Introduction
Mixed reactions have since emerged in researches conducted to recognize the consequences of word processing programs and computer writing software on students’ writing capabilities. Some research indicates 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 used by students (Swan 4). This paper will in effect establish if word processing programs and computer skill can either sharpen and on occasion even weaken college student’s writing skills.
Today, computer word processing programs have eased the editing procedure for correcting spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes and sentence punctuations. Some word processors that are latest are even able place 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 come 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 in writing are; first, the term processing increases 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 spellings that are erroneous them. As a result results in more students having a lot of spelling errors in their typed or written work.
Secondly, computers tempt to substitute a person’s writing for thinking. The entire essence of writing is always to make sense 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 with no proper flow of ideas.
Another disadvantage is the fact that expressed 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 on occasion even rhythm of their 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 effect is a write up with just minimal flow of ideas in one writer to the other which limits students from expressing their writing skills in group work which require a collaborative writing.
One of the factors that are limiting word processors is that it becomes very difficult for writers to obtain an overview of the work (Grow 220). It is because word processors barely display more than twenty four lines of words at an instant. This creates a no clear sense of directions hence writers end up getting partially expressed ideas or recurrence of ideas.
Whilst the usage of word processors produces a well presented write ups, it limits the students’ ability to improve to 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 very important 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 effect to unbalance student self-evaluation. (Ling 76). Students often concentrate on the software evaluation with regards to their writing forgetting that the program have their limitations as far as writing is worried. The result is a learning student generation with minimal writing skills.
Using computers in class is beneficial since students who have mustered their computer keys are able to write their work pretty fast in comparison to a work which is hand that is being by paper and pen (Hamel 1). The idea in this fact is buyable because in evaluating students skills that are writing speed with accuracy is an element that is always considered. Thus a student is able to hand in a proper write up with minimal mistakes at a time that is short.
Another advantage about some type of computer is that each keystroke corresponds to a letter that is particularGraham 6). Taking into consideration the proven fact that some type of computer displays letters dialed from the screen, it could therefore be credited with correct spellings of words. Therefore, a college student who definitely has undergone childhood that is write my paper preliminary can potentially notice a spelling mistake and correct it through a word program document. This will be unlike the tactile hand written job where you could easily do plenty 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 an easy task to revise, and add ideas or remove statements that are vague. (Graham 6). This often encourage writers to complete more writing unlike hand written work where once a blunder is performed then your document that is whole to be rewritten. The ease 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 reality that word processing program indicates if you find an issue with grammar, sentence structure and spelling mistakes by underlining where there was a challenge, encourages the student to get more involved into the writing by doing his researches properly in order to prevent mistakes that are such. Mistakes corrected often stick into 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 attached to other electronic sources for instance the grammar and plagiarism checkers which are online (Graham 7). The checkers dig deeper to the details of the work to include checks on flows of ideas in relation to other people’s work. The end result 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, an investigation conducted aimed to analyze the perception of a computer assisted program that is writing EFL College learners indicated that;
Greater part of 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 when you look at the survey showed that a majority of the students benefited by using the computer-mediated feedback to revise their essays. Moreover, interview data revealed that the computer-mediated feedback had a positive effect on writing skill development, particularly in suggesting changes for form in the place of for content. Finally, eight associated with the nine interview participants suggested that MyAccess could possibly be found in future writing (p.246).
Using this research, it really is clear that computer assisted programs are becoming more useful to learners writing development. Researchers currently emphasize the employment of computer aided writing in learning 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. This will be an indication why these softwares improve students writing capabilities.
Another advantage with this is that the automated grading system accompanied by this software helps students evaluate their writing development very easily on the own (Fang 252). The truth 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 degree of writing at any moment that is particular.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the advantages that come 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. Having said that, writing software carries along more advantageous asset of student self-evaluation that means it is more reliable on sharpening students’ writing capabilities.