Using Technology to Support Effective Writing Instruction in the ELA Classroom

Technology has become an integral part of community and personal literacies (Kist, 2009; Leu & Kinzer,2000) , but the use of technology during writing instruction is still limited and infrequent (Applebee & Langer, 2011; Harris, 2011) . Integrating digital tools into the ELA classroom has the potential to support effective writing instruction by bridging the gap between home and school writing practices, influencing the development of ideas, and providing authentic purposes and audiences. The affordances provided by digital tools can influence both what and why students write. The apps described below could be used at various stages of the writing process during guided, shared, and independent writing with all students: