Computer-based Lesson - Use Spell Check and Correct Errors in Document by Bea Peeke

Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom - Final Activity

Title:                     Use Spell Check and Correct Errors in Document

Learner Level:     Beginner

Pre-Instruction: 

Instructor must be sure that the learner has successfully created and saved a simple document.  Familiarity with the purpose of the spell check functions.

Set the demonstration computer so that the red wavy line appears for spelling errors.

• Select Options from the Tools menu.

• Click on Spelling and Grammar.

• Click on Spelling as you type.

• The computer can also be set for Grammar Check at this time.  If this is activated, the errors will appear with a green wavy line below each error.

• Type the Walt Disney document or develop a document with numerous spelling errors to use during the presentation/procedure session.  Name and save the document “Spell Check.”

• Make copies of the document with spelling errors to be used during the evaluation.

Duration:          15 minutes   

Materials: 

        Computer

        Floppy/diskette

        Copy of the document

Objectives: 

Learner will be able to correctly check for spelling errors in a document.

Procedure:

·        Begin the class by saying that you have some “Good News”.  The computer will help correct spelling errors!!  It has a dictionary in it!

·        Explain to the learners that the Spell check can cover the whole document or just a section of it if you select/highlight only a portion of the document.

·        Ask the learners how to open a document from the A drive on the computer.  Have one learner describe the process as you insert a floppy disk in the A: drive.  Open the document “Spell Check”.

• Tell the learners that you will demonstrate how to check the entire document for spelling errors:

  • Click on the Tools menu

  • Select “Spelling and Grammar” in the dialog box

  • Explain that the Spelling and Grammar check begins immediately.

  • You will see the first error in the document along with a list of suggested corrections.  (Yu instead of You)

·        Draw attention to the choices on the right hand side of the window.  Explain what happens when you click each of them.

• Click on change

• Explain that the error will automatically be changed in the document.

• Show that the next error will appear with a list of suggested corrections.

• Explain that the error is a name and the computer does not recognize it as a word in its dictionary but it is correctly spelled.

• Explain that when you do not want the word corrected you choose Ignore.

• Click on Ignore

• Continue to correct errors if they appear in the document

• Explain that if you want to stop the Spell and Grammar check you would choose Cancel.

• Explain that once the Spell and Grammar check has checked the entire document Click OK to close the Spell and Grammar check.

• When finished, have the learners read through the document to see that all words are now spelled correctly.  However, the learners should find the error: buy instead of by.  Explain that the computer does not understand context and it is still important to closely proofread each document you create.

• Correct the error.  Place the cursor in the word.  Double click.  The word will be highlighted.  Type the correct spelling over the error.

• Ask a learner to describe the procedure to save a document.  Save the document as the learner describes the procedure.

• Practice with several other documents.

Evaluation:

Give each learner a handout that contains spelling errors in the test.  Have each learner type the text as it appears on the handout.  Have each learner correct spelling errors with the help of the Spelling and Grammar.  Tell each learner to also proofread and correct words which may be spelled correctly but used in the wrong context.