Journal #8

"WriteToLearn" by Sarah McPherson

This article is about Web-based program that "is designed to help students develop summarizing and essay writing skills." It is designed to provide guided practice to middle and high school students. The technology it uses is designed to simulate the feedback a human reader might provide.

Do students in today's schools need to improve their writing skills? YES! From what I see in college today, and in my children's middle and high schools, writing skills are an area that needs a lot of work. For whatever reason (time, inclination?) students today are not receiving adequate guidance with editing and improving their work. A tool that provides opportunity for practice, and gives individualized feedback can be a valuable tool.

With a program that can provide the feedback a teacher normally would, will teachers become obsolete? NO! There are so many aspects to good writing that can only be conveyed via personal instruction and modeling. Sometimes good writing can include not following the rules (something you can only do once you know the rules). A good teacher is invaluable in helping students develop a writing style that is not only grammatically correct but conveys personality. Knowing which writing style is appropriate for which assignment is also important, something a teacher can help a student with.

There is no substitute for a good teacher, but this program appears to be a valuable tool to assist both the teacher and the student.