During the weekdays of December, we're sharing one tool per day. We're calling it our Google Gifts series. Some of these come directly from Google, and others are tools that enhance Google Apps or Chrome. Today, we're sharing the gift of Grammarly.
Description: What is it?
Grammarly is both a Google extension and a website. You can add Grammarly from the Chrome Web Store. Once added, you can use Grammarly to check your grammar and usage within any dialogue box, on any browser or Microsoft Office. Grammarly works in emails, documents, social media posts and messages. You can also create a Grammarly account, where you draft text within the site. For me, the real power of this tool comes from its ability to check my grammar, spelling, and usage in my everyday online typing (e.g.: forms, dialogue boxes, emails). Grammarly is free for use. There is a paid version that checks for over 250 types of grammatical errors, provides vocabulary enhancements, detects plagiarism, and provides citation suggestions.
Why would I use it? What does it do?
Grammarly, in no way, replaces good grammar instruction in the context of written assignments. Instead, it offers a great resource for students and professionals because of its instant feedback and accuracy. Whether you are writing a dissertation, or an email to a colleague, Grammarly improves communication by helping users find and correct writing mistakes.
With so much communication happening digitally, both students and teachers need to be able to communicate effectively both inside and outside of the classroom. Grammarly helps students do this efficiently and effectively. Teachers should always be promoting digital citizenship and responsibility. This includes using correct grammar and sentence structure when communicating with others. Grammarly is both a teacher and student tool. Personally, I’ve been using it for all my online, digital writing. In fact, I used the website to compose this blog post (ISTE-T.4, "Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility"; ISTE-S.2, "Communication and collaboration)
Student privacy is of utmost importance, so it is important to note that Grammarly is COPPA compliant, and does not collect personal information from anyone unless you set up an account. Students do not need to set up an account in order to begin using Grammarly. Teachers can have the Grammarly extension available to students, and it is ready to use. If you do create an account, Grammarly does collect your username, email address, and contact preferences.
Where can I learn more?
- Grammarly® Answers, an online community for writers to ask and answer questions on English writing.
- Grammarly® Handbook, an online guide explaining English grammar and style.
- Grammarly® Words, an online dictionary-thesaurus hybrid.
- The Grammarly Facebook community and Twitter account, both of which provide fans with fun grammar tips and discussions.
- The Grammarly Blog offers daily tips, fun commentary, and valuable insights from the wonderful world of writing and grammar.
