'Spell' check-mate

I just threw up my hands in resignation for there was no arguing with the Gen Next.

A few decades or so ago, I was teaching at a school in Delhi. Back then, it was mandatory for us teachers to prepare power point presentations on topics we taught. That was, of course, my part of the story. Being still quite new to the “game”, I struggled initially but my computer basics imbibed at a reputed Delhi establishment meant that I was able to overcome the initial hitches and glitches.

However, I was really in for a surprise when a few days later as I announced in my grade five class that a project was due from each of the students at the end of the term, one of the young Einstein’s chirped up. “Ma’am, I am quite comfortable with computers. Would it be okay with you if I presented my project as a ppt, a.k.a, power point presentation or as a word document?”

To say that I was stunned was really the understatement of the century! Here I was, a supposed post graduate in English in AD 2000, slogging it out over the computer day and night; be it in the process of preparing test papers, or presentations to show the class, and this young upstart was virtually posing a challenge to me!

I tried reasoning with the bright young lad by presenting the difficulties of it all. “Look, there will be tonnes and tonnes of paragraphs and you will need to work on your spellings. How will you go about it? And what about your habit of abbreviating everything from ‘gr8’ to ‘cu l8r’?’’

The lad was unfazed by this virtual plea to his logical side, and proceeded to “educate” me. “Ma’am, but haven’t you heard of the “spell-check’’ feature in just about every software? I am sure that will help me out. Please don’t worry your head over it.’’ And then, as though to console me, he placated further saying, “In case you need my help, ma’am, I will assist you in making that presentation for the class on “Parts of Speech”. See, I have actually got it all written down and this is how it will look frame by frame.’’

By now I was flabbergasted, to say the least! Not only was this lad ready to prepare his project on the computer, but he was also ready to help me with mine! I just threw up my hands in resignation saying to myself that there was no arguing with the Gen Next.

That was then. I have, since, managed to garner a semblance of knowledge about computers. Well, that is hardly su-rprising as it is quite important to someone who grandly declares that she is a “freelance writer”. And what is, perhaps, the icing on the cake is the fact that I have mastered the entire process of using the spell check feature! Though, of course, I must shamefacedly admit that I still insist on typing with two fingers!

But I do now understand, as my student did ages back, that spell check does make our lives a whole lot easier. It is truly an invaluable asset to someone who never really has any “formal” typing skills, and insists on typing while looking at the keyboard, instead of the screen! Oh! what, indeed, would people like me do without the affable spell check?