I'm doing a paper on electronic devices in the classroom. Do you think items such as handheld spellcheckers and dictionaries, or that FLY Pentop Computer thing should be allowed in the classroom? I would really appriciate your input.
2006-09-26 18:18:21 · 15 answers · asked by Yippy 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
The concern isn't that sophisticated students won't readily acquire the skills to use electronic media. The logic supporting the use of specialized computing devices in physics and chemistry classes is simple: time management demands it, and it improves the calibration of students and instructors.
In short, the historical trend has been to allow devices that perform complex calculations at which the student has previously and satisfactorily demonstrated manual competence. In other words, if deprived of the technology (computer), the student would yet be able to arrive at the correct answer.
English is in that regard altogether different: homonyms and synonyms make impossible the practical use of software as an aid to learning; moreover, mastery of such fundamentals as subject-verb agreement and punctuation cannot be accomplished with the use of common software.
English as a language has achieved its dominance among the languages of the world not on account of political or economic imperialism, but rather because its power challenges the human mind.
Word processors are useful for their ability to reduce dependence on paper; electronic media offers the opportunity to store vast amounts of intelligence (data) in relatively tiny places.
For elementary (up to perhaps 4th grade) writing, most commercial spellcheckers and dictionaries suffice as aids; beyond that, the student is on his or her own. Most grammar-checking software is useless to anyone but the worst of elementary writers.
If electronic dictionaries are not more limited in scope than the Webster's encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the English language, use them. The same applies to comprehensive thesauri. Obviously, such devices wouldn't be available to a student during a test of the student's native spelling and/or vocabulary skills.
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2006-09-26 18:57:47 · answer #1 · answered by wireflight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do feel that items like the electronical speelchecker could be essential in a classroom however, there may be a reason why they shouldn't be allowed in the classroom. It (spellchecker) allows you to become totally depended upon it which in the long run will make you less worried about ever being able to learn how to spell any word without the help of a spellchecker.
2006-09-27 01:25:18 · answer #2 · answered by cristina m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the class. If your in an english class, sure go right ahead with the handheld what not.
As for the FLY pentop, personally, it's way to slow for my lectures at university. Paper and Pen do fine.
2006-09-27 01:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by o0twiggles0o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. It's good to use whatever devices we have to advance our human capabilities. The rub is honesty. If if's a spelling test, the spell checkers need to be off and similarly for other scholastic situations. Use the device to help except when the point the device supplies is the exact one that is being tested.
2006-09-27 01:26:02 · answer #4 · answered by stumpy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I do not think they should be allowed as the students need to know how to spell and take notes on their own and look up words in a dictionary. Need to learn how to use the brain first.
2006-09-27 01:28:27 · answer #5 · answered by mysticideas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do. They are part of the world now and will be available to use for homework and later on, in the workplace. It is not as if the students will never have access to these items again. They are here to stay.
2006-09-27 04:35:18 · answer #6 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, however, I think that the "old-fashioned" tools, like dictionaries (books), thesauruses, and such should also be taught and not forgotten in this technological age.
2006-09-27 01:24:28 · answer #7 · answered by ruby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technology is there for the masses to use. I wish I had some of this technology back in the day when I went to school. Instead,we had to be abused by the nuns if we couldn't spell.
2006-09-27 01:21:10 · answer #8 · answered by wanninonni 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but I also think that kids need to know how to do it with out technology. What would happen if all technology stopped working? Now that would be a good question.
2006-09-27 01:26:50 · answer #9 · answered by rera1397 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do because technology is advancing so fast that it is more important to be resourceful and know how to use the technology, than to memorize spelling, like it was for previous generations. You lucky students!
2006-09-27 01:21:09 · answer #10 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