To: Jack Clarke who wrote (1235 ) 5/6/1998 2:11:00 AM From: Wizzer Read Replies (1) | Respond to
Jack, I have a problem with the use of spell checkers in this qualified way. When I was in University, for example, calculators were not allowed on most exams (only on certain ones where it was needed to speed up progress through the test), nowadays children use them in Grade 8 or earlier to do their homework. The same goes for English, children are using computers to type their Grade 9 essays to get bonus points for neatness. They use a spell checker, and I know it does not get all errors, but it helps them to make sure it is pretty close. A spell checker, like a calculator, in the hands of a person who knows the language can be extremely useful and helpful with typing mistakes. However, in the hands of those who have not grasped the language, it only compounds the spelling problems. A calculator, in the hands of someone who can't work it out, is the same situation. I had to teach a Grade 10 student last year how to do long division showing all the work. He had no idea, because he had always used calculators, and never practiced actually doing the long way.
