THE PROBLEM WITH WRITING

I agree that writing is becoming a problem area for school students here in Oz but, unfortunately, it's reflected across all ages and groups in my opinion.

 

It's too easy, however, to blame technology alone for this and I reckon that such finger pointing misses the central issues. I'm also suspicious of the alluded to research that links handwriting fluency with writing outcomes.

 

The big problem with writing is that we don't 'write'. I know that sounds inane because writing is a basic communication tool but it's exactly what I'm proposing. The opportunities for writing are decreasing markedly. For many punters, the only real 'writing' activities they engage in are status updates and/ or postings on social media sites.

 

Now I'm not suggesting that such activities aren't 'writing'- they most certainly are- but any quick examination of these offerings leads to the realisation that many of the crucial components and phases of the writing process are neglected or even ignored. The efficacy of review is fast becoming foreign to the keyboard warriors of the 21st century.

 

For me, the essential decanting of written text just isn't happening anymore and it doesn't really matter whether that is on a sheet of A4 or somewhere in your device of choice.

 

With reference to adolescent students, how you gauge any of this from a thirty or forty minute 'test' is problematic but the issue extends far beyond the confines of the modern classroom.

https://theconversation.com/to-empower-students-with-effective-writing-skills-handwriting-matters-81949

Posted on f/b on 25 August 2017.