Information and communication technology (ICT) and digital tools are rapidly developing.
ICT has entered schools and gained mixed reactions during the process. Are ICT and digital
tools going to take over from traditional pedagogical methods? Are digital writing tools more
motivational than a pencil? The aim of this study is to find out what previous research says
about how and if ICT and digital writing tools can increase motivation towards written
production in English teaching in secondary schools. The study has investigated how digital
tools can be applied in English teaching, how digital writing tools affect students' motivation
and what possibilities and problems exist when digital tools are used in secondary schools.
The results in this study shows that digital tools can be used in various ways, i.e. not only
word processing programs such as Microsoft Word. The results also show that digital writing
tools affect students' motivation in a positive manner, for example improving a student's
writing style and engagement with an assignment. There are many possibilities offered by
ICT and digital tools in secondary schools, for instance more updated and available material
but also the possibility to work outside the classroom. The common problems with digital
tools in secondary schools are, according to the results, plagiarism and lack of time for both
teachers and students. Further research could investigate if the new technology is more
motivational than traditional pedagogical methods.
2017.