JTLA: The Effect of Computers on Student Writing

Last year, The Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment (JTLA) published a meta-analysis of 26 studies of student writing (K-12) which were conducted between 1992-2002. Here's what the researchers concluded:

For educational leaders questioning whether computers should be used to help students develop writing skills, the results of the meta-analyses suggest that, on average, students who use computers when learning to write are not only more engaged and motivated in their writing, but they produce written work that is of greater length and higher quality. (my emphasis)

In fact, "on average students who use computers when learning to write produce written work that is about .4 standard deviations better than students who develop writing skills on paper." Apparently, students using computers revise their own writing more throughout the writing process, consult with their peers, and get earlier feedback from teachers. The result is better writing.

Keep using those computers, folks!