Sadly but not surprisingly, teachers aren’t doing a good job of instructing students in the art of writing, according to a Vanderbilt University study. Charles Sipe refers to the study and recommends blogging as an apt activity for stimulating students to write. If you’ve kept up with my blog, you’ll know that I completely endorse and practice this strategy.

Sipe explains:

One simple way that could help students to become more effective writers is to encourage student blogs. Blogs require students to write long form compositions that require analysis and critical thinking. Since it is publicly viewable, students will want to proofread for correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is also a fun way to express yourself and can even encourage a passion for writing.students-writing

Unbelievably, the study indicates that only rarely do high school teachers require students to write anything more than a paragraph, which makes me wonder how any critical writing can be happening at all.

Photo by Susan NYC

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