Since we were talking about school and technology

MommyToAshley wrote: I heard on the news this morning that many states (including the one I live in) will now allow students to use "spell check" on state writing tests. However, typos will be counted against their grades.

Wow... I think this will really change a focus in the earlier grades, from spelling and penmanship to typing and word processing skills. Ashley will be happy, she has horrible handwriting and spelling is probably the least favorite of her subjects. I'd be in troulbe, my typing skills are horrid... I always have tons of typos and rely way too much on spell check to catch them.

moped replied: WOW is right - things sure have changed

Jack uses a MAC at school and told me when I buy my macbook he will help me with it

MommyToAshley replied:
LOL, how cute is that!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: That just doesn't make sense to me! How are kids supposed to learn to spell if they don't even have to try? Even as an adult... as much as I appreciate having spell check, I can tell it's made me a little sloppy in my spelling. When I first started using it I almost never had a misspelled word, and now I often do.
I've been pretty shocked at how bad kids' spelling has gotten - Dh's two nieces are friends of mine on facebook and they never spell anything right in their statuses - and they're 15 and 18. It's not just internet speak either, it's just plain bad spelling. This is only going to make that problem worse, imo.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
AGREED!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I agree too. However, I guess it's reality that we are becoming a much more technical savvy world as time passes. With that...I sit on the fence.

MommyToAshley replied:
I agree, I used to be fairly decent at spelling, but now I just have to "kind of" get it right and spell check will do the rest. Ashley still has spelling every week, but many schools teach to the tests. It will be interesting to watch and see if the focus changes.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
Yes, that's true. I just wish we could be moving forward technologically (had to use spell check with that word... lol!) without losing the basics like knowing how to spell correctly!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes, very much agree!

lisar replied: I dont think they should be allowed to use spell check. Typing something onto the computer is fine but cut off the spell check. Either way our kids need to learn how to spell. I think this is wrong, they should not be allowed to do it. I am all for technology in the class rooms, but that is taking it a little to far.

luvbug00 replied: i will be the first to admit my spelling is horrid. In a paragraph of 4 sentences i garentee have at least 5 red bar thingys. (i'm up to two right now btw..oh make that 4)
anyway. i think that is very counter productive. what next? dont bother learning your abc's??

A&A'smommy replied: I don't think that's a good idea... technology is great and I don't think schools use it enough but spell check??? REALLY?