The Trends and Challenges in the Teaching of Writing
5-minute read
Our world is constantly changing. Therefore, there is no surprise that our educational realm is changing as well. Our classrooms are faced with many changes from technological advances to diverse students to a curriculum that incorporates a skill-based education and lessons that are student-oriented. With these changes, both the trends and challenges in our language arts classroom, as it relates to writing, have emerged. In week one of the Promoting Writing in the Primary Schools course, the class was presented with the trends and challenges that both teachers and students face in regards to writing in the primary schools. The topic was most interesting and informative. We looked at the trends and challenges in writing and how it impacted teaching and learning locally.Trends
- The different modes and subject areas are integrated - Teachers are trying to link subjects so the transfer of knowledge and information is smooth for students.
2. There is the increased utilization of technology- Teachers are presenting students with videos and songs, along with PowerPoint presentations to make the language arts classroom more interactive and engaging.
3. More teachers are incorporating writing strategies- From journal writing to exit slips, students have varied options in how they want to present the information they have learnt.
4. There is the use of the writing process- More teachers are realizing that writing takes time and are allowing students to follow the sequence of the writing process so that they produce error-free pieces.
5. Students are writing for fun- No longer is writing just to answer items on a test, but, students are writing as a form of expression and enjoyment.
We understood challenges, in this sense, to mean anything that may cause a problem or difficulty in teaching writing within the classroom. There was a lively discussion conducted within the session, and the challenges that were presented are, but not limited to:
1. Students are limited to write on clichéd topics- “How was your summer vacation?” and “How to make lemonade” are two examples of clichéd topics students write about year after year that make students uninterested in writing.
2. Inadequate feedback from teachers- Just as there is a process in writing, putting a grade to writing that students produce takes time for a teacher to go through thoroughly that most teachers do not enjoy and do not do.
3. Teachers are only focused on the product, not the process- Teachers do not appreciate taking the necessary steps with their students to produce error-free writing, but, want the published piece to be as close to perfect.
4. There is a reluctance to incorporate technology- Some teachers themselves are not versed with using technology; and, as a result, they refrain from taking technology to the classroom.
5. Students are spoon-fed- Instead of modelling, teachers tell students explicitly what to write, which stifles their creativity and desire to express themselves.
So what do we recommend? Teachers should incorporate Writing Workshop so that time in the language arts classroom is spent on mastering one aspect at a time. Additionally, teachers should use graphic organizers to keep their students' interest with the topics presented.
Until next week Sunday, good-bye.
1. What is the Writing Workshop?
https://www.weareteachers.com/
2. YouTube video on with a Writing Workshop lesson
Challenges
1. Students are limited to write on clichéd topics- “How was your summer vacation?” and “How to make lemonade” are two examples of clichéd topics students write about year after year that make students uninterested in writing.
2. Inadequate feedback from teachers- Just as there is a process in writing, putting a grade to writing that students produce takes time for a teacher to go through thoroughly that most teachers do not enjoy and do not do.
3. Teachers are only focused on the product, not the process- Teachers do not appreciate taking the necessary steps with their students to produce error-free writing, but, want the published piece to be as close to perfect.
4. There is a reluctance to incorporate technology- Some teachers themselves are not versed with using technology; and, as a result, they refrain from taking technology to the classroom.
5. Students are spoon-fed- Instead of modelling, teachers tell students explicitly what to write, which stifles their creativity and desire to express themselves.
So what do we recommend? Teachers should incorporate Writing Workshop so that time in the language arts classroom is spent on mastering one aspect at a time. Additionally, teachers should use graphic organizers to keep their students' interest with the topics presented.
Until next week Sunday, good-bye.
Links with recommendations:
1. What is the Writing Workshop?
https://www.weareteachers.com/
2. YouTube video on with a Writing Workshop lesson
3. Article about graphic organizers
https://www.readingrockets.
Spandel, Vicki (2012) Creating Writers in the Primary Classroom: 6 Traits, Process,
References
Warrican, S. J. (2012). The Complete Caribbean Teacher Literacy. Pheonix: Pearson Education.
Spandel, Vicki (2012) Creating Writers in the Primary Classroom: 6 Traits, Process,
Workshop & Literature (6th edition). New York: Pearson
Excellent piece, it was fun, informative and the pictures added colour to the article. Last week, the trends and challenges were an eye opening topic for us teachers. Reading the information presented in the article solidified many points that were a bit unclear doing the lesson.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next post.
The session last week educated us on the trends and writing challenges in the classroom. However, this article gives us teachers more in-depth details of the trends that are practiced in the education system and reinforce our knowledge of how it can help students in their writing experience. The information on the different challenges in the teaching of writing lavish a stronger explanation than what was discussed in last week’s session. Therefore, it explicitly displayed solid points to that allow us to gain a thorough understanding of the area that was misunderstood. Also, our knowledge expanded more on how the issues of writing can be viewed on students and teachers perspective in the classroom. Furthermore, this is a well-organized and structured post that is captivating to read and conducive to our learning.
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely looking forward to your next post.
JOB WELL DONE!!!