Febtuary 13th...
Last week we looked at adaptive and assitive technologies. Many of you wrote in your personal blogs that you saw these as powerful tools for students with challenges.
Assistive technologies can also be used to assist all types of students, including those without physical or learning disabilities. One of those technologies is spell check.
Should all students be able to use spell check when they write their papers? Or is this a tool that promotes an illiterate generation? Just how much is too much when it comes to assitive technologies?
posted by Jeff Whipple at 2:30 PM
34 Comments:
Gail: There should be free and unlimited use of assistive technology for students who have disabilities. This is very important for students with physical, mental, reading and writing disabilities. Regular students should not be allowed to use spell check. They should be taught (without computer use) proper spelling and grammar. They should not rely on the computer but their own skills since they will not always have a computer when they have to do written work.
I really haven't had too much experience with spell check considering I just started using the computer recently. But I think that spell check is great when doing assignments but I found that it doesn'nt pick up every mistake. I still rely on actual people to proof read my work. Even without spell check, if I proof read my work I still won't see my mistakes anyway. There are programs that little children can use to learn how to spell. Spell check is more for older kids to help them work faster on their papers or projects, but no matter what I still think that people are more reliable.
Jeff,
I honest believe that all these new programs, and Assistive technologies are useful for everyone, Its all about time, and if something is there to use, then why not! If you can get time back, by using these Assistive technologies, then why not! I do believe though, that it does kind of impair you, because every since I found out about spell check,, I am a really bad speller now, I just rely on spell check to fix my mistake! Which is not a good thing, because it has kind of handicap me in a way. Even though i have reliesed this, i still can't go with out my spell check!!
Rose:
Yes, I do believe that students should be able to use spell check. I don’t think spell check promotes illiteracy. Illiteracy has been with us for many generations and it will still exist for more generation to come. Illiteracy is associated with learning disability, (it has nothing to do with spell check) or lack of motivation on some parents to encourage their children to continue with their education. I think it all begins at home, the more encouragement you give children with education and show an active involvement with their progress in school. The better chance for children to receive a better education and beat the odds of being illiterate. With new technology to assist students with literacy and (spell check is one of them) I think is good. We all want to our children to accomplish something in their lives. One is to finish high school then go on to University or College.
from carla ward. Yes I do believe that spell check should be used by students to a certain degree,but sometimes to depend on it is too much. Always using spell check can also hinder some things such as the thing that you; Jeff have mentioned, which, is cursive writing. When a young child has consistently done their assignments on the computer and using spell check all the time ,I find that they would loose their Ability on how to correctly use a pen and even worse , the student or child may be unable to write or print correctly, and also that; when you write , you are learning on how you put your own thoughts on paper; so whereas if a child does not use their writing ability to have a creative mind and also that their penmanship would suffer.
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This is just a test.
Depending on what ever the assignment is that day. Spell check should clearly be up to the teacher. She should decide wether this will reinforce their litteracy skills or simply make life a little easier for them. Personally, I don't know what I would do without it. My schooling was in French therefore, it's kind of nice to have a little back up.(resource)
I think it's up to the teacher. If you want to see what your students can write regardless of the mistakes, then I wouldn't let them use spell check. On the other hand, if you want them to write a perfect paper with no mistakes, then you'll let them use spell check. I personally think that we should expose them to spell check, just to let them know how to use it. Let them know that they shouldn't become dependent on it. Let them use it for practice, or if it's a lesson you're doing. Tell them it will be a handy tool when they get to high school or university where they will be writing a lot of papers. That's all for now folks.
Mary
I think that students should use spell check only if there are writing there paper and they want to write a perfect one. Students who use spell check should be tested once a week , so that the teacher would know which student was having a difficulty time learning how to spell words.I think that it is a tool that promotes illiteracy, because the student is not learning how to spell words correctly.
Sure, I think students with learning disabilites should be able to use spell check to assist them when it comes to writing. But under what circumstances should other students be able to use spell check? Well, if a student is writing a paper on the computer teachers can not stop them from using spell check but personally I would encourage students not to rely on it all the time because it is still important to be able to spell words on your own.
