INFLUENCE OF TEXTING ON FORMAL WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AMONG HND STUDENTS OF OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC IREE

Abstract This research was conducted to examine the influence of texting on the formal written communication of HND student with particular reference to students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. The objectives of the study are; to examine the extent at which student of OSPOLY use texting instead of writing communication; to examine the extent of the performance of students in written communication; to examine the extent of correlation that exist between texting and the student’s communication skills; to identify the activities that can be designed to enhance the written communication skills of students; to examine the extent at which the school curriculum can be fashioned to assist in improving student communication skill. The research employed symbolic interaction theory and expectancy violations theory as the theoretical framework. Survey method was employed in carrying out this research, 150 questionnaires were distributed out of which 140 were successfully completed and returned. Analysis was done with the use of simple percentage. Findings in the research revealed that constant use of SMS language by student has high potentials of negatively affecting their writing skills. It is however recommended that Students should be sensitized on the need to avoid SMS language in formal context of communication such as examination through special programmes conceived for such an objective. Such sensitization should not only be done in examination situations.