Thread: Banning Red Pens

I am a teacher and this is the first I've heard of this. However, I have always preferred to mark in green pen for this reason (it was a personal choice as, like I said, I hadn't heard any one else talk about it before).

I don't think the difference it makes is is that big that a student will be driven into depression if they see too much red pen on their assignment. However, I would like to put the following perspective forward:

Why not try and make things less intimidating for students in every small way we can? I can assure you that students learn better and more when they are confident and happy. I'm not saying you can't ever correct a student's work and provide advice on how to do things better, but intimidating students and trying to 'harden them up' is not the best policy.

In my experience trying to 'harden' children up by being extra tough on them can have the opposite effect - they can then lack self esteem which means they can't cope with trials and difficulties as well as someone who has a higher self esteem due to been supported and encouraged at the right times rather than knocked.

Of course actually banning use of a red pen is extreme and I can't stand extremism of any sort. And the blanket 'harden the **** up' perspective is also extreme.

Originally Posted by Treads

Knowing that my other half is about to post a reply, I thought I'd get in first

YouTube - Chopper - Harden Up Australia!

Pure Gold!




"This is Stefan......."

You're not funny

mmmmm.....l would love to debate this as I'm always one for a good debate but l simply can write fast enough

time, place,circumstance, situation, mind set, teacher, age, attitude, and down right stupidity are all factors, but I'm really agreeing that banning the "RED PEN" isn't the way forward ........

cheers

You and me both , I think overall though things have become to "precious"....its like that email I have seen where they say if you were born in the 40's,50's,60's that they have created a dynamic, entrepreneurial generation etc etc. I mean non tackle footy for kids...WTF.....my son wants to play but wont because he is of the same mind...whats the point.

I will still say it is a minority...but it is growing and becoming etched into the pscyhe. I mean...if one of my children are naughty...dependant on the "crime" they will get a smack. They have joked that they will report me...ie etched into the pysche...something I would never had said to my father...and my response is always the same...fine but make sure you get a job to support yourself out on the street .

Things that were normal for me as a child...I have to think twice about as an adult....and its not stuff for the better in my book. I don't think it is a case of getting older and "the good old days" etc....manners are out the window, I'm surprised by what I hear at school when I pick up my kids or how some speak to a teacher. If I did that at same age it would have been a choice of cane, sandshoe, compass...back pack filled with heavy items and laps around the oval. There has to be a balance and the balance IMO sways towards soft not hard these days and we will suffer the consequences whether in teaching, our way of life, religion etc.

Regards

Stevo

Originally Posted by Tulip

I am a teacher and this is the first I've heard of this. However, I have always preferred to mark in green pen for this reason (it was a personal choice as, like I said, I hadn't heard any one else talk about it before).

I don't think the difference it makes is is that big that a student will be driven into depression if they see too much red pen on their assignment. However, I would like to put the following perspective forward:

Why not try and make things less intimidating for students in every small way we can? I can assure you that students learn better and more when they are confident and happy. I'm not saying you can't ever correct a student's work and provide advice on how to do things better, but intimidating students and trying to 'harden them up' is not the best policy.

In my experience trying to 'harden' children up by being extra tough on them can have the opposite effect - they can then lack self esteem which means they can't cope with trials and difficulties as well as someone who has a higher self esteem due to been supported and encouraged at the right times rather than knocked.

Of course actually banning use of a red pen is extreme and I can't stand extremism of any sort. And the blanket 'harden the **** up' perspective is also extreme.

my point exactly...now you sound like a teacher that cares and understands the impact you as a teacher has on our children ....the more, more teachers realize this rather than just going through the motions the better off our children will be ...l think anyway


BTW FAYI!!!.. my wife, my brother, my sister and all of my sister in laws are all teachers...so my opinion is just that ..."an opinion" not a witch hunt

Cheers

Knowing that my other half is about to post a reply, I thought I'd get in first

YouTube - Chopper - Harden Up Australia!
+
Pure Gold!


=

Originally Posted by Tulip

You're not funny

....now whos a funny guy then !!!!!! you go swmbo


cheers

Originally Posted by stevo68

You and me both , I think overall though things have become to "precious"....its like that email I have seen where they say if you were born in the 40's,50's,60's that they have created a dynamic, entrepreneurial generation etc etc. I mean non tackle footy for kids...WTF.....my son wants to play but wont because he is of the same mind...whats the point.

I will still say it is a minority...but it is growing and becoming etched into the pscyhe. I mean...if one of my children are naughty...dependant on the "crime" they will get a smack. They have joked that they will report me...ie etched into the pysche...something I would never had said to my father...and my response is always the same...fine but make sure you get a job to support yourself out on the street .

Things that were normal for me as a child...I have to think twice about as an adult....and its not stuff for the better in my book. I don't think it is a case of getting older and "the good old days" etc....manners are out the window, I'm surprised by what I hear at school when I pick up my kids or how some speak to a teacher. If I did that at same age it would have been a choice of cane, sandshoe, compass...back pack filled with heavy items and laps around the oval. There has to be a balance and the balance IMO sways towards soft not hard these days and we will suffer the consequences whether in teaching, our way of life, religion etc.

Regards

Stevo

yes Steve ....but l grew up with a father that never hit me and one of hes old sayings (when l ask him why "he never laid a hand on me ") was because soon you'll be big enough to smack me back son !!!!!!!


"Respect dad........ thanks mate "


cheers

Originally Posted by stevo68

...you already mentioned that you just wanted to be a chef....and perhaps he was jack of the crap you kept dishing up.

Classic

Originally Posted by Utemad

Classic

ahhh missed that one ...good o steve

cheers