Word processing- A positive or negative impact on writing
The article “The Word Processor as an instructional Tool :A Meta-Analysis of Word Processing in writing Instruction," presents two perspectives on the impact of word processing on writing. Cirello (1986) claims that users of word processors produce longer documents and develop a positive attitude towards writing. Other researchers such as Rosenbaum (1987) posit that the word processing may have little or no effect on writers. The impact of word processing on students writing is very difficult to measure. One cannot be certain whether student’ positive attitude to writing is directly related to word processing, or whether students their attitude is positive because they simply enjoy working on the computer. Word processing can motivate student to write by eliminating the fears making mechanical errors and miscues, thereby allowing students to write freely and enabling them to focus on higher order skills. On the other hand students’ editing skills may deteriorate because of overreliance on spelling and grammar checks provided by word processing.
Word processing can have a motivational quality especially among struggling writers but word processing alone does not improve students writing. Cochran-Smith et al (1991) identified several propositions which teachers need to note in determining the true value of word processing on writing. They suggest that students make more revisions when using word processing, this is understandable since it is easier to delete and cut and paste information using word processing than using paper and pencil. Writers do indeed have a more positive attitude towards writing when using word processing. As a writer I prefer to use word processing especially when writing long papers ,it is neater and easier to edit furthermore , interrupting one’s thoughts to edit when using paper and pencils can prevent the natural flow of the expression of one’s thoughts.