University Language Students’ Experience of Handwriting and Typing Assignments: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Abstract: While new technological developments and devices have transformed writing in several ways, little research has examined how learners experience handwriting and typing assignments and writing responses in the examinations in such cases. Basing the data source on in-depth interviews, the current study aims to examine Turkish university language students’ experiences, viewpoints, difficulties and challenges with regard to typing and handwriting assignments and responses in the exams at a state university in Turkey. The findings show that while the majority of the participants preferred to handwrite assignments, they also acknowledged several benefits of typing on a computer such as checking grammar and spelling easily and the fast corrections. The findings also indicate that the participants tried to take necessary precautions to resist the distractions of the digital world while typing and that they did not want to type their responses during the exams, for it would require much more time and fast keyboard skills.

Keywords

• handwriting
• typing
• digital literacy
• writing
• assignments