Now, that the kids are out of school I've had a chance to go through some of their work from the past school year. OMG! :wacko: What they are presenting as 'essays', etc is TERRIBLE! From spelling to grammar and back! What's worse are the remarks the teachers write....if a teacher can't differenciate between they're, their, and there - should he/she really be 'teaching' their skills to our kids???? Arrgh!

Now, I understand that we live in a world of computers, after all that's how I make my living, but do we really have to be so stupified that we have to abbreviate 2 and 3 letter words? (You, to, are, etc.)

Many will chuck it off as just being lazy, but I seriously wonder if we actually COULD write a resume or professional letter without spell check?

I took me until grade 10 to be able to tell the difference of when to use 'then' and when to use 'than'.

Anyways, I am fairly good at spelling. I write a lot but I must admit, my grammar has been downsized since I started on computers and I have many issues spelling (that's nto due to spell check, that's due to many years of lazy typing).

However, in the recent year since joining forums, I have come to type much faster and my grammar has improved due to an increase in proper typing and typing proper English.

I'm not perfect, and teachers today are not so picky, but I found my social teacher docked me marks on an essay because I spelled a word the American way -- I spelled it 'color' instead of 'colour'.

I know what you mean. :???:

I've read essays written by people who don't even USE the spell check. I've read personal statements submitted to graduate schools, and people *still* mispell simple words like "because" and can't use punctuation correctly. The worst is having to read a 3-page personal statement that's one long, single-spaced paragraph --- arrrrrgh!

I'm not talking about rough drafts, either. These are final copies of applications submitted for admission. :tsk: It's one thing to make typos on a forum or if you're just online typing messages to friends, but people should at least take the time to use the spell check, have someone edit their rough drafts, etc. for things like essays, personal statements, and the like.

One thing's for sure, when we have kids, they'll be doing basic reading and writing by 5 years old so that they've at least got a good starting point before school. I'll also take an active role in their schooling... but that's mainly because I'm nosey and want to know what they're learning! LOL :D
Of course, I say this now, but if I'm working full time, trying to get the kids all ready for school, washing, ironing, cleaning, etc, etc, I'll probably be too knackered to even look at a book! :wacko:
I think the introduction of pcs has added to the problem. I used to be great at spelling... yet now, sometimes I struggle... :tsk: Guess I'd better give up on my writing career now! :D
I watched a programme on Channel 4 last night... Dispatches Investigations: Undercover Teacher... and there was an undercover reporter being a supply teacher at some schools. These schools were horrendous, fighting in class, shouting, throwing chairs around, total disrespect to the teacher... it was awful! We'd never have done any of those things to our teachers... I only left school 6 years ago and it seems to have deteriorated even since then! :( It's no wonder that basic teaching is not being done in such circumstances.

You're right; walking into a school DURING class hours is like walking into a zoo. There are kids all over the halls and there is deafening noise coming from the class rooms. Not at all what I remember from my school days (back in the cave and all) :lol:

But I also remember that if we handed in a paper on science we were STILL and ALSO graded on our spelling and grammar. Nowadays, if the teacher can make out the content of a paper it seems to be good enough. My kids hate doing home work (at home) because I make them go back and correct every mistake.

My mother did exactly what you just described. Every day after school, she'd sit my little butt down at the table and make me do my homework. Every few minutes, she'd check up on me, and I was never done until she checked my homework over and was satisfied that I'd done it right. THEN I'd get to watch TV, or play with my friends. When I got older and started taking Algebra/Geometry/Calculus it became more difficult for her to check my homework, but by then I had already developed the habits she strove so hard to instill in me. Now, I'm so extremely thankful for it...even though I remember hating it as a kid ("but mom, all my FRIENDS get to play when they get home from school!").

My mother was (and is) a strict lady, lol. But looking back, I appreciate her efforts SO much. Most of the kids I graduated high school with never went to college. Without my mom, I wouldn't be aspiring to be what I am today. Today, I am 26 years old, with a B.S. in Animal Science, a M.S. in Animal Science, and in graduate school working on a PhD in Nutritional Biology. I'm in a couple of committees, including one in which I review and vote on applications to the graduate program. I'm also happily engaged to a great man who would do anything for me if I asked it of him!

I'm not saying all this to brag; I'm just giving a really great example about how parents can have such a HUGE impact on how well a child does in school...and in life. If my mother hadn't been so involved in my studies, there is no way that I would be where I am today.

I think a good majority of kids don't get that kind of involvement from their parents.

Believe me, it shows, LOL! Coming from someone who regularly grades papers at the college level...it really surprises me sometimes how poorly students write. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most exceptional writer, but a lot of kids nowadays don't even take advantage of the resources available to them!

I taught a class last year where the students had to write two papers. They did so horribly on the first one, that when the second assignment came around, I gave them the option of submitting their rough drafts to me early to review them and advise them on suggested changes. I told them that if they did this and made all the changes I asked of them, chances are they'd receive an A or B. Out of 75 or so students, only 4 students took me up on my offer.

Anyhow -- sorry that was so long, LOL! I just had to get that off my chest. *sigh of relief*

Thats crazy.. The world is just so different today then when it was when i was in school. Kids respected the teacher and did their work.. The baddest thing they did was cut class or throw things in class.. Now these kids are bringing guns to school and looking at internet porn! :blink:
what has the world come to? i think as nice as computers are they have really made life SO much easier and kids SO much lazier.... Its sad. people just dont care anymore. :(
SCARY to think THIS is OUR future..... :unsure:

I am really trying to focus on getting my spelling, grammar and pronunciation up. Instead of writing u, i write you and instead of u n me r goin 2 cinemas. I amtrying to write You and I are going to the cinemas. Ofcourse I'll let it slide on text messages as otherwise it takes too long.