In
a world that is ever changing, we find that literacy comes in a variety of
shapes and sizes. Literacy can be thought of as a multimodal means of
connectivity amongst people -a form of expression, that one must be knowledgeable
within in order to understand its complexity. Literacy is the foundation for underlying
success within education and it bridges the gap between those who can, and
those who choose not to. New media literacies act as a culture created to spark
the everyday creativity of its participants. To be actively engaged is to have
a voice in a world that is no longer authentic and trivial, it is now
creativity that has been shaped and molded from previous generations.
According
to David McCullough quoted in the New York Times, “It’s not on call at the
touch of a finger. Learning is acquired mainly from books, and most readily
from great books” (p. 3). As the need for digitally literate educators is on
the rise, we find that students are learning and absorbing more information on
a daily basis than ever before. To argue that learning is “mainly acquired from
books and most readily from great books” would be the furthest from the truth.
Although students may not be reading novel after novel, they are spending hours
on the Internet reading fanfiction, blog posts, newspaper and magazine articles
that are of high interest to them, therefore, making them more actively engaged
in what they are reading. They are becoming active participants in the online
community because they are engaged in the content, digitally literate in the
technology, and have an array of platforms at their disposal.
As new content is
created on a daily basis, different ideas can lead to a revolution. A
revolution of thoughts, creativity, voice and expression, and a revolution can
lead to change. These changes can already be seen before us in the shift of
digitally literate students. We, as educators, have our primary duty of helping
students learn. If the content is being absorbed, what difference does it make
if it’s through a bound book or an iPad?
Bibliography
Rich,
M. (2008, July 27). The Future of Reading- Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really
Reading? New York Times, p. 1-7.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com
Hi Briana,
ReplyDeleteWhile I understand your point in this blog, I must say that I disagree with your following statement, "To argue that learning is 'mainly acquired from books and most readily from great books' would be the furthest from the truth." Yes, children are becoming versed in digital literacy and are engaging in online literary conversations, during their time on the internet. But what happens to the skills they gain from reading traditional books? Even as I read the article and your post, I found myself flipping through the various tabs I have open, breaking my concentration from the reading. How often does that happen to children? Therefore preventing them from grasping the full context of the text.
I think the issues you have are in many ways generational. Today's students have grown up with this technology and have developed skills which allows them to utilize the tech to its fullest.
DeleteIf you have young children and watch them grab a smart phone for the first time and within minutes are playing Angry Birds, you understand how incredibly powerful, yet accessible this tech is.
I have had variations of this discussion with my peers, who lament the days of having to actually do physical research; to look through book after book for crumbs to find an answer and relishing in the discovery. No more.
Now all I have to is Google it; but so everyone can else. Everyone has access (within reason) to the same data, which levels the playing field and is a far cry from the days of needing a book, only to find it reserved for someone else.
I don't know, I just think that we have to let this generation use the tools they have and we need to get out of the way and let them at it.
Simone,
ReplyDeleteCan you clarify the skills that you claim are gained from reading traditional books and why you believe these skills are important?
As the world changes so must the concept of literacy acquisition through traditional literature. New technology is creating a new type of literacy, which is probably scary to academics who grew up around books. However, if the aim of literacy is the absorption of ideas why would the modern world, for the first time in its history, confine itself and not take advantage of new technology?
I'm not suggesting that we not use or embrace technology. I just believe, sometimes individuals go from one extreme to another. Instead of merging new literacies with traditional books, it's kind of one thing or the other (in my opinion). In the reading Nicholas Carr is mentioned as believing that the net has lessened his "capacity for concentration and contemplation." Which I find to be true, as I sometimes share the same sentiment. My concentration is much shorter when I'm on the computer (if only you knew how long I've been trying to write this post :)). How much more difficult is it for teenagers? I see it every time my students use the laptops at school, as they try to go on Youtube and other social sites.
DeleteIt's not I feel technology has no place in school, or specifically the classroom. I just feel that there needs to be a balance.