Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
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Friday, October 13, 2006
Cursive may be toast (good riddance!)
Actually, it’s not just cursive writing, it’s handwriting at all. Kids are learning keyboarding and other digital entry platforms at younger and younger ages, says the Washington Post. Cursive was used by just 15 percent of 1.5 million essay writers who took the SAT last year.
I’m already on record opposing cursive writing, although my primary objection as a southpaw is that cursive is a tool of right-handed oppression.
About a year ago, I made a conscious effort to give up all handwritten note-taking. It’s mostly been an amazing success. With a laptop, I’ve found that I can take notes almost anywhere. I have always typed much faster than I can handwrite, so I find my notes are better and more complete than ever. And the days of having to go back and decipher my wrench-wristed writing are mostly gone.
The only downside is that there are still some circumstances in which I must take handwritten notes and I’ve noticed I am slower than ever these days.
I’m certain our kids will have more and better tools for note-taking, and that hand writing will become more unnecessary. Which, as I’ve said, is fine with me. What about you? Are you one of those sentimentalists who pines for curvy penstrokes on lined yellow paper?
(Image credit: searle.ss.uci.edu)
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Teaching and Learning
How to get an A in an AP/Honors class
From time to time, I like to read a website aimed at high school kids trying to get into college. On the message boards, it’s clear from the questions and comments that the average reader is a top student searching for an edge to get into first-rate universities.
This week there was a great question posted by one of the students— what are the best strategies to get an A in your very hardest class? Here are the replies from two other students:
—Read the textbook, assigned or not. Take thorough notes on reading and lectures, go over them, rewrite/type them if you need more review, and have a highlighter system.
—Make flashcards. Even if you don’t use them, writing them out helps a LOT and they’re a quick way to review/test yourself.
—Do your homework. And do extra problems/questions, if that helps.
—Be engaged in class. Participate in discussions, and try to get yourself interested in what’s going on.
—Even if there aren’t discussions in class, discuss things with people. Try classmates, friends, your parents….
—Get a tutor if you need one, or ask your teacher for help.
—Understand how you’re graded.
—Read. Just read a lot in general - this improves your writing SO much. Also, learn to diagram sentences. Even if you have all the facts write, (hopefully) you’re also graded on how you write, so you want to write well.
—Aside from the obvious “listen/do your work,” become interested in what you’re learning. Build rapport with your teachers, drink lots of coffee, and create mnemonics for everything. Confidence/outlook definitely plays a huge role…if other people think that you’re smart, you’ll feel the pressure and rise to the occasion, etc.
I thought that was pretty good advice. Readers, feel free to add your own tips and pass this list on to students who might find it useful.
(Image credit: www.ehs.sbac.edu)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Teaching and Learning
