[etni] [FWD: any dictionary is a tool]

From: ask@xxxxxxxx
To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 04:42:48 -0700
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 -------- Original Message --------
 Subject: any dictionary is a tool
 From: "howard sibirsky" <howdon@xxxxxxxxxx>
 
 This question arises. Are we preparing students of English to pass exams are 
we preparing them to use this international language for communication?
We  use pencils and pens for writing, radios for broadcasting the L.C. exam.
Paper to write on, and so on.
 
 As I wrote, any dictionary is a tool to be used. Is it possible that there are 
teachers out there who may believe that by making something, like an exam, more 
difficult  is thus better?
 
 I still remember the same arguments used by vocational teachers in regards to 
the use of calculators. Who won out? Does anyone hear that their use is a 
failure? Is it possible that teachers of English in Israel are so conservative 
that any change unfamiliar to them is wrong?
 
 Thank G-d that Zahal doesn't have that attitude. If it did, we would not be 
discussing this point right now.
 
 Hanan


David wrote:
> Two reasons why not to allow the use of the quicktionary:
> 1) It will put users of ordinary dictionaries at a tremendous disadvantage,
> which is clearly unfair.The existing accomodations have more than
> "levelled
> out the pitch" for LD students.. The quicktionary will tilt it very heavily
> in their favour, even more so in view of the fact that so many are not
> genuinely disadvantaged but have parents who have the know-how and the
> means to manipulate the system.
> 2) If we allow all students to use it, as Hanan seems to be
> suggesting, there will be no element of reading comprehension in the exam. In
> fact, there's an idea for a major saving in the ministry's budget -
> distribute quicktionaries free to all students and drop English from the 
> school
> curriculum! You heard it first on Etni and from me - I want the
> credit!
> But seriously,I refuse to believe that anyone is even toying with the
> idea of allowing the use of quicktionaries in the exam.
> Could we please have an authoritative answer on this one from the
> Chief Inspector.
> As for Rachel's question, the Chief Inspector is on record as having
> said that old format bagrut grades CANNOT be combined with new format
> modules.

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[etni] [FWD: any dictionary is a tool]

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