Xref: utzoo comp.edu:3847 sci.edu:1104 misc.education:1247 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!bellcore!uunet!comp.vuw.ac.nz!cc-server4.massey.ac.nz!A.S.Chamove From: A.S.Chamove@massey.ac.nz (A.S. Chamove) Newsgroups: comp.edu,sci.edu,misc.education Subject: Re: Against educational fads (was: math credit) Summary: Writing skills = word processing? Absolutely not! Message-ID: <1990Dec5.005509.11049@massey.ac.nz> Date: 5 Dec 90 00:55:09 GMT References: <15404@cs.utexas.edu> <15425@cs.utexas.edu> Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Lines: 23 X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2.2 I found being taught to type in High School was one the most valuable skills I was taught, and (because it is faster than writing) saved me time later. I dont think writing should be taught FIRST and typing/Word Processing after, but they should be taught together (like Physical Ed and History). One reason I have for saying this is that Writing will not be taught. The reason for this is that it involves Thinking, and teaching these things are time-consuming, difficult, and involve skills that many (most?) teachers do not have. I have taught at university level for 20 years and been an external examiner at more universities (Oxbridge for example). Students at that level do not know how to express themselves (write). My guess at the reasons for this is outlined above. Perhaps I am incorrect as to the reasons. Maybe others have their own ideas. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Arnold Chamove Massey University Psychology Palmerston North, New Zealand Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com