Chapter 7: Word Processing

Doesn’t word processing make the writing process too easy?

Using word processing does not make the writing process too easy because it still requires planning, organizing, creating, and checking grammar/spelling. Just because a story or letter can be wrote doesn’t mean that word processing is going to catch every mistake. The creator is still expected to follow the same guidelines as if writing with paper and pencil. Many mistakes can be made on word processing documents and these documents still require proper citations and formats. Typing skills are not easy for everyone and some people and students can not type anything without writing it out first. Word processing does make documents easier to read than people’s handwriting and has a more professional look.  However, it is not easy for people or students who do not type well or have lack of technology skills and understanding.

How can word processing be used to engage students in higher-level thinking?
　
Word Processing can be used to enhance student learning by (1) entering and editing text, (2) organizing information with charts, tables, and graphic organizers, and (3) inserting objects and hyperlinks in documents (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  Students can become engaged through a higher-level thinking by using word processing.  It allows them to type their stories or research in a professional manner making them proud of the work they have done.  One example I have seen is in a book wrote by Erin Gruwell Teach With Your Heart: Lessons I Learned From The Freedom Writers.  She is the teacher who inspired the Freedom Writers.  She had her students to write a journal throughout high school.  These students were labeled the bad students by other administration but she continued to work with them through their struggles.  These students attracted alot of attention as she did in the US and she encouraged her students to type up the stories and diary entries they had wrote throughout school.  Her reasoning was that several publishers and influential people were interested in their stories.  The students spent a significant amount of time typing their own stories up, proofreading other classmate stories, and had a higher self esteem when their work was completed. They took the extra time needed to create these documents because they wanted the reader to be able to read them and understand what they had overcome in life. Word Processing is a great tool for students to jot down information or a way to brainstorm.  Computers are the technology of the future and students can benefit from the use of word processing.　
　
　
In what ways are the individual needs of students met when their work is completed with a word processor?

Individual needs of students are met when their work is completed with word processor because it allows them to type their stories and research at their own personal pace.  This helps students identify spelling errors because word processor highlights spelling errors and helps identify fragments and grammar errors.  This allows students to learn to improve their proofreading while fixing the mistake easily.  Word processing allows corrections to be made without damaging the professionalism of the document.  This helps them focus on their actual writing than on their handwriting (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  Teachers and schools can find lots of software to improve students technology and communication skills through using word processing.  This video is an example of a software program that teachers can use for students to improve their writing skills with the use of a computer.  The link can be viewed on the promotion of the Webspiration software  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ5h81Rpn94.

Sources:
Gruwell, E.  Teach With Your Heart: Lessons I Learned From The Freedom Writers.  Broadway Books: New York, 2007.

Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L.  Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. (4th ed.)  Pearson: Boston, 2010.