Investigating the Effect of Computer-Administered Versus Traditional Paper and Pencil Assessments on Student Writing Achievement

Abstract

The effect of using a computer or paper and pencil on student writing scores on a provincial standardized writing assessment was studied. A sample of 302 francophone students wrote a short essay using a computer equipped with Microsoft Word with all of its correction functions enabled. One week later, the same students wrote a second short essay using paper and pencil with access to dictionaries. Mean scores were compared for essays on each medium as well as scores on six specific criteria. There was no significant difference between the overall mean scores on the paper and pencil essays and those written using a computer. Significant differences favoring the paper and pencil essays were seen on the ideas, punctuation, and syntax criteria. A significant difference in favor of the computer written essays was seen on the orthography criterion. Possible practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.