1. ICT and Writing Skills
Lynn W Zimmerman, PhD

2. What is Writing?
A process of communication that assumes that the reader can interpret the symbols (letters and punctuation) that the writer has used May be done using a variety of tools Involves grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, formatting and other writing conventions.

3. Writing as a Process
The writer communicating effectively with the reader on different levels
to inform
to persuade
to express feelings
May be
formal, such as an essay
informal, an to a friend.

4. Writing Difficulties
Spelling – letter/word recognition (sound-spelling correspondences)
Capitalization and punctuation conventions
Writing conventions
Constructing a sentence
Word order
Paragraph construction
Do you stick to the point or do you go off on tangents?
In English - a linear, chronological pattern

5. Teaching Writing Lower proficiency learners
enhancing letter recognition
practicing sound-spelling correspondences
moving from letters and words to meaningful sentences and larger units such as paragraphs and essays
Higher proficiency learners
working on different types of writing such as argumentative or comparative essay structure
still need guidance on sentence formation, organization, and general mechanics

6. Paragraph Format
Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Concluding Sentence

7. What is a paragraph?
a collection of sentences that work together to develop and support a central idea typically contains one main idea and is organized with a beginning, middle and end. made up of strong topic sentences supported by facts, statistics and logical reasoning contains transitional words uniting supporting sentences and a concluding sentence that rephrases the main idea starts on a new line and usually is indented

8. Writing Longer Texts Steps to produce a good piece of writing
pre-writing
drafting
editing
publishing
Writing is a process that results in a product.

9. Writing and Your Students
Not just teaching the writing process
Also involves teaching the vocabulary and structures they need in order to do it
After they have written something, they should also check what they wrote, proofread it
Is the text organized well?
Check spelling, grammar, word choice

10. Proofreading Strategies
Use a checklist
Correct verb tenses?
Facts supported?
Good word choice?
Visual strategies
Cut the work apart and physically rearrange it
Use colored markers to hi-lite items
Ask a friend to read it
Read it aloud

11. Publishing
A hand-written paragraph A dialog A typed 5-paragraph essay Read aloud to the class

12. Assessment Informal practice writing exercise
check but not grade
Culmination of a writing unit
receive a major grade for it
Before they start students should know
whether the piece is going to be graded
and how it will be graded