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An analysis of the orthographic errors found in university students’ asynchronous digital writing

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Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the orthographic errors found in university students’ asynchronous digital writing. A university and a society belonging to the twenty-first century require students and professionals who can use their language correctly in any context, device and mode of communication. The research was based on a sample of 1237 digital interactions in discussion forums and emails between students of the National University of Distance Learning on subjects related to academic work. We applied a descriptive quantitative methodology by means of a statistical and lexicometric analysis of the written texts and multiple regression analysis, related to four independent variables: gender, studies, interlocutor (professor/student), and digital device (fixed, mobiles) and three orthographic sub-levels (punctuation, accentuation and spelling). The results show that there is considerable room for improvement in the orthography of university students’ asynchronous digital writing. A total of 71.3% of errors were not conditioned by independent variables but by ignorance of the orthographic rules or incorrect use of the language.

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Acknowledgements

This research forms part of the work carried out by the Alfamed group (EuroAmerican Interuniversity Network for Research on Media Competences for Citizens), with the support of the Coordinated I+D+I Project called “Citizens’ Media Competences in emerging digital media (smartphones and tablets): innovative practices and educommunication strategies in multiple contexts” (EDU2015-64015-C3-1-R) (MINECO/FEDER), and of the “Media Education Network” of the State Program for the Promotion of Excellence in Scientific-Technical Research, the State Subprogram for Knowledge Generation (EDU2016-81772-REDT), financed by FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) and Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Didactics and School Organization, Faculty of Education, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 14, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Esteban Vázquez-Cano, Ana Isabel Holgueras González & José Manuel Sáez-López

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  1. Esteban Vázquez-Cano
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  2. Ana Isabel Holgueras González
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Correspondence to Esteban Vázquez-Cano.

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Vázquez-Cano, E., González, A.I.H. & Sáez-López, J.M. An analysis of the orthographic errors found in university students’ asynchronous digital writing. J Comput High Educ 31, 1–20 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-018-9189-x

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