Clemson Professors' Proposed Application May Help Children's Writing Skills

Two Clemson University education professors have received grants to create a computer application that will help children develop proficient writing skills.

Assistant professors Matthew Boyer and Anna Hall of Clemson's Eugene T. Moore School of Education were awarded $24,839 to help them design UpWrite, a computer application based on the process approach to writing that combines word processing with embedded assessment, individualized learning, real-time sharing and reporting.

“UpWrite is founded on process writing, an evidence-based, highly used pedagogical method that involves pre-writing, drafting, revising, proofreading and publishing,” Boyer said. “UpWrite is a digital version of process writing that uses technological tools to support student learning and teacher activity.”

“Our goal is to give students the means to direct their own learning through opportunities to reflect, conference and share their work, and teachers the tools to effectively manage, teach and evaluate students’ writing,” Hall added.

The UpWrite proposal was among 29 funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through its Literacy Courseware Challenge, which encourages organizations to propose groundbreaking ideas for personalized digital learning tools that will help fourth- to eighth-grade students master the Common Core State Standards for literacy.

“When we look at students at this age, we see eager learners who are ready to take on more responsibility for managing their own learning,” Boyer said. “UpWrite is designed to connect them with the information they need, just when they need it, and will help them to integrate their newly acquired knowledge into their writing.”

With the grant, Boyer and Hall will work with developer Breakthrough Technologies to create a business plan and project roadmap for UpWrite. They also will use grant monies to continue building a prototype of the application to pilot in classrooms.

The proposal was chosen by the Gates Foundation based on the potential for positive student impact, feasibility of use in school settings and capability of the team to deliver on its proposed project.

Hall teaches early childhood education and Boyer focuses on digital media and learning in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education in the College of Health, Education and Human Development.