Teachers Say Digital Tech Affects Student Writing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The informal style and sloppiness of texting and social media is finding its way into students' writing, and teachers are learning it's a problem they need to address.

A recent study by the Pew Center's Internet and American Life Project finds 68 percent of teachers surveyed say the Internet and mobile technology lead students to take shortcuts in their writing.

Mara Corey teaches advanced placement writing at Irondale High School in New Brighton. She says she's seen a decline in writing skills over her 13 years of teaching.  She thinks students have "sloppy habits of mind," and the Internet feeds into that.

On the positive side, 78 percent of teachers surveyed say the Internet and social media have brought out more personal expression in their students.