Text Slang and Breaking the habit...
How can you stop students from using the text language in the chat box of a synchronous class session? I know there are standards that you can set for S2S interaction, but how do you break them of a habit that is so common place?
Monique
I think text slang is perfectly reasonable for a chat session. I can type fast, but many of my students cannot. Our synchronous meetings are much less formal and so texting is allowed.
I treat the chat sessions as though we were in a face to face classroom. I would expect students to use current slang -- depending on the topic being discussed-- and so feel texting is the parallel in an online setting.
Blanka,
Keeping the professionalism in the communication and using rubrics effectively are both good things. Thanks!
Establishing proper sentence structure and communication with students and also including in your grading rubric, that all communication should be in full sentences is helpful.
Derrick,
Great. Glad you are getting good tips from others in these forum. There are lots of things to try.
Harry,
Excellent tips! I must use them as well.
Janelle and Monique,
Keep sharing your questions and answers. We all want to know what you find out.
Hello Monique,
I also set the standard within my rubric. I usually provide my students with a little grace during the first week of class, but I will always provide a gentle nudge if they tend to use improper language.
Your question also made me think about the strength of my student's writing skills. I am often surprised by the lack of appropriate writing skills by many of my students. It is difficult to assess this lack to the increase in texting, etc or to a lack of proper teaching in previous classes.
Do you experience the same results with your students? If so, have you been able to assess it's cause.
Janelle Marshall
Ron,
Did you spell "bad" as "bar' just to emphasize the bad spelling/grammar? ;-)
I have dealt with this before and just penalize for bar spelling/grammar. Text usage is not appropriate in a learning environment.
Cory,
You're right. We fall into that habit ourselves and we have to make sure we carry on professional communication in class. Thanks for your input.
It is very easy to fall into the habit of lol and text slang. I know that is something I had to break the habit of in order to remain more professional.
Shirley,
Thanks for adding to the conversation. Setting the expectations in the rubric and communicating that to the students is the first step. Thanks for your input.
I do agree with Harry.
I think it is important to actually include within the rubric a categories of specific points that will be taken off if slang is used. In that way, it is very clear what are the standards and certain points will be taken off "if" the text slang is thus used.
Best,
Dr. Shirley Chuo
Kimberly,
It's good to have things to ponder about. ;-) When you have an expectation clearly laid out in the rubric, this helps with moving toward professional communication. Thanks for your input.
Great question and one that I ponder quite often. Many students are used to speaking/typing that way. They don't understand that these habits are hard to break and really frowned upon in society.
I hold my students accountable by having "text speak" be a component on my rubric. Proper grammar is important and I explain that your writing should be a reflection of you. You should want to showcase your BEST work and wren writing in text speak it doesn't do that.
Kim
Richard,
There are many of us who are continuing to support this as well. Professionalism in communication is what we have to continue to emphasize. Thanks!
Michael,
I agree. Even just a quick rubric and examples of appropriate and inappropriate discussion board posting. Thanks for the input.
Completely agree. Slang and abbreviations do not reflect professionalism
I have created a discussion rubric that outlines criteria for good communication and penalizes students who do no use proper grammar or slang.
I have found that when they can loose points toward their grades they are more receptive to these guidelines.
