Super Spell Check?
This link will take you to a web site advertising the Co Writer Solo, a computer program that the site promises will help struggling writers create better papers of any genre. From the description, it seems to be a sort of super spell-check. As students type, it will help them figure out how to spell words, use words correctly, and even write grammatical sentences. By choosing a topic in the “eWordBank,” the program will display a list of words that match that particular topic. The program also has “flexspell” and word prediction capabilities that help the student spell correctly the words they want to use. The company, Don Jonston Inc., promises that students using this program will increase their vocabulary and write with more detail and "richness."
I am not sure what to think about this program. It does seem that it would improve vocabulary. However, I am forced to wonder if a program that does as much as this one claims to do would really help a student in the long run. Besides all the handholding, do we really want students consumed with worries about basic spelling and grammar errors while writing? Isn’t that part of the revision process? Also, I have to ask - at what point is the software limiting the child’s writing instead of expanding it? If a child picks a topic and then is given a list of words that encompass that topic, where is the creativity or critical thinking that writing should be teaching? Wouldn’t students be tempted to use the words from the list even if some of the words provided do not fit their particular paper? What is the likelihood that a child will use many words outside of the provided list? Where is the motivation to do so?
Finally, there is the cost question. This program retails for the starting price of $325.00 per computer (1 – 4 computers). More than 50 computers will give you a bargain price as low as $89.00 per computer. This isn’t cheap. Even if this was the greatest writing aid ever, how many public schools could afford such expensive help? The students that statistically need the most help (those in poverty) are unlikely to get it.
Again, this is in response to an ad found here: http://www.donjohonston.com/catalog/cow4000d.htm. Please feel free to check it out.
I am not sure what to think about this program. It does seem that it would improve vocabulary. However, I am forced to wonder if a program that does as much as this one claims to do would really help a student in the long run. Besides all the handholding, do we really want students consumed with worries about basic spelling and grammar errors while writing? Isn’t that part of the revision process? Also, I have to ask - at what point is the software limiting the child’s writing instead of expanding it? If a child picks a topic and then is given a list of words that encompass that topic, where is the creativity or critical thinking that writing should be teaching? Wouldn’t students be tempted to use the words from the list even if some of the words provided do not fit their particular paper? What is the likelihood that a child will use many words outside of the provided list? Where is the motivation to do so?
Finally, there is the cost question. This program retails for the starting price of $325.00 per computer (1 – 4 computers). More than 50 computers will give you a bargain price as low as $89.00 per computer. This isn’t cheap. Even if this was the greatest writing aid ever, how many public schools could afford such expensive help? The students that statistically need the most help (those in poverty) are unlikely to get it.
Again, this is in response to an ad found here: http://www.donjohonston.com/catalog/cow4000d.htm. Please feel free to check it out.
posted by Spelunker at 10:11 PM
1 Comments:
I just read through all of your posts, and wow. You have a lot of good information on here. Thank you and keep up the good work!
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