16 August, 2010
Spell check
After having read Kyle Stein's Blog post about Google and instant spell check, I came to think about how that might effect learners. Blogs do not instantly correct your spelling mistakes. Therefore, despite the 'ABC' (spell check) option available, you are left to your own devises to detect errors. This makes me think about programs such as, Microsoft Word. We have become so reliant on keeping an eye open for that red jagged underline indicating that you have misspelt a word. I think this is one of the many reasons why a pencil and paper are still more valuable to learners than a keyboard. By allowing students to spend too much time using programs such as, Word, are we depriving them of the skills used to identify errors for themselves?
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You've made another excellent point about our overreliance on technology. An essential component of effective writing is the process of thinking, planning, drafting and refining. Although some of these are evident in typing a document, in Word, I believe that using pens and paper to write slows the process down and encourages writers to think more about the texts they are creating.
ReplyDeleteThat too is an interesting point Kyle! Slowing the process down by using a pen and paper is fantastic for learners. It provides a valuble learning process experience that exercises their thinking. It allows for reflection and in-depth thought. Well done Kyle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both when you say that we rely heavily on technology and spell check. I remember a time when one of my teachers in my class said to us students, 'What would happen if you didn't have spell check?'. I remember one of my peers saying, "I think I would die!" which just goes to show how much we depend on the trusty old spell checker. I must admit tho I do use spell check quite alot here at university to check my assignments, however, I have learnt that it is not beneficial to rely on this as being the only way to check for errors, as it is not a fool proof tool. I always make sure I proofread my documents several times before using this tool. An issue is also with making sure that the settings are set to English Australian and not American. It is important to understand that the langauge and spelling differs between the two.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is important to teach students that when an error appears, they need to have a look at the word, make sure it is infact an error and have a go at spelling the word again themselves rather than just reaching straight for the 'Change' button on spell check.
That is true Danielle. Many times I have gone for the 'correct' button as soon as Word activates that annoying red jagged line under my text, without having actually looked at the word. If my settings were set to American English, I may have found myself in a bit of a pickle with a mixed language document. Another very important point to bring to the classroom.
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