Spelling homework question? Writing 5x each via computer?

[disney4us2002]

My 6th grader is learning french and for homework he was told to write his vocabulary/spelling words 5x each. A classmate asked if homework could be done via computer or only by hand and the teacher said computer was better as better legible. The idea of writing a word 5x is so that it becomes sort of 'ingrained' into one's memory. Is that the same as typing each word on the computer? I did watch him for a bit and he was actually typing the words five times as opposed to copying/pasting so he wasn't cheating but I still don't think it is the same as hand writing.

What do you think?

 

[Robinrs]

I have to agree, I know I don't remember anything unless I WRITE it down, not type it!

I guess it is the way of the world now, my son's occupational therapist told me that writing will be a lost skill in the near future.

 

[tiggerlover]

I would have to agree as well, there is no better tool for memory than physically writing words down.

 

[hipporina]

Hes better than I would be, and I'm usually not a cheater. I just wouldn't be able to resist a simple copy & paste. Of course, I've always hated busy work and would much rather have to think.

 

[Serena]

Well, typing it would be ok as long as they could remember all the words. But if they missed any, then they would write it. JMHO of course.

 

[Beth76]

I would tend to agree. However, if he's actually typing using the proper form (home keys) as opposed to just using one finger and searching for the letters, he's still probably getting something out of it. I would still probably request that my child write out the words.

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's always been my best way of studying! Typing my notes over and over and over. Have been doing it that way through a 2-year business school and most recently college. It just doesn't stick in my brain if I slowly write or try to memorize verbally. Typing notes is the way for me!

But spelling words? That I would write.

 

[Otto's Doll]

My son has Dysgraphia and has been told by different teachers that it is fine for him to type the words. I agree... as long as there is follow up, such as also quizzing the child on the words verbally to make sure they know how to spell them.

 

[BrerLizzie]

in all honesty, as i high school student.. i'd copy-paste! what is that teacher thinkin?

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

How Was he able to put the accents on the some of the French letters. You either have to have a French keyboard or use the Alt key.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Wow! I guess that is what is coming . . .

 

[LisaZoe]

I was wondering the same about the non-English standard characters and accents. I think that is a big part of "spelling" French words correctly. It's been years since I took French in college but, if memory serves me correctly, there are words that are virtually identical except for the accents - and the meanings and pronunciations are different.

That said, if he is able to use a French alphabet, I think typing would be a good "rote" method of learning. Since he's not learning how to make letters but, instead, which letters to use, it should work as well as handwriting. Of course, each brain learns in different ways so I'd watch his progress to make sure typing is working for him.

 

[disney4us2002]

Thanks guys for all the opinions. I'll have to play this one by ear for a while and see if it's working before I nix the typing. BTW, school has been in for 4 days; no accents on those french words yet, lol.

bonjour
au revoir
comment appelles-tu?
mademoiselle
etc.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to penmanship and it worries me that so much is done via computer these days.. Although I realize that there are some people who truly CAN'T print or write legibly - due to illness, injury or learning disabilities - I think there are many people who just don't seem to care whether you can read what they've written or not..

As for how it impacts the actual process of learning these words, I guess only time will tell.. I have always retained things better by writing them out - over and over - but that doesn't mean everyone is geared the same way..

Will you stop back and let us know how he does on his tests? It will be interesting to see if there really is a difference in how much he learns by using the computer as opposed to writing things out..

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

If a teacher says a child can "write" spelling words on the computer then she is totally wasting her time. There are Visual(seeing), Auditory(hearing), Kinesthetic(movement) and Tactile(touch) modalities that all contribute to the way we learn. By using the Kinesthetic modality(in this case moving your arm and hand when one writes) one creates pathways to the brain thereby helping the brain "learn" the information. The more exagerated the movement, the stronger the pathway. I do not care what subject it is when one is trying to learn somthing new (or memorize) it is much more effective to do it the plain old fashioned way. Once you have created these pathways to the brain, then you can use the computer. Yes, the computer is a kinesthetic modality BUT you are using the same basic movement when you key in the letters. You are not forming the letters.

Even a child with disgraphia should attempt to write manually in conjunction with the computer so his brain begin to form a connection between the manually written and that which is done on the computer. For example, if you have to do it 5 times the sequence would be type, write, type write, type.