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Study Claims Texting Is Good For You

Check out this article in US News and World Report about how texting can be good for students. I’m serious. It seems like you can find a study to prove just about anything. I’m waiting for the one that says “Smoking Contributes to Long Life” or something equally as nutty. The report says a new study from California State University found that texting can actually “improve teens’ writing in informal essays” and other writing assignments. How informal are these essays? I mean, can you use abbreviated words and text-speak? Why would you want students to write in this way, when writing skills are already problematic?

Teachers are also using texting as a way to educate students about language comprehension. One class has kids translate passages from classic literature into text-speak. Can you imagine trying to translate Shakespeare into text-speak. Something tells me it’s not nearly as lyrical. There is of course the other aspect of texting that the piece points out as an advantage: texting classmates with questions. Reaching out to a friend via text when you’re having trouble with your homework is a good example of how texting can help with your education. Do you have an example of using texting for school? Let’s hear it!