Chapter 4 Reflection

I agree with the concept that Word Processing software can help the writing skills of students. I think that it encourages students to be more formal in their writing and allows the possibility of a professional design and organization that could not otherwise be created with handwriting and standard notebook paper. I also think that Word Processing is beneficial in that it prepares students for what they will be likely doing someday in their profession. In this world, there is a use for technology, especially word processing, in nearly every profession.

However, I think Word Processing creates a very interesting dilemma when using it with young students. It brings in the question: "Does a software program like Word Processing actually make students' writing worse?" As a future Language Arts Teacher I will certainly face this predicament. I believe that Word Processing has the capabilities of destroying a writer's sense of style and originality. Oftentimes these types of programs seek to correct what it seeks as grammatically incorrect. However, it is not always right and does not know the goal behind the writing. For example, there may be an instance where a student has intentions of writing something a certain way. If the computer tells that student that his/her writing is incorrect, naturally the student will quickly accept the computer's recommendation. When you receive a high number of students taking all these recommendations, as a teacher, this makes all student writing begin to sound similar. It thus kills the personality of a written piece that each student would had otherwise put in. As a Language Arts teacher, word processing software must then be carefully chose when to use and when not to.