Chapter 7 - Word Processing

By cutting back on the menial tasks of writing with pen and paper, word processing technology allows students to write more quickly and efficiently.  Built-in features such as cut and paste remove the frustrating and time-consuming chore of rewriting over and over again.  Students are much more willing to follow through with the editing process when it is facilitated in this way.  When they spend more time proofreading, editing, and revising, their finished work improves (Morrison & Lowther, 2010).

When students spend less time on the tedious tasks, they can focus on deeper and higher order thinking, which increases understanding and enhances learning.  This higher level of thinking occurs when students go beyond memorizing and repeating what they hear (Thomas & Thorne).  Some activities that help students think deeper about new information are organizing and categorizing, problem-solving, paraphrasing, making connections (Cross, 1999), and using the information to create presentations, projects, and/or images.  All of these activities can be accomplished by using word processing software.

As students are involved in these word processing activities, they have many different options that they can choose from to personalize their work and demonstrate their creativity.  They are no longer restrained by the limitations of pen and paper.  They do not have to worry about being judged by their penmanship.  They can create charts tables, and graphs to represent and to further understand what they are learning.  They can express their unique perspectives by inserting images, colors, backgrounds, and shapes to enhance their original work.  They can be proud of their creations.  These options help students connect to what they are learning and expand upon their knowledge (Morrison & Lowther, 2010).

References

Cross, K. P. (1999). Learning is about making connections. The Cross
       Papers, 3. Retrieved June 1, 2011 from djames84.net/Cert_51
       /Learning%20Is%20About%20Connections.pdf

Morrison, G. R., & Lowther, D. L. (2010).  Integrating computer technology
       into the classroom: skills for the 21st century.  Boston:
      Pearson. 

Thomas, A., & Thorne, G. (n.d.). Higher order thinking. Center for
       Development and Learning, Retrieved June 1, 2011 from
       http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/highorderthinking.php