Impact of Text Messaging on Spelling Proficiency and Written Outputs of Grade VII Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe Department of Education Order Numbers 83, series of 2003; series of 2000; and 70 series of 1999 reiterate that cellular phones are not allowed to be used during class hours in elementary and secondary schools nationwide so that students remain focused on their studies and learning distractions are minimized.METHODSThe descriptive survey method was used to describe the profile of the respondents while the Phi Correlation Test was utilized to determine the relationship between performance in written outputs and frequency of texting; spelling proficiency and owning a cell phone; and spelling proficiency and frequency of texting.RESULTSIt is revealed that the majority of the respondents are13 years old and male; a greater number of girls are cell phone owners. Communicating with relatives is the top reason for using cell phones while receiving emails is the least. Most of the respondents use their cell phones daily and they send messages several times a day. Cell phone owners are better in spelling and writing than non-cell phone owners. The relationship between the performance in written outputs and owning a cell phone, the performance in written outputs and frequency of texting, and the spelling proficiency and frequency of texting are not significant, while the relationship between spelling proficiency and owning a cell phone is significant.DISCUSSIONSThe students need to be aware of the positive and negative effects of using a cell phone in their studies. Teachers may also incorporate the use of cell phones in some instructions like a game and may continue enhancing students' spelling proficiency since it is related to reading fluency and reading comprehension. Parents may monitor the study habits of their children. School administrators may set rules on using gadgets in school. The study may be done in a longer period with a larger number of respondents who will be observed for at least one grading period.