See that all the time in electronic editions of books, emails, etc... Can’t help who it offends, but people look illiterate when a word is not used or spelled properly. This is ignorance personified. More “dumbing down” of the educational system and further proof that future generations will be even less-equipped to compete in the work force than current ones.
I don’t care who I’ll offend either in repeating what one teacher told me once, and that is that people who don’t know how to spell most likely don’t read, or don’t know how to reach, because one learns spelling not from writing but from, d’uh, reading!
I agree, however I realize that "texting" is faster and more convenient when done in a short sentences and words. I've learned a lot of that from my kids. There's a time and place for it and messaging on your phone seems to be the time and place...not when you are writing an essay or answering test questions or filling out a job application.
It isn't or shouldn't be used as a general manner of writing. If this "professor" believes that, he shouldn't be teaching. The world is not your smartphone.