To text or not to text, that is the question?

                                To text or not to text, or should I say '2 txt or nt 2 txt'.

There has been concern from teachers and parents over the amount of time that children spend texting and the effect that it is having on their ability to spell words correctly. The good news is that according to a report by education editor Graeme Paton of the UK Telegraph there is no evidence that texting is damaging children’s spelling skills.

Find this report difficult to believe? I know I initially did. With children regularly using mobile phones from as young as 7, and everyday words such as ‘you’ being translated into text spelling as u, or ‘tomorrow’ changed to 2moro it is difficult to comprehend how they are learning to spell words correctly. However a quick look at the latest NAPLAN results show that 9 out of 10 students achieved the national minimum standards in literacy.

Texting is the major way that children today communicate with each other; therefore it is time for teachers to use this form of mobile media as an educational tool rather than see it as the enemy. Teachers need to be creative in the way they use texting as a means to engage and excite students.

Some innovative teachers are encouraging students to use texting as a form of shorthand to quickly jot down ideas for story writing, while others are allow students to use texting to express their thoughts or answer their homework questions. Some educators have also embraced texting by asking students to translate passages from classic literature into texting to demonstrate their comprehension of language. One has to wonder what Shakespeare would make of these translations:

"Romeo, Romeo wher4 Rt thou Romeo?" (Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?)
"2b? Nt2b? ???" ( To be or not to be)

Give it a try, you might be surprised by how much fun it is and by how much yours students will appreciate you trying to reach them at their level.

Just be careful that they (or you) don’t embrace it too much or else there will be more parents concerned by the size of their children’s mobile phone bills like the mother in Cingular commercial ‘bff Jill’ . Enjoy, LOL

References
Associated Press (2005) 2B? Nt2b? Shakespeare gets texting treatment. Accessed 3 October 2011 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10084329/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/t/b-ntb-shakespeare-gets-texting-treatment/#.Tqkqduw4FVg

Garrett, P. (2011) Nine in ten Aussie kids meet national literacy and numeracy standards.  Accessed 4 October 2011 from http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/garrett/nine-ten-aussie-kids-meet-national-literacy-and-numeracy-standards

Paton, G.  (2011) Text messaging 'improves children's spelling skills'.  Accessed 3 October 2011 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8272502/Text-messaging-improves-childrens-spelling-skills.html