Spring Break
Simplicity's downfalls
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Forum
We are the technology generation, and with this come both pros and cons.
Everyone has heard at some point in life about school in the "old days." One example of this is remembering when class registration could not be done in 10 minutes online.
There was, in fact, a time when there were no computers to do homework on or calculators to help with those math or science classes when needed. Back then students learned how something was computed, and they could use nothing more than formulas and the simplest calculator.
Yes, it is probably true that our generation has it easy, but how does this simplicity affect us?
How many of us even notice when Microsoft Word auto-corrects a misspelled word? Even if we realize there is a word with red squiggles underneath, we can simply right-click and get the proper spelling. Do we even know how to use a dictionary anymore - one that we do not access via computer?
Poynter Middle school in Hillsboro is currently asking parents to buy spell-checkers for class. The Associated Press story said "the device will be used in class for spelling and vocabulary exercises. It will also be used for homework and state writing assessments."
So, in this middle school they are trying to make it mandatory for their students to take the easy way out. Some parents are saying they cannot afford the $17 device. Isn't a pocket dictionary cheaper?
Aside from the pricing one parent said, "Personally I'd rather have my son figure it out on his own and then ask for help rather than using something like that."
Another parent argued, "I'd rather [my daughter] spell it right than incorrectly ... So anything that helps I'm for."
However, a parent brought up the question of the difference between a calculator and using a spell-checking device.
Is this the same thing? Since many students no longer know how to solve a sine and cosine math problem without a calculator, does that make it okay for the same thing to occur with spelling?
Given the technology era we live in, spelling is quite important. While we're sending e-mails, writing memos or anything of the sort - will the device hinder an important ability? It can already be said that the dependence on calculators has hurt our generation. Why else would most cell phones come with calculators? To allow us to do simple math, or because we can't do simple math on our own?
Everyone has heard at some point in life about school in the "old days." One example of this is remembering when class registration could not be done in 10 minutes online.
There was, in fact, a time when there were no computers to do homework on or calculators to help with those math or science classes when needed. Back then students learned how something was computed, and they could use nothing more than formulas and the simplest calculator.
Yes, it is probably true that our generation has it easy, but how does this simplicity affect us?
How many of us even notice when Microsoft Word auto-corrects a misspelled word? Even if we realize there is a word with red squiggles underneath, we can simply right-click and get the proper spelling. Do we even know how to use a dictionary anymore - one that we do not access via computer?
Poynter Middle school in Hillsboro is currently asking parents to buy spell-checkers for class. The Associated Press story said "the device will be used in class for spelling and vocabulary exercises. It will also be used for homework and state writing assessments."
So, in this middle school they are trying to make it mandatory for their students to take the easy way out. Some parents are saying they cannot afford the $17 device. Isn't a pocket dictionary cheaper?
Aside from the pricing one parent said, "Personally I'd rather have my son figure it out on his own and then ask for help rather than using something like that."
Another parent argued, "I'd rather [my daughter] spell it right than incorrectly ... So anything that helps I'm for."
However, a parent brought up the question of the difference between a calculator and using a spell-checking device.
Is this the same thing? Since many students no longer know how to solve a sine and cosine math problem without a calculator, does that make it okay for the same thing to occur with spelling?
Given the technology era we live in, spelling is quite important. While we're sending e-mails, writing memos or anything of the sort - will the device hinder an important ability? It can already be said that the dependence on calculators has hurt our generation. Why else would most cell phones come with calculators? To allow us to do simple math, or because we can't do simple math on our own?
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