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Many Teens Use Internet Slang in Schoolwork
by findingDulcinea Staff
A new study found that that two-thirds of U.S. teenagers use Internet writing shortcuts, such as emoticons and informal abbreviations, in their written schoolwork.
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The study’s results alarmed some educators, but the discovery that 64 percent of teens use emoticons in their writing is a “teachable moment,” according to researcher Amanda Lenhart at the Pew Internet and American Life Project, who sees an opportunity to teach the differences between formal and informal writing.
Students who blogged or participated in social networking sites were more likely use informal language in school assignments, but 73 percent did not see e-communication as “real writing” and said it had “no impact” on their schoolwork.
But many students said they “accidentally” use internet shortcuts such as emoticons, or symbols like “:)” for “smile,” and common abbreviations, such as “LOL” for “laugh out loud.”
No surprise to Internet browsers: the study also found that students who blog are doing a lot of writing. The bloggers also saw good writing skills as “essential to their future success.”
Just as Internet writing styles are entering written schoolwork, many teachers are using Internet technologies in their classrooms. Blogs in Education describes student blogs used for classroom activities such as reflective writing, science journals and group discussions.
But e-communication of all kinds has its hazards and advantages. A wave of injuries to people “texting while walking” has inspired one British company to offer a video on the dangers of combining strolling with sending text messages. And to avoid offending others while messaging, Yale University’s library offers a “Netiquette” Web page.
Students who blogged or participated in social networking sites were more likely use informal language in school assignments, but 73 percent did not see e-communication as “real writing” and said it had “no impact” on their schoolwork.
But many students said they “accidentally” use internet shortcuts such as emoticons, or symbols like “:)” for “smile,” and common abbreviations, such as “LOL” for “laugh out loud.”
No surprise to Internet browsers: the study also found that students who blog are doing a lot of writing. The bloggers also saw good writing skills as “essential to their future success.”
Just as Internet writing styles are entering written schoolwork, many teachers are using Internet technologies in their classrooms. Blogs in Education describes student blogs used for classroom activities such as reflective writing, science journals and group discussions.
But e-communication of all kinds has its hazards and advantages. A wave of injuries to people “texting while walking” has inspired one British company to offer a video on the dangers of combining strolling with sending text messages. And to avoid offending others while messaging, Yale University’s library offers a “Netiquette” Web page.
Headline Links: Internet writing styles affecting teens’ schoolwork
The study showing that two-thirds of teens use emoticons in their writing may be disheartening to parents and teachers, but researches at Pew Internet and American Life Project feel that it’s possible to turn this :( into a :). “It’s a teachable moment,” said senior research specialist Amanda Lenhart. The rate of informal language usage was higher in students who blogged or participated in social networking.
Source: MSN
The study found that although teens do not associate e-communication with “writing,” and they strongly believe that “good writing is a critical skill to achieving success,” suggesting that teens wish be taught how to write well, and that teachers should take advantage of this opportunity. The full report as well as the questionnaire are available on Pew’s Web site.
Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project
Opinion & Analysis: Is electronic communication “writing?”
Cellular News notes an “interesting paradox” in the numbers yielded by the survey. Although 85 percent of teens engage in electronic communication such as emailing, instant messaging or text messaging, 60 percent of them do not consider these forms of communication to be writing. And while 73 percent of teens said electronic communication had “no impact” on the writing they do for school, 64 percent confessed to letting emotions and abbreviations seep into the their school work.
Source: Cellular News
Related Links: Electronic teaching, safety and netiquette
Blogs in Education offers examples, links and resources—as well as Internet safety information—for teachers using blogs with students, or for inter-faculty communication. “The use of blogs in instructional settings is limited only by your imagination,” the Web site says. A linked article on “Scholars Who Blog” from the Chronicle of Higher Education calls the Internet “the soapbox of the digital age.”
Source: Blogs in Education
Advances in technology have brought inspired similar studies and correlating legislation. A U.K. directory assistance company found the “1 in 10 Brits have been injured because of walking and texting at the same time.” The company made a video to teach pedestrians about the dangers of walking and texting. In some states, it is already illegal to use a cellular phone while driving, and one New York legislator wants to make it illegal to use an iPod in a crosswalk.
Source: findingDulcinea
Yale University Library has a section of its training page devoted to “netiquette” that teaches new employees rules for email communication. There is even a section called “When not to send,” that details topics that should only be addressed through face-to-face communication.
Source: Yale University Library
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