Now there are spellcheckers and calculators does it matter that kids today can't add up or spell?

Question

Now there are spellcheckers and calculators does it matter that kids today can't add up or spell?

Answer 1

Yes, it matters.  Greatly.

I once worked for a large insurance brokerage, assisting a new salesperson.  Unfortunately, he had next to no spelling or grammar skills, and it cost him greatly.  He decided to send out a mass mailer (that he spell-checked) to a certain market across the country, without letting me or anyone else proof and revise it.

Two weeks later I received, in his daily mail, one of the letters he sent out.  It had no less than 23 spelling and grammar errors circled, in Sharpie, with a note:  "You're kidding, right?"  Needless to say, he didn't gain that market.  Because he didn't have a working knowledge of grammar and spelling (and because he decided not to utilize his assistants, who did have that knowledge), he cost himself (and the brokerage) tens of thousands of dollars in possible commissions.

Spellcheck and calculators can only get you so far.  They are machines.  They are not able to think or reason, and they only detect the errors that they are programmed to detect.  Unfortunately, math and language are two extremely complex subjects that can't be fully programmed.  It takes a bit (ok, a lot) of knowledge on the part of the user in order to utilize spellcheck and calculators correctly.

Without a foundational knowledge of these subjects, kids will be stuck asking "Would you like fries with that?"  The only other way out is to hire an excellent assistant and treat him or her VERY well.

Answer 2

Mine can and it gives them such an edge over the dross that can't. You must not tell these brain-deads that it does matter because it will make them unhappy. Let them carry on. We can expect some amusing rants in future YA's when they bang on about their lack of progress in the world.

Answer 3

If you have any need to be understood in your written communications then you need to have a knowledge, not just of spelling, but also of grammar.

I cite, as many thousands of examples, questions that are posted on this site that are incomprehensible without huge deciphering skills.

Mathematics matters if you have any wish at all to do things like working out how much money you should be paid for your labour. It also matters if you need to work out how much you should pay for a product or service. It goes on, and on, and on.

Spellcheckers are not always accurate. Even if they were, many people do not use them.

Calculators are very useful, but you do need to have one at your fingertips, at all times, if you are to solve every mathematical problem that will come your way in everyday life.

I would suggest that it does, indeed, matter that kids cannot add up or spell.

Answer 4

Of course it does...I'm especially surprised at the spelling.  It presents a terrible first impression!  For example, my pet peeve is "alot" which is not a word!  It's incorrect a lot! (Get it?)  I can forgive students but have you noticed how many adults are misspelling it?

Answer 5

Kids who don't know their basic facts are limited even though they can use a calculator.  Don't get me wrong, there are some kids (especially those with a learning disability) who are made more functional with these tools.  The limits they encounter involve number sense and having the ability to do higher level math problems.  

I feel that while a spell check is good, it is not fool proof and the person who has the math and writing/spelling skills is more likely to be hired and sucessful compared to the one who doesn't.

Answer 6

It puts people who can write and spell and do simple calculations in their head at a huge advantage.

Answer 7

Please be joking. Please...

Answer 8

well it does matter but it's like absolutely no one cares

Answer 9

Oh no, it matters!

First and most importantly, I would think no parents would want their child to know less! Let the child be gifted with knowledge. Addition and spelling are very basic tools all children should know. I know that many English teachers still require their students to spell correctly, sometimes in the absence of a spell checker. Similarly, addition is very essential for succeeding in mathematics. Many state required math exams have a "non calculator" section, where it is imperative for students to be able to operate without a calculator. Remember, technology is only a supplement to knowledge, it is not knowledge itself.

I hope this helps