Digital Literacy Side-Entry: Apps for Revising/Editing

 

Noredink:  Our 9th/10th grade English teacher used Noredink with her classes a few years ago before she left to be a full time mommy.  Unfortunately, this site was rather "buggy" and I would hear no end to the gripes from students who were asked to use this site for grammar practice.  It's one of those "too good to be true" free sites that promises a lot but does not deliver an engaging experience for students.  Instead, many just learned how to "game" the way it was set up and didn't end up learning much. I do not recommend the free version of this app, but I hope that the paid content offers a better experience.

HemmingwayApp:  I am a bit obsessed with this app.  There is no sign up or logins to create.  It is a free tool that allows students to copy and paste their work into a blank field.  Then, the app will highlight places where sentences can be simplified, adverbs can be omitted, and that use passive voice.  I like that it is called "Hemmingway," as this editing tool helps students to be less wordy.  I see myself using this app with my students while we are editing.  Students would show me the original piece, then they would paste in how it was edited in Hemmingway.   I foresee perfectionist students getting frustrated with this app, as it would be easy to want to take every suggestion.  Students need to be assured that it is a robot and a tool. 

Notice how much passive voice I unwittingly used in my review:




Slickwrite:  Slickwrite is also a free editor that simply asks for donations to keep it free.  I find it interesting that Slickwrite uses a sample from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as their test paper.  This is a "slick" move, as it shows the user that even famous authors manage to commit writing faux pas.  Like Hemmingway app, I would teach students that this is a robot, and that sometimes rules can be broken to create the desired effect in writing.  This app has more features than Hemmingway, such as a "structure" button that rates your sentence structure.  This app is best suited for high school or college students, as it points out advanced grammar issues that require scaffolding for students to understand.   I would use this with my AP or senior students. 





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