The Debate Thread 1.1: Use of pens/pencils in school etc.

[Code_Ember]

I'm sure everyone can relate to this. In my school, we don't use pens until 5th grade because the school underestimates our ability of cleanliness for some reason. The good thing I liked about pens is that I can buy 4 of them for very few and it will last for more than five months unlike pencils where I can burn 8 in two months. (Don't ask why. )

Now, do you think use of pencils (or pens) in school are worth it or not? Personally, I'd just rather stick with pencils especially mechanical pencils due to the fact that I can doodle a lot. (Practicing drawing hands during Math class -evil laugh-)

[david.atwell]

Huh? Weird school. :-) We've always been allowed to use any kind of writing utensil we wanted, as I recall...

Wait, maybe not. I wonder if we were allowed to use mechanical pencils...

But anyway, I like writing with a wood pencil, but I usually use mechanical pencils since I don't own a pencil sharpener. I prefer writing with a pen, though. And I don't think schools should mess with our preferences; as long as we write, shouldn't that be enough?

[D3z]

We used to have to write with pencils, then they said we may only use pencils in Maths, then they said no we may never use pencils, now they tell us we can use pencils for drawings in science, technology ect. You know, its no wonder everybody hates the South African government and Education department, they cant make up their minds. Also, its like teachers taking away marks because you don't write neatly enough, if you can read it, thats good enough for me

My opinion: If it looks presentable, its fine, if we write with pens or pencils or feathers or even cave-man-paint it doesnt really matter!

[Myrddin]

We were conditioned to use pencils until Year 5 (Fourth Grade), then we were transitioned (quite abruptly) to pens. It was exciting times. We counted down the days until the start of Year 5.

I have no preference to writing medium, I like both pen and pencil alike. I take to the feel of writing with a pencil more as it's a far smoother write, more natural in my grasp. My handwriting though can be somewhat 'swishy', as one person described it, and using a pencil only embellishes that. On the other hand, a pen may not feel as natural, but it is harder for my fanciful style to shine through so much.

I can say with confidence that I prefer mechanical pencil over traditional. A sharpener is one more item of stationary to carry around, and leads are cheap enough and last longer with me.

[BoltBait]

This owns all:

Cheap and smooth...

http://www.uniball-na.com/main.taf?p=2,3,8

[david.atwell]

Not even close.

Bic Atlantis. Smooth, dark stroke, easy to hold, plenty of ink, friendly to the hand, kind to the wallet. I have one of these in my pocket 24/7. And here's a mark of how awesome they are: I've had more of these pens stolen than any other type. :-)

[pipp92]

I use the pens which i like in school, for penspinning

[Sozo]

Not even close.

Bic Atlantis. Smooth, dark stroke, easy to hold, plenty of ink, friendly to the hand, kind to the wallet. I have one of these in my pocket 24/7. And here's a mark of how awesome they are: I've had more of these pens stolen than any other type. :-)

I agree with David. I choose the Atlantis whilst college shopping.

[LFC4EVER]

I've used pens since Year 4 (i don't know what grade in US), as my teacher told me my handwriting was neat enough. I was one of the first to do so in my class, and it was a great feeling at the time. I normally use blue pen, for normal writing, and other colours for diagrams/colouring (sketched in pencil first).

As for pens in school, i agree with D3z saying:

If it looks presentable, its fine, if we write with pens or pencils or feathers or even cave-man-paint it doesnt really matter!

[ncfan51]

For us they made us use pens until Y6 upon which they forced us to use pen. Then in Y9 they forced us to use pencils again. :? Oh and when I was in school, we didn't have a lot of choice as to pencils; there were really only two brands: Nataraj and Aspara.

Heh, I don't have any cheap pens. Only two really, really expensive (your head will turn if I told you) pens I've had for ~15 years.

[worldnewser]

Well, I remember being required to write with pens up to Grade 5. Grade 5 was sorta like an iffy period (sorta like if you didn't feel like using a pencil, use a pen and vice versa). After that we were allowed to use pencils only in Math class.

I really love using pens though. Especially black pens. Actually, I have a "personal pen" that I use for an entire year. (Yeah I know. Some of my friends could call it close to an obsession. I used to walk around my old school with three pens hanging outta my shirt pocket.) I remember it starting with erasable pens in Grade 5, Bic pens in Grade 6-7 (notably the Bic Atlantis :wink:) and Uni-Ball pens in Grades 8-11(current).

However, I think that this pen has been the best I've ever used (three yrs straight ongoing):

http://www.uniball-na.com/main.taf?p=2,3,1

I can't work with any pens with a point other than 0.5 mm

[ncfan51]

I tried out that pen before. It was pretty nice, but I ONLY buy retractable pens.

