When are poor language skills just not good enough?

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by streetsmart, Jul 30, 2010.

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  1. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I really don't care about being correct. I know I need some work but I don't stress myself out about it. I do the best I can and move on.
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    My opinion is that you should have the smarts to run your words through a handy-dandy spell check/grammar check before you hit "submit." In a DL situation, everything is written- nothing is spoken, so if I say "They're joining us over there with their boat" then no one knows or cares about my spelling/useage...but if you WRITE it, it's all out there. (and IMO, up for scrutiny!!)

    I use Microsoft Office, and it would catch a their/there/they're error. (along with a bunch of other errors!) Also, I tend to write in passive voice- I KNOW I do it, I sometimes catch myself and almost always do it anyway!?!?!? I'm a pretty terrible speller too... but, Microsoft Office or WordPerfect both call me on it. By using the tools I have built into my computer, not only do I send out a more carefully prepared document, but it makes me a better writer. I also believe participation in an online forum (like this) helps develop writing skills, not so much in a formal way, but in a general way that allows you to practice expressing your ideas using written words. If I'm I in a class forum (as the teacher or the student) can generally tell who has had practice writing within just a few posts, and I'm sure the student can too. If I were a better writer than my teacher I might be horrified lol.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 1, 2010
  3. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I always type my discussions into Word first so that I can use the spelling tools. I'm great with grammar, but I stink at spelling! :) After that I can copy and paste it into the discussion forum.

    -Matt
     
  4. obecve

    obecve New Member

    Then your credibility will always be lacking and your opportunities limited...
     
  5. cjzande

    cjzande New Member

    When I was in college, I worked in the computer center. The faculty/staff member in charge of it knew just about everything there was to know about computers (and this was back in the early 90s when PCs were just starting to invade the world), but his language skills weren't spectacular. Pretty soon, he had me editing his letters, memos, etc., and I always wondered what the other students would think if they knew... Heh.

    Actually, the funniest thing about it was when I graduated, I asked him for a letter of reference. He wrote it, then told me to go ahead and "clean it up" before he signed it. It was *very* awkward writing my own reference letter, even working from his original!
     
  6. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I disagree.
     
  7. streetsmart

    streetsmart New Member

    So is it then okay if your students don't really care about being correct??? If you as the teacher don't stress yourself out about being correct, what validity does the course have???

    And that is a terrible attitude in my opinion.
     
  8. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I'm not a teacher.

    I'm just saying I do my best and don't get stressed out about missing small things. I just hate when grammar ninjas pop up on messageboards bashing people.

    Trust me; I’m working on cleaning up my writing and communication skills.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 2, 2010
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's funny you say that, as I like to think the ideal recommendation scenario is when the person asked says, "Sure, you write the first draft and I'll personalize it and get it back to you."

    -=Steve=-
     
  10. rickyjo

    rickyjo New Member

    I suspect Perfectionism is generally wasteful. I'm happy with a B if it will take half the time of getting an A. It may prove difficult to quantify the benefits of that A, but often I can accomplish more elsewhere. In general, I would rather complete all tasks imperfectly than leave some unaddressed or incomplete.
     
  11. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    The implication being that A students drop the ball in other areas of life? I'd disagree.
     
  12. cjzande

    cjzande New Member

    I think it would be a real stretch to say people who get As are working *twice* as hard as those who get Bs.

    @Steve: Heh. My boss gave me a letter that made it sound like I was the Best. Employee. Ever. and I kept thinking I needed to tone it down, or any prospective employers were going to think I wrote the letter myself, which was partially true. :eek:
     
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Pretty harsh, I'd say. Maybe the grammar nazis should step off a bit.
     
  14. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    Once I read the thread completely, his statement didn't sound as harsh. I agree with his statement when it comes to teachers with bad grammar.

    I think he thought I was a teacher. :eek:
     

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