OMG! Txts make u gd at writing? Srsly? How 'text speak' can help pupils write essays

[Jazzy]

Many have branded text messages as the bane of modern-day writing, claiming that the widespread use of abbreviations and slang is chipping away at basic writing skills.



Yet a study by a research team for the Department for Education has found that text messages, blogging and social media can actually help hone the skills of youngsters.



The report found that 'blog owners and pupils using a social networking site reported to be significantly better writers compared to pupils who don’t use blogs or social networking sites.'



The report, called 'What is the research evidence on writing?' was penned by the Education Standards Research Team from the Department for Education and looked at the impact of technology on writing.



A small-scale study investigated the links between text message abbreviations - called textisms - and school literacy outcomes on five classes of pupils aged ten to 12.



The report said their study 'found no evidence that a child's development in written language was disrupted by using text abbreviations.

'On the contrary, the study found evidence of a positive relationship between use of textisms and word reading ability.'



The report's authors claimed that they had evidence that showed a positive relationship between textisms and spelling.



They said it could be because text messages require pupils to have an understanding of sound structures and syllables in words.



A small-scale study investigated the links between text message abbreviations - called textisms - and school literacy outcomes on five classes of pupils aged ten to 12.



The report said their study 'found no evidence that a child's development in written language was disrupted by using text abbreviations.



'On the contrary, the study found evidence of a positive relationship between use of textisms and word reading ability.'



The report's authors claimed that they had evidence that showed a positive relationship between textisms and spelling.



They said it could be because text messages require pupils to have an understanding of sound structures and syllables in words.



'As the authors note, this may be explained by the fact that use of textisms requires a certain degree of phonological awareness,' the report says.



And those worried that the English language was being eroded by a younger generation who turned to their phones, instead of a pen and paper, to communicate with a friend, can rest a little.

Full article



What are your thoughts on this research?

 

[The Dragon Master]

Maybe the blog writing and stuff, but not the text speak. I steadily refuse to believe that text speak is good, and whomever uses it needs to be smacked on the head with a dictionary.

 

[Flurry]

Personally if an English teacher hasn't gotten it through to a teenager on how to properly spell the word 'make.' That's a huge fail right there. And I'd rather see full on regular writing then I would text.

 

[thecostumedanceparty]

Small-scale study.



Enough said.

 

[DrLeftover]

It's like... like....



well

Trying to describe beauty with words is like trying to make a cotton ball out of cast iron, you might get close, but you'll never get the true sense of the real thing.

- Dr. Leftover

 

[Jazzy]

It's like... like....



well

Great quote Doc!

 

[DrLeftover]

Thank you.



I said that once upon a time trying to describe a beautiful woman in a story, and have used it before. But never in reference to Texting.





in fact.... I believe this is the section I was thinking about:

Ralph's morning was spent sitting in on Colleen's art classes, she was a student in one, and the teacher in the other two. She handed off her afternoon class to another graduate assistant and spent the rest of the day with Ralph. They cleaned his apartment!

Ralph really did have a roommate. Colleen got to meet him, he came up to the room for lunch. He wasn't exactly a student, he only had one class this year, he worked for the university as a painter and light carpenter. He was very pro union, and very much the confirmed bachelor. But he was impressed with Colleen.

This is her? Jeff, the roommate, asked. Ralph nodded. DAMN! She IS pretty. Damn, Ralph, I thought you were lying again. Damn. He said several times looking her over slowly. But after Jeff talked a little, and ate his lunch, he left.

Colleen seemed amused. You told him about us?

Ralph looked at the bottom of his sink, he hadn't seen it for awhile. Yeah, He'd noticed I had shaved a couple of times, and he said I had been acting a little strange. He stopped and looked at her. Why are you here?

She never ceased to be amazed by his thinking. I don't know, I guess I like you. You're different, kinda like you need me. I mean more than just needing a role in the hay. She dropped an empty cereal box in the trash bag. Although you seemed to have needed that too. She smiled wickedly at him.

Ralph swallowed dryly and didn't say anything for a minute.

Harrison said you were seeing some guy from the fire department.

Just a couple of times. I didn't like him, he was shallow...

Ralph interrupted. I'm shallow.

Well, She was thinking. He was very insecure.... I know, so are you. But he was... She couldn't think of anything that Kim-Sung had been that Ralph wasn't, in spades. She had it. He had all his clothes dry-cleaned, and would never eat beans out of the can with me.

http://www.themediadesk.com/2dorms/2dorms30.htm