My point of view on integrating technologies in writing

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Since the start of the 21^st century, technologies have been an importance towards the lives of mankind. Its abundance can be seen everywhere from your local supermarket to the comfort of your own home. Nowadays, technologies have found its place in our very own classroom. The integration of technologies in education especially in writing classroom has had major impact on students writing skills. However, not all of its uses can be consider positive. Therefore, here I will discuss upon the pros and cons of integrating technologies in writing; also how would I use it in my writing classroom.

Firstly, incorporating technologies in writing helps students to collaborate their work through online discussion group. For example, the use of Google Docs is an online tool where students can write collaboratively. It can be a medium for students to discuss their work; and also shy students could benefit from this tool. Shy students could feel secure or comfortable when they are giving opinions compare to face-to-face interaction. In my opinion, shy students do benefit from this online tool. The reason why shy students are afraid of voicing out is because they are afraid of being criticizes. Also, they are afraid that their classmates as well as teacher would not understand their ideas. So, face-to-face interactions would shun away shy students from collaborating in a work. However, online discussion tool has its bad side. Giving feedback would be very challenging for teachers as it is very burdensome for them to type out word by word instead of just voicing it out. There are several ways to cope with this problem of wanting shy students to participate in discussion without the use of online tools. One way is dividing them into groups. Shy students work well with their peer and in a smaller audience. They can chip in their opinion in their group.

Secondly, implementing technologies in writing would be convenient. As we all know, technologies have improve over the century. It is used anywhere and everywhere. For instance, we could do our work anywhere besides our class provided we have feasible internet connection. Also, it would be easier to open up an online discussion group, so students could discuss their work online without having to meet up in one place. However, it has its flaws as not all students will have feasible internet connection. Moreover, using online discussion group takes away face-to-face interaction which in a way would be bad. For instance, if students open up discussion group online, how would they know if their members are really paying attention to the discussion? Some might join the discussion just to let their members know that they are online but behind the scenes; they are doing something else.

Next, I would like to touch upon the issue of motivating students to write by blending technologies in writing.  Students are highly motivated to write more if they are given the chance to choose their own topics that they are interested in. Social networking sites such as ‘Facebook’ allow them to write creatively based on topics of their interest. Also, they will be motivated to write to an audience. Positive feedback that they receive from other users would boost them to write more. However, it is uncertain that all students would really be motivated. This is because students might get distracted instead, with all the tools and applications in SNS; they would often stray away from the purpose of improving their writing.

                Moving on, online tools help teachers to be more creative towards their approach in teaching writing. Online teaching tools, such as, Prezi, timetoast and ‘’read, write, think’’ helps capture students attention. They will feel the need to learn more as their attentions are turn to the slides. Also, students who are exposed to this tool might want to try it out for themselves. Thus, they would experience new things along the way.

                Furthermore, I would like to shed some light on how will I use technologies to teach writing. Before that, I would consider the total number of students in my class. If it is 35 and below, then I would incorporate E-portfolios to my writing class. Through experience, I found out that using e-portfolios is beneficial for the students. Students can easily store their work and if they need to check back on previous assignments, they will just go to their respective e-portfolios to check. During my high-school years, I often have trouble finding my work because I was too lazy to compile it in file. So, after I was asked to create an e-portfolio to store my work, it became easier for me to re-check on what I have done so far. Thus, in the future, I would consider doing this to my students. However, I need to take into consideration whether or not students can have access to internet or not. If not, then, maybe I will just use those creative online tools to teach them.

                Lastly, technologies play an important role in teaching writing. It is beneficial because it helps in collaborating students’ works; it is convenient and also motivational. However, we need to take into consideration whether or not students are able to access those kinds of tools in their school or not. If they are able to, then integrating technologies in writing would really benefit students.