New book describes how we continue to destroy our language. Quote:
Political writer Don Watson fears that the English language is being strangled by modern jargon, cliches, and “weasel words.” The breaking point? When his eleven-year-old granddaughter received a classroom assignment to write a personal mission statement, followed a year later by her first English essay—to be created in PowerPoint.
My kids are entering school now, and if there is one topic which brings me to a boil is this one. Why does an 11 year old need to learn PowerPoint? Why does my five year old have computers in his classroom?
Our educators have forgotten (or perhaps never realized) that a good education means:
- Being able to read and synthesize what was read
- Being able to express oneself clearly in writing and in speaking
- Not being afraid of math and science, even when career interests are elsewhere
Computers just turn reading and writing into a video game. School systems should eliminate their student IT budgets and use the cash to buy books, pens and pencils. The time being spent teaching PowerPoint can be used to read an advanced book, or write a better essay, or teach a more advanced science/math class. If they insist, then equip them with simple word processors (not Word) and spreadsheet (not Excel) programs.
I'll leave my rant about grade inflation for another day.
I challenge any reader to give me a good reason why an 11 year old needs to learn PowerPoint. Bonus for anyone who can tell me why it makes sense for an 11 year old to write essays [sic.] in PowerPoint.
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