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> On the topic of cheating: In 6th grade spelling class, we had to write out our weekly spelling words 5 times each. We were allowed to handwrite, or type it ou

by vxNsr 5y ago

> On the topic of cheating: In 6th grade spelling class, we had to write out our weekly spelling words 5 times each. We were allowed to handwrite, or type it out on a computer and hand in the printout. I wrote a computer program where I would input the spelling words as an array (only typing them once), and it would output a text file for me to print out and hand in. Wow, I wonder what the goal of that exercise was. Copy/paste has been part of windows since at least 95, no? Regardless, I’d think the main goal of forcing repetitive writing is improving handwriting and word recognition, which require a pen(cil) and not a keyboard.

abotsis 5y ago
I did this in WordPerfect in dos, even though I could program in pascal. Getting a compiler on the same computer as a printer back then was the biggest chore :)
- exikyut 5y ago
  *Imagines writing a PostScript program that interprets Pascal, so the programs can be compiled on the printer* *Runs rapidly into the distance, screaming* (Just found this thread, I know you'll probably never see this ;P)
DrBoring 5y ago
:) While writing my original post, I tried to mention that copy/paste wasn't common knowledge at the time, but couldn't form a communicative sentence on the matter. I certainly didn't know how to copy/paste at the time. This was in the days of Windows 3.1, and I was programming in QuickBasic 4.5 on DOS. I think the word processor I used when typing may have been Word Perfect. > Regardless, I’d think the main goal of forcing repetitive writing is improving handwriting and word recognition, which require a pen(cil) and not a keyboard. I think the goal was for us to memorize spelling of the word. Maybe improved handwriting was a sub-goal, I don't know. By that age, I don't think teachers really focused on our penmanship. I consider word recognition to be more of a reading skill. I was a lazy student. Spelling was never a priority for me. I never did well on tests because I never studied my spelling words. I was more into math and science. My parents never hassled me about my bad spelling test grades.
HWR_14 5y ago
> Wow, I wonder what the goal of that exercise was. Clearly, to learn to spell words. In much the same way that kids have to practice arithmetic and saying "I just used a calculator to get the results" is fine in real life but not when you want to learn what addition is.

by vxNsr 5y ago

abotsis 5y ago

I did this in WordPerfect in dos, even though I could program in pascal. Getting a compiler on the same computer as a printer back then was the biggest chore :)

exikyut 5y ago
*Imagines writing a PostScript program that interprets Pascal, so the programs can be compiled on the printer* *Runs rapidly into the distance, screaming* (Just found this thread, I know you'll probably never see this ;P)

DrBoring 5y ago

:) While writing my original post, I tried to mention that copy/paste wasn't common knowledge at the time, but couldn't form a communicative sentence on the matter. I certainly didn't know how to copy/paste at the time. This was in the days of Windows 3.1, and I was programming in QuickBasic 4.5 on DOS. I think the word processor I used when typing may have been Word Perfect. > Regardless, I’d think the main goal of forcing repetitive writing is improving handwriting and word recognition, which require a pen(cil) and not a keyboard. I think the goal was for us to memorize spelling of the word. Maybe improved handwriting was a sub-goal, I don't know. By that age, I don't think teachers really focused on our penmanship. I consider word recognition to be more of a reading skill. I was a lazy student. Spelling was never a priority for me. I never did well on tests because I never studied my spelling words. I was more into math and science. My parents never hassled me about my bad spelling test grades.

HWR_14 5y ago

> Wow, I wonder what the goal of that exercise was. Clearly, to learn to spell words. In much the same way that kids have to practice arithmetic and saying "I just used a calculator to get the results" is fine in real life but not when you want to learn what addition is.