Reading and Writing . . . Why Such a Deficit?
All--
With the increased presence of social media and texting, many students are losing their ability to communicate in full and complete thoughts? How can online professors embrace technology while underscoring the importance of traditional writing and communication norms?
I have had many interactions with students who like to use different methods of connecting with me. Some of them include: Instant Messaging, Cell Phone texting, and voicemail among other contemporary forms of communication. I embrace them and let students know that there are many different ways they can contact me ~ even though it might not be during established office hours. I do not, however, although to "get away with" using substandard English when communicating with me. Often, I will ask the student to restate their question or request again before solving or answering their question/request. Students forget that the instructor is not their peer and that slang and substandard English is not acceptable to use, especially with the instructor. I politely ask them, not trying to reprimand or humiliate them, but to help them to stop and think of what they are saying and how they are saying it. It is my contribution to enabling my students to become more professional in their communications.
Most of my students are teachers seeking an advanced degree in Education. I find it very frustrating when teachers lack the ability to write grammatical sentences and paragraphs. They are the result of an educational system that has downgraded the importance of reading and writing for years. It is the ultimate example of "social promotion" when people graduate from high school, college, and are licensed by their states as k-12 teachers and cannot read or write at a 12th grade level. My students are victims of the system and they end up perpetuating the victimization on the next generation unless something changes.
I point out that they have to be role models for their students. I also tell them that although other forms of communication may work in some contexts, if they want to grow into leadership positions within their field they will need to master the skills of written communications. It is difficult to tell someone who has been told that they are okay for years that they need improvement. I'm really not sure how to motivate them to work on their skills although our university provides supplementary learning labs to address the problem. I think they perceive me as a "nag" and wait to get the next instructor who will ignore the problem in the same manner that all of their previous instructors did.
I would welcome suggestions from others who have faced this problem.
Stephen,
So true! The delivery should not impact the rules of communication. Great ideas.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Trude,
I don't know what to say!!!! I do understand that it is hard to push good communication skills when their other instructors are poor communicators. I think you stick to your guns regarding the communication. You should have them run a discussion and make their responsible for good communication.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
Nice question. I actually use the 140 character limit of twitter to teach writing concisely. They have to get a business point across before within the character limit. It is not easy. I would also give them a social media page and have them sanitize it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I also find that students tend to have poor writing skills or are so used to using text message lingo and abbreviations these are showing up in discussions and submitted assignments. One thing that I have done is add the following in my welcome to students:
Proper Writing:
In this electronic age it has become easy to forget that in the classroom and in the professional world that text message slang and abbreviations should never be used. I do not want to see “u for you†“ur for you are†“thx for thank you†and so on. So do not use these or any others on the discussion boards or in your submissions.
I have found since I added this a great reduction in students using text message slang and abbreviations.
I think it is important to be the example and provide an example for students to model. Meaning, instructors must model the behavior they wish students to demonstrate, by using proper language and grammar.
Also, I have often created a demonstration piece so students can model their writing. In addition, I would make it clear to the class that proper language is required at the onset of the course.
Pamela,
I agree with you. You have to set the expectation. . . and hold them to it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Quiana,
Great answer! If you want good writing particularly in communications you have to model it and students have to model it with each other.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Great topic!! I think the way I try to stress it is in the same manner that I discuss using professional email addresses on resumes and dressing for success during interviews. I stress the importance of "being the part". The saying "if want to GET the part you've got to BE the part" is about perceptions. Looking good, speaking well, communicating effectively (as opposed to talking to hear yourself talk or merely saying something just to be heard) helps others to perceive you in that manner as well. And, since perception is 9/10 of the law in the workplace, how people perceive you will ultimately affect how they treat you. It is important to represent yourself as someone that can separate personal and professional when it comes to business--not just in terms of overtime and paid days off but in terms of communication, appearance, and attitude.
Mia,
Great point. We were always told to dress for the position you want not the one you have! Professionalism is so important!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree with you: People don't know how to communicate! They write in "text-speak" and short little blurbs. It is difficult to determine what they truly mean.
I thank the student for their thoughts and ask them to elaborate and give an example. I sometimes ask them to pretend they are talking to me.
Tina Cressman
Tina,
Great point. I have used an exercise where they have to make a point in 140 characters. It is pass or fail and it drives home the point of good communication.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Although recent technological developments have created a change in casual writing, applications such as texting are a different register of a language. Generally the register is based on an existing language as a sort of shorthand.
I correct things such as requesting a capital "I," although the capitalization of I is an anomaly. I try to explain to students That readers of their academic and professional work will assume that if they are given something to read that it will make sense. Just as someone might not speak the same way at a funeral and a sports bar, there are different registers of written language.
Marcia,
You make such great points. I do teach "economic use of words" using twitter type exercise; students have to get a point across in 140 characters. It does make a point!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The joy of reading is a gift that can contribute greatly to a person's writing abilities. In an age of texting and quick communications, grammatical errors are no longer seen as such a big deal anymore. This can weigh heavily on a student's writing and reading skills for the professional environment.
Shannon,
True, reading does affect writing. I think we can use the quick communications as a way to teach concise language. Can they get their message across using good communication skills. It is not that easy. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I find if I set expectations early on and hold them to it that can help set the tone for the entire class. I put together a guide with appropriate or inappropriate communication examples. Students can then reference the different and refer to this.
I also take points off for writing (yes even in math class) and find that after week 1-2 the work and communication drastically improves if they know I will be looking at it.
Leah,
Great idea about the guide of good and bad practice. I am sure that is very popular reading for your students. It is important for students to communicate about Math. I have started talking about the role of numbers in writing. Most students do not think about numbers being an adjective.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
