Incorporating Technology into The Essay Writing Process and Its Benefits

 Author: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan

 

Technology has permeated every aspect of our lives in the twenty-first century, including education. Technology equips educators with the tools they need to create engaging learning environments and gives them access to cutting-edge materials (LSUonline, n.d.). Teachers may design more interactive, engaging classes that accommodate various learning styles and boost student engagement by integrating technology into the classroom curriculum. Students can gain from utilizing technology in the essay-writing process in several ways. For the benefit of their students, teachers can use technology in a variety of ways during the essay-writing process. This essay explores two ways that teachers might use technology to aid students in the essay-writing process.

A. Engaging students through collaborative writing platforms

Students can benefit greatly from collaborative writing platforms by using them to participate in the essay-writing process and improve their writing abilities. With the help of instructional scaffoldings or technological aids, these platforms give students a space where they can work on their essays in collaboration with a mix of productivity and creativity, which can help them improve their communication and teamwork skills and develop stronger writing skills (Chen et al., 2021). It's critical to select a collaborative writing platform that meets both your demands and those of your students because there are numerous options accessible. To support group essay writing, teachers can utilize Google Docs, Microsoft Word Online, or Dropbox Paper. It is possible to provide group essay projects to students so they can collaborate on a single document. But, before students utilize a collaborative writing platform, teachers should be sure to establish clear standards and expectations for how the platform will be used. It offers instructions on how to give comments, share and edit papers, and interact with one another. To ensure that every student is involved and contributing to the writing process, the teacher might simultaneously designate roles and tasks for each student, such as editor, researcher, writer, etc.

How Collaborative Writing Platforms Benefit Students

With this approach, students can share ideas and receive a rapid response from their peers. Instructors can also monitor each student's growth and provide support as needed. By establishing clear boundaries and objectives, assigning roles and duties, providing immediate feedback and assistance, and promoting teamwork and communication, teachers may help students succeed in their writing tasks (Tustin, n.d.). These approaches promote improved writing abilities that are more creative and accountable. By completing their essays at their own pace and on their schedule, students can better manage their time and avoid procrastination. Platforms for group writing can aid in the development of skills including critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.

B. Engaging students through digital graphic organizers

Particularly for planning and arranging essays in a visual and interactive style, digital graphic organizers are a terrific tool for getting students involved in the essay-writing process. These tools can assist students in developing clear essay structures, visualizing their ideas, and organizing their thoughts (Aedy 2013). There are numerous digital platforms for visual organizers, including Popplet, Mind Meister, Canva, Lucid Chart, and Google Drawings. But teachers should pick one that best suits their needs as well as the needs of their pupils. The digital graphic organizers that let students make mind maps or visual diagrams on their devices should be made available to them. Teachers should give students explicit instructions on how to utilize the platform and how to use the organizer to produce an effective essay outline with the right colour coding before introducing digital graphic organizers. They can use it to arrange their thoughts, logically connect them, and make adjustments as necessary. When students use digital graphic organizers to create essay outlines, teachers should offer feedback on how to make the outlines better, offer suggestions for where the students can add more detail or develop their ideas further, and offer support to help the students hone their ideas and structure.

How Digital Graphic Organizers Benefit Students

Digital graphic organizers can give students a visual representation of their thoughts while also fostering critical thinking and organizational abilities. It can also be utilized in a group setting, enabling students to brainstorm ideas for group essays or give each other rapid feedback on their work. Also, it offers a variety of customization choices, which can inspire students to think outside the box, be imaginative with their ideas, and stay on task.

In conclusion, incorporating technology into the classroom is a crucial component of contemporary education. By fostering a more interesting, individualized, and productive learning environment for students, it can help position them for success in the digital era.

References

Aedy, S. (2013). Teaching Writing and Learning with Graphic Organizers. https://www.emergingedtech.com/2013/03/teaching-writing-and-learning-with-graphic-organizers/

Chen et al. (2021). Promoting student engagement in online collaborative writing through a student-facing social learning analytics tool. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Volume 38, Issue 1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcal.12604

LSUonline. (n.d.). The Future of Education: Integrating Technology in the Classroom. https://online.lsu.edu/newsroom/articles/future-education-integrating-technology-classroom/

Tustin, R. (n.d.). Using Technology to Teach Writing. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-technology-to-teach-writing.html