How Does Writing Affect Learning?
I read an interesting article this morning (via MiddleWeb). How does wriitng affect learning? A review of the research by Robert Bangert-Drowns, Marlene Hurley, & Barbara Wilkinson.
MiddleWeb says: This brief paper on the onnections between writing and student achievement summarizes a review of 45 studies that compared normal classroom instruction to writing-intensive instruction on the same content. Key finding: “When writing prompts urged students to reflect on their learning processes - the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed - the educative effects of writing were substantially improved.” (From “English Update,” Spring 2003, National Center on English Learning and Achievement.)
I like the focus on getting students to reflect on their learning processes. I tried to do that with my NewsQuest student group as we wrapped up the year. This is crucial for them to make connections to their learning and to improve. I think this is one of the reasons I love weblogs so much - a space for students to write, reflect, and think. I want to keep striving to keep the focus on writing tasks that will stimulate thinking, both for myself and the students.
I’ve always believed that teaching writing was one of the most important priorities for teachers, regardless of what content area you teach. I’ve also seen the teaching of writing go by the wayside as more and more demands are put on teachers for accountability based on one achievement test! It’s not that teachers don’t realize the importance of teaching writing, they do! However, because of the time required, many times writing gets put aside. This is frustrating and alarming!
Other relevant blurbs from the article:
What appears to matter more than the amount of time given to an assignment is the nature of the writing task, the kind of thinking that gets done. One factor reliably enhanced the effect of writing-to-learn: When writing prompts urged students to reflect on their learning processes - the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed - the educative effects of writing were substantially improved.
and
In general, these studies and other research suggest that writing can benefit learning, not so much because it allows personal expression about subject matter as because it scaffolds metacognitive reflection on learning processes. And the cost need not be great: even relatively brief tasks can boost learning. Additional research and classroom investigation should further clarify how writing benefits learning.
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