Spellcheckers
Spellcheckers can be lifesavers! Even as adults, none of us are perfect
spellers. Using a spellchecker is a convenient
tool for correcting misspelled words before sending a document. I often use the spellchecker on Microsoft word
before sending emails or spelling something on the board for students to see. Another way I use the Microsoft Word spellchecker
is when I need to submit something such as a blog point or discussion board
post. In this case, I often like to type
out what I want to say on Microsoft Word document (as I am doing to type this
post) and allow the spellchecker to find any misplaced words.
However, there is debate on whether
students should be allowed to use spellcheckers. Johanna Sorrentino, author of Is Spell Check Creating a Generation of
Dummies? suggest that students aren’t mastering the fundamental principles
of how language works. “In a world where
almost everything is automated, there's a heightened concern that kids aren't
mastering the fundamental principles behind the way things work—from levers to
locks to the written language.” (Sorrentino, 2008) Sorrentino also related one study conducted
by a team of doctorate students from the University of Pittsburgh in which spellcheck
was used to proofread papers by two groups of students: high scoring SAT
students and lower scoring SAT students.
“… results were significant, especially when you consider that the
experiment was meant to show that spell checkers were more effective for those
with high verbal abilities. Instead, their results showed that both groups were
worse with the spell checker on.” (Sorrentino, 2008)
All in all, a spellchecker is a
great tool for anyone to use but students of all ages should still learn the
fundamental rules and patterns for spelling words correctly (this is an absolute
must. Therefore, parents and teachers,
especially for younger students, should be cognizant of when and how students use
this tool.
Sorrentino, J. (2008, January 11). Is Spell Check
Creating a Generation of Dummies? Retrieved December 1, 2012, from
Education: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/spell_check/
