ENCOURAGE WRITING!

Posted on 23. Mar, 2012 by Joan Azarva in Articles

One thing that was overwhelmingly apparent in my years as a Learning Specialist at community college was a global lack of writing skills among students. Mind you, I’m not referring just to those with learning disabilities here but rather to college students at-large.

My colleagues at 4-year colleges echo my sentiment. How are students able to graduate high school with such poor written expression and mechanical skills? It is apparent that something is awry. Mastering a skill requires frequent practice. Is enough writing being assigned in high school? Is that writing thoroughly critiqued? If so, are the students heeding their errors and doing revisions?

Students with language-based learning disabilities usually deplore writing, seeing it as a tedious, laborious chore. As teachers and parents, we need to think outside the box and do everything in our power to EXCITE our kids about the writing process. I recently came across a website that does just that. MAKE BELIEFS COMIX is for everyone from children to business executives who want to tap their creativity and as the site’s creator puts it–”spur our energies to find solutions to befuddlements”.

In addition, Make Beliefs Comix recently added a “Special Needs” section which features ideas and tips sent to them by those who use the site with students who have a wide array of disabilities. They even introduced new comic characters with physical disabilities to reflect the diversity of users, including those with special needs.

Now, what are you waiting for? GET WRITING!

Tags: helpful website, high school to college transition, post secondary success, writing