For our last Edtech Group Inquiry Blog we discuss the outcomes of this project. We discuss the shortcuts we studied, why we were interested in this topic, the pros and cons to these shortcuts, and a quote that we thought was very powerful. 

The shortcuts we researched:

  • Spell Check -function that allows users to scan a document for words that have been manipulated
  • Talk to text -(aka: voice recognition technology) -tool that takes audio content and transcribes it into written words.
  • Text to talk -assistive technology that reads digital text aloud.

Firstly we were interested in this topic because: 

  • We wanted to learn how to prevent student’s dependency on technology shortcuts.
  • Does the use of autocorrect and spell check prevent students from learning valuable grammar skills?
  • We wanted to know If students reach a competent level of literacy and grammar skills, will they diminish with the increased use of shortcut tools?

The pros to including these shortcuts in the classroom:

  • Can help students with learning disabilities
  • Students can focus on getting ideas down without worrying about editing
  • Poor or limited motor skills
  • Vision impairments
  • Limited English Language 

The cons to having these shortcuts in classrooms: 

  • takes away from the students’ learning 
  • students stop thinking about the little details of their grammar and spelling
  • students rely on these shortcuts   
  • if you don’t know it, when there is a list of possible correct options given, you don’t know which one to choose.

A quote that we thought was very powerful is: 

“Technology can amplify great teaching, but great technology cannot replace poor teaching” 

(Glowacki, 2015)

Overall, we think this project was very interesting and important to keep in mind in our future classrooms.