I would think that the use of spell check within the classroom could be used responsibly if taught that it is not the "easy way out". The students will have to be taught to understand the usage is the same as doing math with a calculator. Use it when you are required to, but not for every little question. Teach them that the real spell checker comes from them understanding and knowing their writing skills, same as a calculator, they need to know first their math skills, then they use a calculator when the teacher assigns that part of the work for it. Kids will understand and learn to use both responibly if they are shown reasons for when to use it and when not to. I don't think it will create illiterate children, if they are taught the skills they need first and understand certain things about the spell checkers and calculators and other figuring machines. I also think that it would be assistive to those who need extra help in spelling and writing, especially if there is text to speech available on the spell check. It allows them to hear verbally how the word is spelled correctly, and then see it in front of them. After a few times of using the spell check it may actually help them pick up the spellings more accurately. Melissa
Wednesday, February 14th 2007:
Quite a storm out there Jeff! my technology is not working up a storm here tonite for sure! :) Melissa
Good Evening Jeff, fellow classmates & Happy Valentine's Day: Should all students be able to use spell check when they write their papers? I believe that student should be able to use it, that is why it there to correct spelling mistakes or help spell the word correctly. When in doubt use the spell check, or the dictionary. We were taught if your not sure look for it in the dictionary! What's the difference? Is this a tool that promotes an illiterate generation? I don't believe it promotes illiteracy, BUT; promotes literacy and independence. It will help students to be able to look for the proper spelling of the word. If one was to write a letter or story on a paper, he/she wouldn't know when they had mispelled any words. However, with the use of the spell check they will noticed they made a mistake and hopefully he/she can correct the spelling error and the next time won't make that same error. Even with this way of doing our blogs, there is no spell check. We as university tend to make typos and it doesn't correct our typing, the spell check sure would come in handy right now. We know how to write it's just that we tend to make typo errors, same thing happens to the kids too! I don't think that there is a problem with too much assitive technologies. It is there to assist the individual, to assist in their daily life. If it can be a little less stressful or easier, well use it! That's what it's for!! Later....
I feel that spelling and grammer should be taught first, once children know all they need to know, spell check should be introduced to the student afterwards, they should be comfortable in both.spell check doesn't work anyways when there is two or three words that sound the same.:)
I'm really up in the air as to whether students should be allowed to use spellcheck in particular and assistive software tools in general, with the exceptions of extreme disabilities. I mean, things like spellcheck were invented to help decrease the time needed to edit one's work. However, like anything else, it should be used sparingly and the basic skills still taught accordingly, so that these tools are merely complimentary to production and not the sole means of production. I agree with a few of the other ladies when they say that the basics still should be taught so that they do not 100% rely on the tools, but just use them to help. They still are able to use their own skills, and in some cases even grow those skills.
I use spell check myself along with grammer check amongst a variety of different things like translaters and software wizards to make the process easier when I am working. Time is luxury for me in this day and age, especially when a semblence of a life beyond school and work (although I have been told that once you are a teacher.. that is your life. 24-7!) is a necessity to maintain one's sanity, so I feel no guilt in using those tools. But.. and this is a big but!.. I've learned how to spell and use grammer correctly so I do my own editing when I do have the time to do so. I still do my own editing after spellcheck anyway, because like one lady had mentioned, people are still better editors.
Whether we should let the student use spellcheck is up to the teacher's discretions. If it's used just to help and compliment, why not? But if it's used as an excuse not the have to think for themselves, then the student's should be limited. We are only cheating them out of a proper education if we are not teaching them to read and write properly are we not? So the the individual may be left with feelings of inadequacy and frustration caused by "not getting it" or "not getting it right" no matter how hard they try. Spellcheck won't change that. Teaching will.
Spell check is a great tool but has it's flause. In the elementry and middle school level spell sheck should not be used.This tool gives the students a the felling that what ever they do is right. Todays students think that the computer is always right. The thing is the computer only does what it is told to do. Spell check will not correct the grammer mistakes. There and Thier are spelled correctly but if used wrong makes the sentence wrong. The spell check will not pick this out. We can't let them get dependent on something that will only make them weaker students.Weaker becdause they will not be able to find thier own mistakes and learn from them.
kids these days use spell check all the time,at home and at school. i personally dont think they should use it, because they will never learn on their own how to spell, I believe they think its the fastest way of fixing their mistakes. but it may not always fix them the right way. when i think ahead i believe more kids will rely on spell check. but they still will have to know how to read and to read they have to know how to spell.
Do I feel that students should use spell check. That is a really good question. It all depends on how much. I have to admit I personally am not fimiliar with the computer so I do not rely on it myself. But you wouldn't want the students to be dependent on it either. As they will not know proper grammer and spelling. It is a cool tool but you wouldn't want the students to rely on it. I always say you have to learn from your mistakes.
My opinion is that we are very fortunate to have the assistive technology, such as spell check, and other equipment for those who are less able to function. I think that this stuff ables people with disabilities to feel adequate and capable beings. However, i strongly believe that educators need to take caution when deciding when is the right time to allow students to utilize spell check. Personally, i would not agree to it that my daughter be able to use spell check consistantly. I want her to study and practise her words and to also have her spelling tests up until she is, at least, in high school. I think that spell check should only be used as a reenforcer and not for primary usage.
Thats my opinion!
Assistive technology is a wonderful and powerful tool for the hearing and visually impaired. This technology is also used for students who are struggling with reading. I do not think that this would cause them to become illiterate. Assistive technology is only one method of support the student gets. There are other supports that they get from Teacher's assisstants, etc... in a course of a day so that they recieve additional help. "ReadPlease" would be very helpful to the students in class. It would allow them to hear what they have written when it is unedited, and then hear their story after it has been edited. This would allow them to compare the two.
