The Internet – the Pros and Cons of Websites and Writing

The Internet – The Pros and Cons of Websites and Writing Josh Keller, a Correspondent for The Chronicle of Higher Education and an expert in Comparative Literature, in his article “Studies Explore Whether the Internet Makes Students Better Writers,” describes the intensely debated topic of whether time spent on the Internet influences students’ abilities to enhance their writing. In his article, he debates the two sides of this argument providing information and sources from each. Keller uses the example of Mr. Mark Otuteye and the extensive study he participated in at Stanford University for the pro side of this debate. The “Stanford Study of Writing” examined all aspects of students writing over a five-year span. Findings from this study are still being examined but are aimed at displaying the upside to out of class writing (mainly done over the Internet) and settling this debate. Some scholars believe that the rise of the Internet in this new generation has created a literature more diverse, varied and miscellaneous than ever before. Keller states, “that this new writing is more engaged and more connected to an audience”(1). He explains that some researchers believe schools and professors should promote students bringing lessons from these new writings into the classroom, creating more advanced, well-rounded persons. Keller presents a shorter study done at Michigan State University, which, over a two week time period, asked students to keep a diary of all writing that they did whether on paper or on the computer. Appealing to Jeffrey T. Grabill, the leader of this study and director of the Writing in Digital Environments Research Center, was how little of the students’ total writing was academic. These other writings, such as blogs and instant messaging, were described by the students as more significant and expressive to them, therefore more important. Mr. Grabill asserts that “People write more now than ever” (2). He believes that this is due to the

Cited: Keller, Josh. “Studies Explore Whether the Internet Makes Students Better Writers.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. Washington D.C. Print. 2009.