Introduction
Mixed reactions have since emerged in researches conducted to determine the effects of word processing programs and computer writing software on students’ writing capabilities. Some research indicates positive effects towards the use of computer word processing programs. Having said that, others have indicated barely minimal difference between instances when the programs or software are utilized by students (Swan 4). This paper will in effect establish if word processing programs and computer skill may either sharpen and on occasion even weaken college student’s writing skills.
Today, computer word processing programs have eased the editing process of correcting spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes and sentence punctuations. Some latest word processors are even able put in text citations on student research papers Similarly, computer writing software have the ability to correct the mistakes and check 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.
On the list of disadvantages of word processing programs and writing software that weaken students’ knowledge on paper are; first, the phrase processing escalates the possibility of certain errors that are spellingNoel 106). Word processors causes modifications that are unwanted spellchecking some errors leading to some misspelt words or confused words (Noel 106). In relation that, students often believe word processors are often correct in spelling hence leaning more spellings that are erroneous them. As a result leads to more students having a complete lot of spelling errors within their typed or written work.
Secondly, computers tempt to substitute a person’s writing for thinking. Your whole essence of writing is to sound right to a particular audience with a particular intension (Grow 218). As Grow observes;
Once they write with some type of computer, instead of rethinking their drafts for purpose, audience, content, strategy, and effectiveness, most untrained writers just keep editing the text they first wrote down (p.219).
This results university students handing in write-ups that do not seem sensible or without any proper flow of ideas.
Another disadvantage is that word processors in computers enhances more of collaborative writing (Grow 218). In a collaborative writing, different write might not have the exact same ideas about tone, punctuation as well as rhythm of their sentences. In that case, some type of computer collaborative jot down by college students often usually do not make much meaning as a result of variations on how different writers put down their point (Ling 25). The result is a write up with just minimal flow of ideas from 1 writer to another which limits students from expressing their writing skills in group work which require a writing that is collaborative.
Among the limiting factors about word processors is that it becomes extremely tough for writers to get a synopsis of the work (Grow 220). The reason being word processors barely display significantly more than twenty four lines of words at an immediate. This creates a no clear sense of directions hence writers end up getting partially expressed ideas or recurrence of ideas.
Even though the usage of word processors produces a well presented ups that are write it limits the students’ capability to improve essay writer on the hand written work. The emergence of computer era has affected greatly students’ handwriting. 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 tactile hand written idea. Hence a write up not well written limits student writing capability.
The only mentionable disadvantage of computer writing softwares is that, existence of various softwares does not have a substandard grading system on students’ writing capability on the other hand. The result to unbalance student self-evaluation. (Ling 76). Students often concentrate on the software evaluation for their writing forgetting that the program have their limitations so far as writing is concerned. The effect is a learning student generation with reduced writing skills.
Using computers in class is helpful since students who possess mustered their computer keys are able to write their work pretty fast when compared with a work which can be hand that is being by paper and pen (Hamel 1). The theory in this particular fact is buyable because in evaluating students writing skills, speed with accuracy is a component that is always considered. Thus a student is able to turn in a proper write up with just minimal mistakes at a time that is short.
Another advantage about some type of computer is that each keystroke corresponds to a particular letter (Graham 6). Considering the proven fact that a pc displays letters dialed regarding the screen, it could therefore be credited with correct spellings of words. Therefore, a college student who definitely has undergone childhood that is preliminary can potentially notice a spelling mistake and correct it through a word program document. That is unlike the hand written job where one could easily do lots of spelling mistakes. The end result is improved skills that are writing to mastery of great spellings (Ling 123).
Computer word processing guarantees student a write-up which is easy 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 a mistake is done then your whole document has to be rewritten. The ease with which writers can write different kinds of job with fewer discouragements improves skills that are writing.
Computer word processing improves students’ interactivity into the subject matter for the writing (Hamel 1). The fact word processing program indicates if you find a problem with grammar, sentence structure and spelling mistakes by underlining where there clearly was an issue, encourages the student to obtain more involved to the writing by doing his researches properly to avoid mistakes that are such. Mistakes corrected often stick in the mind for the learning student therefore improving his writing skills (Hamel 1).
Another advantage 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 into the information on the work to include checks on flows of ideas in relation to other people’s work. The effect is therefore a more organized work from students.
Today relation to these, computer writing software have also greatly impacted on the way college students write. Relating to Fang, a study conducted aimed to investigate 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 choice that is multiple into the survey indicated 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 computer-mediated feedback had a positive impact on writing skill development, particularly in suggesting changes for form in place of for content. Finally, eight associated with the nine interview participants suggested that MyAccess could be found in future writing (p.246).
Using this research, it really is clear that computer assisted programs have grown to be more useful to learners development that is writing. Researchers currently emphasize the usage of computer aided writing in mastering of second language (Fang 247). The reason being 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. That is a sign why these softwares improve students writing capabilities.
An additional benefit with this is that the automated grading system accompanied by this software helps students evaluate their writing development quite easily on their own (Fang 252). The fact that a student can write and do self-evaluation by his score on writing, improves a student writing skills because they can constantly gauge his level of writing at any moment that is particular.
Conclusion
To sum up, the advantages that come with word program that is processing as grammar correction, proper sentence structuring, and students’ interactivity and others outweigh the disadvantages that this program imposes on students’ writing development. Having said that, writing software carries along more advantage of student self-evaluation which makes it more reliable on sharpening students’ writing capabilities.