Graphic Organizers can help students focus and plan their writing .
TECHNOLOGY IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM
By Ashley Westhoven
Using computer-based programs in the classroom is not an uncommon practice , but more recently teachers have noticed a decline in students ' ability to write thus sparking the conversation about trying to incorporate computer-based programs into writing instruction . This notion is driven by student ’ s lifestyle differences than those of their predecessors . This wide-range dip in writing has also become increasingly notable as the Common Core standards were put into place and the hope that more of an emphasis will be put into not only teaching students to write but also teaching students to write to learn . Not only are students now being expected to write , they are now being assessed on their writing from a computer-based assessment . This new type of assessment platform opens up a whole new area of teaching for classroom teachers .
Differentiation of the writing process through the use of technology allows writing classrooms to provide tools and resources that help students reach their writing potential , increase student engagement , and foster their confidence as they transition from traditional paperpencil writing methods to computer-based writing assessments . Apps , Virtual graphic organizers / story webs , Google documents , and web resources are examples of the most common ways of differentiation through the use of technology .
Graphic Organizers can help students focus and plan their writing .