professor claims "blogging makes teens better writers"

Despite punctuation lapses, grammar shortcuts and creative spelling, online communication invites critical thinking and better writing, says Purdue University English professor Samantha Blackmon.

"Who cares if a student, to save time, types 'u' for 'you?' I want to see them writing more and if that means breaking a few rules, that's OK."

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The best part is when they get on the computer to write to friends. They don't view it as work or learning, but see it as fun, she says.

By routinely using a blog, a kind of cyber hangout for journaling and information gathering, young writers master sourcing and critical thinking.

"Blogging forces students to be more accountable for what they say," Blackmon says. That leads to more solidly written papers.