When it comes to spell check, I would definitely have to say that it should not be allowed until students have reached High School/University. This way, the student has come to understand and learned clear and effective writing. The option of spell check was developed in the States and they did not take into account the differences in spelling with Canadian words. This was pointed out to us by a University professor.
I think that spell check should be used at a certain grade, the younger grades should be looked at by parents or educators. I don't think it'll cause people to be illiterate, people should already know how to spell, and if they know how to use it they can see where their mistakes are and fix them.
This is the second time I post this so it had better work LOL!!! I think it is very important for children to be good at spelling and before they are allowed to use spell check they should have good grammar and editing skills. After they hone these skills I think they should be encouraged to use spell check. I mean it would be kinda ridiculous to be sitting at a pc with a dictionary in hand when its just right there.
Depending on what grade a student is using spellcheck, I Think that it can be detrimental for a student because it does not make them think. It is too easy to hit the spell check button and make everything ok. We are becoming too dependent on computers to do things for us. We must learn from our mistakes....On the other hand once students know how to spell, it is not such a bad thing, not everyone is a perfect speller.
well i think that young students like in the lower grades shouldnt be able to use spell check because they have to learn how to spell and learn it right but if there was spell check then they would just always depend on that instead of them knowing how to spell it. but the students in high school should be able to because they already know how to spell and all that.
Spell check can be a useful tool for people with learning diabilities and physical disabilities and they should use assistive technologies such as spell check and read me and zoom text whenever needed. For early learners a solid foundation in literacy and vocabulary should be mandatory and assistive technologies should be limited to upper middle school and high school to make completing assignments easier and quicker.
I think spell check is a useful tool to be using when writing papers, or any kind of writing that is important. Students/kids who are in the lower grades shouldnt be able to use spell check because thats when they are still learning how to spell and use the right words. Spell check is useful if u know how to use it, and what to watch for because if u spell a word correctly but use it in the wrong way it isnt helpful. And now... a lot of people are using abbriviations for everything..such as..BRB, LOL, TY, YW...etc... so all in all i think we're getting lazy and take advantage of spell check because instead of typing out the whole word, u can change the abbriviation to a word in the matter of a few clicks...
hi there this is my second one i am glad i went back to read more comment. i notice mine did not record.
Should we use spell check as assitive technology. presently the kids are tested everyweek in spelling words, and reading, this is where most kids pick up spelling. It should be used in class and writing papers, but do not depend on it, because computers can also make mistakes. Proof reading your work is a good idea and using backup spell check is okay. I use spell check and really do not like to proof reading my work.
I don't think that spell checker should be used by students to check their work. To a certain extent, it can be useful for minor typing "errors" but not for words that they do not know how to spell, or even know the meaning for. Even if the spell check was done, how would they know if they used the proper tense or word, even grammer plays a role in this. When I was in school and we first started using word prossesors, we had to use a dictionary to make sure that are words were spelt right. I am a person that usually spells a lot of things wrong, sometimes it is just an error becauase i'm typing too fast or mt mind is getting ahead faster than i can type, and proof reading is all that needs to be done.
I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO USE SPELL CHECK FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SOME TYPE OF DIASABILITY.I dont think that children who are capable of reading, and writing should have to use it, because they are capable of doing so. If children are offer to use nothing but spell check then how will they learn? Children would become illiterate. There is so much involved with proper grammer that spell check couldnt possibly be able to pick it up. I wouldn't totally rely on spell check, what ever happened to proof reading?
I think that spell check should be used when you are editing your final paper. Only to make sure that there were no typos. As for using it with the children who are disabled for instance children who have dyslexia(I just used the spell check on Microsoft Word to check the spelling of this word)I think it would be beneficial for them. As for the children who have no problems with spelling and reading, they should be told when they are introduced to the spell check that it's only a tool to edit and that it should not be heavily leaned on.
hey jeff,
I think that children shouldhave some access to spell check to a point, they do not have to rely on it all the time but they can use it when they are stuck but it would also be nice if the child went out and made sure they could understand the word that they were using. Many ppl take advantage of being able to take advantage of of soem of the things that computers offer.. we still need to check for ourselves if the word was spelled correctly.eventually we will not even know how to spell because eveyone will depend on the com to get them through which we do not need, childrne need to learn on their own how to spell and use programs because that takes away the whole point of trying. we need to intergrate old and new together to a point that we will not lose the ability to write and that we are updated in whats going on in the technology world.
I think the kids should be allowed to use spell check to a point in school. It is a useful tool and helps those who are not good spellers. As long as they are actually looking at how the word is spelled and trying to remember how it is spelled correctly....but it does not help with the words that can be used differently (ex. there, their ) students need to be aware in which text they use each. But it is helpful when you are writing a paper and want to correct you mistakes.
I think spell check can be used when they write most of their papers to some pt. I think it should depend on scores students have in there english class. With a proper lesson plan in the Language Art Classes I think spell check can be used for most (but not all) papers.
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