot more of collaborative writing (Grow 218). In a collaborative writing, different write may not have the same ideas about tone, punctuation and even rhythm of the sentences. A computer collaborative write up by college students often do not make much meaning due to variations on how different writers put down their point (Ling 25) in that case. The end result is a write up with minimal flow of ideas in one writer to another which limits students from expressing their writing skills in group work which require a collaborative writing.

One of many limiting factors about word processors is that it becomes very hard for writers to obtain a summary of these work (Grow 220). It is because word processors barely display significantly more than twenty four lines of words at an instantaneous. This creates a sense that is no clear of hence writers end up getting partially expressed ideas or recurrence of ideas.

Although the usage of word processors produces a well presented ups that are write it limits the students’ ability to improve on 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 sole mentionable disadvantage of computer writing softwares is that, existence of various softwares does not have a substandard grading system on students’ writing capability. The end result to unbalance student self-evaluation. (Ling 76). Students often concentrate on the software evaluation for his or her writing forgetting that the application have their limitations as far as writing is concerned. The result is a student generation with minimal writing skills.

Using computers in class is effective since students who possess 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 idea in this particular fact is buyable because in evaluating students skills that are writing speed with accuracy is an element which is always considered. Thus a student has the capacity to hand in a proper jot down with reduced mistakes at a short time.

An additional benefit about a computer is the fact that each keystroke corresponds to a letter that is particularGraham 6). Thinking about the known undeniable fact that a computer displays letters dialed in 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. That is unlike the hand written job where you can easily do a lot of spelling mistakes. The result is improved skills that are writing to mastery of good spellings (Ling 123).

Computer word processing guarantees student a write-up which is an easy task to revise, and add ideas or remove vague statements. (Graham 6). This often encourage writers to do more writing unlike hand written work where once an error is performed then the document that is whole to be rewritten. The convenience with which writers can write different kinds of job with fewer discouragements improves writing skills.

Computer word processing improves students’ interactivity to the matter that is subject of writing (Hamel 1). The fact that word processing program indicates if you have an issue with grammar, sentence structure and spelling mistakes by underlining where there is certainly an issue, encourages the student to get more involved to the writing by doing his researches properly to prevent mistakes that are such. Mistakes corrected often stick when you look at the mind of the student therefore improving his writing skills (Hamel 1).

Another benefit of word processing is an easy organization of work.(Hamel 1) Word processing software is linked to other electronic sources for instance the grammar and plagiarism checkers which are online (Graham 7). The checkers dig deeper in to the details of the ongoing strive to include checks on flows of ideas in terms of other people’s work. The result is therefore a more work that is organized students.

Today relation to these, computer writing software have also greatly impacted on the way college students write. According to Fang, an investigation conducted aimed to analyze the perception of a computer assisted program that is writing EFL College learners indicated that;

Almost all students held favorable attitudes towards 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 into the survey revealed that a lot 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 effect on writing skill development, particularly in suggesting changes for form as opposed to for content. Finally, eight associated with nine interview participants suggested that MyAccess could possibly be employed in future writing (p.246).

From this research, it is clear that computer assisted programs have grown to be more beneficial to learners development that is writing. Researchers currently emphasize the usage of computer aided writing in mastering of second language (Fang 247). Simply because the editor function in this software improves vocabulary, word usage, sentences structuring and spelling (Fang 252). The tutor function on this program is as well useful correction of grammar (Fang 247) on the other hand. This might be an illustration that these softwares improve students writing capabilities.

Another advantage of this is the fact that the automated grading system associated with this software helps students evaluate their writing development very easily on the own (Fang 252). The fact a student can write and do self-evaluation by his score on writing, improves a student writing skills because he is able to constantly gauge his amount of writing at any moment that is particular.

Conclusion

To sum up, the advantages that come along with word processing program such as grammar correction, proper sentence structuring, and students’ interactivity among others outweigh the disadvantages that this system imposes on students’ writing development. On the other hand, writing software carries along more benefit of student essay help self-evaluation which makes it more reliable on sharpening students’ writing capabilities.

Introduction

Conclusion

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