1. Charlotte Morgan MEDT 8463

2. Improving Writing Through Technology Today’s youths communicate through texts, Twitter, IM, MySpace, Facebook and blogging, but when a teacher places a blank sheet of paper in front of them and asks them to write, all they visualize is a blank page.

3. Improving Writing Through Technology Rational After two semesters in the Ed.S program, I recognize that there is a wealth of free or inexpensive technology available to educators. As my utilization of technology increases, I hope to integrate these skills into my classroom instruction and lessons.

4. Improving Writing Through Technology Rational Teaching teenagers writing is difficult because they are accustomed to rapid means of communicating via technology. I would like to develop easy demonstrations that model how teachers can use technology to facilitate writing using blogs, social sites, and other internet applications.

5. Improving Writing Through Technology Reasoning Four Reasons Why I Will Use Technology To Improve Writing: 1) GHSGWT Writing Scores 2) Changes in mode of instruction 3) Encourage collaboration 4) Improve Teacher Feedback

6. Improving Writing Through Technology Reason # 1 1. GHSGWT Scores In the past two years, my high school has seen a decrease in the Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test scores for first time test takers.

7. Improving Writing Through Technology Reason #1 My school has challenged the English department to identify strategies for improving writing test scores, and therefore, writing skills. Technology provides tools teachers can utilize to encourage students to write. Teacher and student blogs, Wikis, and web pages are tools they can use to get students voluntarily writing.

8. Improving Writing Through Technology Reason #2 2. Educational trends are continuing to move towards student centric learning. Most technological tools are student centered, with teachers functioning as facilitators. Allowing students to post writing via technology gets them interested in the writing process, and encourages them to take ownership of their writing.

9. Improving Writing Through Technology Reason #3 3. Technology facilitates collaboration through the writing process. Students can collaborate, share, and publish their writing. Tools such as blogs, social sites, wikis, and Googledocs encourage students to collaborate and respond to each other’s writing.

10. Improving Writing Through Technology Reason #4 4. Teachers can improve the timeliness and quality of student feedback by using technology instead of traditional means. Googledocs and blogs are quick ways for students to post their writing and for teachers to provide quick feedback.

11. Improving Writing Through Technology Interests English Teachers and Students When collaborating with middle school and high school teachers, one topic that always arises is the best way to teach and get students interested in writing.

12. Improving Writing Through Technology Interests Today’s students communicate instantly via technology. They embrace any use of technology, so it only reasons that if teachers want them writing more, we need to utilize technology.