Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

A recent survey by the National Literacy Trust found students that blogged and maintaining profiles on Facebook and other social networking sites were more likely to enjoy writing and believe they were good at it. The online survey involved 3,001 pupils aged 9-16 from England and Scotland.

The survey reports that 79% of young people write regularly and that technology-based formats were the most used. For example, 82% of young people wrote text messages at least once a month, 73% wrote instant messages, and 63% wrote on a social networking site. Of non-technology based writing, 77% wrote notes or answers in class or for homework at least once a month followed by 52% writing notes to other people. 56% had a profile on a social networking site while 24% had their own blog. 57% of those who blogged said they generally enjoyed writing compared with 40% who did not. Those who had a blog or profile on a social networking site also appeared to be more confident in their writing ability: 61% of bloggers and 56% of social networkers claimed to be good or very good at writing, compared to 47% who had neither. They also held more positive attitudes towards writing and computer use, and viewed writers more favourably with nearly 60%  believing that computers allow them to be more creative, concentrate more and encourage them to write more often.

Apparently, such web activity was also credited with encouraging children to engage with more traditional forms of writing. Those who were active online were “significantly more likely” to write short stories, letters, song lyrics and diaries than those who had no online presence, the study found.

Given the present Home Access initiative, it’s perhaps interesting to note that students who receive free school meals in this study were not more or less likely to enjoy writing or to write regularly. There was no relationship between socio-economic background and enjoyment of writing, writing behaviour, linking writing to success, views of writers, computer use, or attitudes towards computers. However, pupils who did not receive free school meals rated themselves as better writers than pupils who receive them. The lack of confidence in writing among these pupils is also reflected in their attitudes towards writing, with more free school meal pupils than non-free school meal pupils agreeing with the statement that they have trouble deciding what to write.

The report concludes that, “it is paramount that the school curriculum reflects and utilises writing forms that young people enjoy and engage with in order to demonstrate that writing is more than a compulsory task: it is an essential life skill.”

The full report is available as a pdf.

Image credit: James Emery

Tags: blogging, socialnetworking, writing, survey, literacy