Teach Children Spelling with Technology
Using Text Messaging and Email to Encourage Kids to Learn to Spell
Apr 18, 2009
The use of text messaging and email is considered to be affecting the English language in terms of spelling and word choices. Whether this is a positive or negative change feeds the argument as to whether or not to allow kids to use text. In either case, technology is fascinating for all children. The challenge is to find ways to use text and email to encourage proper spelling.
Create a Spelling Challenge with Technology
Since most young children have access to cell phones and computers through family members, they might already be familiar with text messaging or email. They also receive spelling lists from school which they need to study to do well on upcoming spelling tests. These two things, technology and spelling lists, can be combined to create a spelling challenge.
The goal of the challenge can be simple and modified by the needs of each child. Have students practice typing their spelling words correctly into a cell phone or email client and then sending to the specified person, whether a trusted family friend or relative or the teacher. Modify it to be only words with which the student is struggling, especially if the challenge is being met through text messaging.
The act of finding each letter on the typepad or keyboard helps reinforce the correct spelling of the word. Children can have the correct spelling of the word on paper and then have to remember each letter as they find it for the challenge. This causes students to think more about each letter, sound it out and physically type the word.
Promote Proper Spelling and Grammar with Email
Though cell phones can be easily obtained they can be difficult to use for long lists of words. Email allows students to work with more words or even write grammatically correct sentences using those words. When sent to a trusted person, students can then receive feedback via email as to how well they did. This simple act of responding adds excitement to creating the sentences and can sometimes encourage reluctant learners.
Using email is also a more likely activity to be able to use in the classroom. Schools with computer labs and district provided accounts provide a safe place for students to create the email and then send it to a teacher or another school approved person.
Though these activities might not be able to be conducted as part of a class, they can be sent to parents and guardians as ways to help children improve. Another option is for the teacher to set up an email account or have a text only cell phone specifically for the students, and to encourage families to have trusted family friends or relatives with whom the children can communicate. The goal is to use the fascination with technology to encourage children to learn in a safe environment.
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