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- Title
Word processing programs and weaker writers/readers: a meta-analysis of research findings.
- Authors
Morphy, Paul; Graham, Steve
- Abstract
Since its advent word processing has become a common writing tool, providing potential advantages over writing by hand. Word processors permit easy revision, produce legible characters quickly, and may provide additional supports (e.g., spellcheckers, speech recognition). Such advantages should remedy common difficulties among weaker writers/readers in grades 1-12. Based on 27 studies with weaker writers, 20 of which were not considered in prior reviews, findings from this meta-analysis support this proposition. From 77 independent effects, the following average effects were greater than zero: writing quality ( d = 0.52), length ( d = 0.48), development/organization of text ( d = 0.66), mechanical correctness ( d = 0.61), motivation to write ( d = 1.42), and preferring word processing over writing by hand ( d = 0.64). Especially powerful writing quality effects were associated with word processing programs that provided text quality feedback or prompted planning, drafting, or revising ( d = 1.46), although this observation was based on a limited number of studies ( n = 3).
- Subjects
WORD recognition; STUDY &; teaching of language composition; EDUCATION software; SPELL checkers (Computer programs); VOICE recognition software; META-analysis
- Publication
Reading & Writing, 2012, Vol 25, Issue 3, p641
- ISSN
0922-4777
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11145-010-9292-5