Texting Improves Literacy - lol

Don Clark may or may not be serious with his new post, Texting Improves Literacy. This does have implications when considering mLearning in school systems. This does remind all designers out there to continually be aware of basic grammar and spelling rules. The intesting parts of this study where the improvements in phonetics- especially considering podcasts I've been working with my wife on for the Spanish class she teaches.

Is texting responsible for all of this poor spelling and literacy? NO.

In a study by Coventry University, Mrs Beverly Plester and Dr Clare Wood took 11 year olds and asked them to
translate from text to English and vice versa, then put them through standards tests in spelling, reading and writing. The concluded that, “the use of text message abbreviations is linked positively with literacy achievements”.

Regular texters strong in literacy

The results showed that far from impairing spelling, reading and writing; texting correlates well with strong performance in the use of the English language. In fact, regular texters were strong readers and writers.

Increased awareness of phonetics?
It is thought that texting may increase their awareness of phonetics, which leads to better spelling, reading and writing. This is in line with the research that shows phonics as being far more effective in teaching literacy.

http://www.coventry.ac.uk/latestnewsandevents/a/2341