[Myrddin]

Only black pens for me. Also, only Bic Cristal (the Biro) for me. Cheap, easily replaceable and they work: that's good enough for me.

I do have this one other pen which I use for more personal tasks, like writing speciality cards, but that was again a cheap pen from an ASDA supermarket, hence it has no brand nor name. It works beautifully, surprisingly.

I'm like ncfan51 where I mostly go for retractable pens, but the Biro can last with or without it's cap, so I don't see the lid as a hassle as such.

[ZELDA GURU]

http://www.betterthanabook.net/Products ... idence.jpg

this pwns all

[HITMAN-X-]

When I went to school it was pens and pencils. If you messed up you used white out.

Had a teacher who would not take in any work in any other pen colors then black or blue as it hurt her eyes. One of my favorite teachers, I think it was her class at 8 AM that got me on the bus lol.

[LJXD]

Some schools in queensland (i dont know about otherstates) actually have pen licenses. Where you get a sheet of paper that tells you your allowed to have a pen now. I'm pretty sure teachers introduced this after messy handwriters kept using pens and stuffing up.So they had to keep crossing out and it looked real bad.

One school i saw actually had a laminated card with a picture of yourself to say your allowed to use a pen! Theres no point because they usually hand them out in Grade 7 (last year of Primary education). And from then on you can use whatever you like.

[R3VENGE]

through all of my primary school we used pencils apart from people who wrote like too neat to be human

but at secondary school they let us use pens (apart from photography because they make us use pencils more(partly because its under art i think))

[Zagna]

You guys are made to use something?

Here in .fi, atleast in the schools I've gone to, we're allowed to use anything. And we all use mostly pencils from kindergarden to university. I've survived elementary schools with just pencils, junior high to polytechnic with just two mechanical pencils, 0.5mm and 0.7mm and one ballpoint pen. Junior high, vocational and now going to polytechnic with just 2 pencils and 1 pen. And I refill occasionally the pencils. The ballpoint pen is used rarely.

Then there are other kind of people that have different color pencils, pens, highlight markers and a pen case the size of a small bag.

I think the only case where one is required to use a pen is when you rewrite a clean version of a finnish essay (and that's only in high school afaik).

[Kemaru]

@Zagna: Yay! First Finn I've "seen" here, other than me.

Our teacher on 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade forced us to use normal pencils (the ones you sharpen). She even confiscated a few mechanical pencil in 1st grade. When we asked why, she just replied: "When using mechanical pencils, you always have to be extra cautios and press lightly, so you don't break the lead. That makes your hand writing very fragile and light blablablablabla..." That may be true when you first start using one, but when you've used one for 6+ months, your handwriting (usually) develops.

Anyway, I always use a Pentel Twist Erase 0.5 mm mechanical pencil:

The black one . It's great, some people say the eraser is weak but it's actually very good, and you can even buy refills! The pencil is pretty expensive, though.

The lead grade I use is B.

[Bobofthedead]

I use a cheap Parker fountain pen with generic blue ink: I find that I can't write with most ball-point pens, other than a few heavy ones, and that technical pens are too scratchy for me to use without that felt-tip sound driving me out of my head. Parker fountains have just the right weight, and a smooth-enough nib for me to write at least legibly, and I just prefer blue ink.

I also have a heavy Waterman fountain pen, which is filled with California Blue ink from a bottle, at home; a present from a relative.

[aeonix]

For 1st and 2nd grade, we were only allowed to use pencils. But then again, we were only 5,6, and 7 back then. Once we hit 3rd grade we were allowed to use pens, though anyone rarely did. And now, in 8th grade, we mostly use pens and mechanical pencils

[Blooper]

Not even close.

Bic Atlantis. Smooth, dark stroke, easy to hold, plenty of ink, friendly to the hand, kind to the wallet. I have one of these in my pocket 24/7. And here's a mark of how awesome they are: I've had more of these pens stolen than any other type. :-)

I think it's because you have more of these than any other pen.

[Lego]

Don't you ever buy one of those Staple's pens, the ones that come in the box with like 60, for like 5 dollars..Those things are so cheap..In the middle of words/letters they dry out. You will feel like breaking it. >.>

[david.atwell]

I've had more of these pens stolen than any other type. :-)

I think it's because you have more of these than any other pen.

Percentage, you silly person! :-P Yeesh...

[Blooper]

I couldn't help it. I went to Staples just to try the Bic Atlantis, then I realized I hadn't brought any money. I almost attempted to go hara-kiri with hole puncher.