Journal #2
Technology
is an ever-changing topic; it seems new things come out every month: phones,
laptops, E-readers, etc. Now that we are in the 21st century, I
believe technology has become fully ingrained with literacy, and we as
educators must embrace that. I know that for many students in my school, they
would rather sit in front of a computer than a textbook. When they do class
work on a computer, many of them are using their digital literacy skills, and
many of them know exactly what to do. This comes from using this technology
almost every day. But does this make them more knowledgeable? Is this really a
form of learning/reading? I believe that in this constantly changing world, anything
used to further a student’s education should be considered as a part of
literacy learning.
The article
does a good job of showing positive and negative aspects of digital literacy,
but I believe the author was leaning towards the latter. I think what is important
to realize is that as we read this piece in 2015, it was published over seven
years ago, in 2008. Many things have changed in that span. Mr. Motoko did not
mention the Amazon Kindle that had just come out 6 months prior. This was a
watershed moment in digital literacy, even if it was a little too expensive for
students’. Two years after this article, Amazon lowered their prices of a
Kindle to 140 dollars, and it came with Wi-Fi (Wagner, 2011). By 2010, an
Amazon Kindle had become relatively cheap enough for any aged student to buy
one. I had a Kindle, and I still use it. In 2014, the price of a Kindle was 80
dollars. I see students using their Kindle’s in class (usually when I don’t
want them to), and almost 90% of the time, a student is using it to read.
Overall, I think new technologies will help where it is needed, and in the end, should be used in moderation. As the article states "One early study showed that giving home Internet access to low-income students appeared to improve standardized reading test scores and school grades"(Mokoto, 2008). I believe using this technology to increase literacy where it is needed most will be the most effective, and best way we can use digital literacy to our students advantage.
Bibliography:
Rich, M. (2008, July 26). Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading? Retrieved September 24, 2015.
Wagner, K. (2011, September 28). The History of Amazon's Kindle So Far. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
You make a valid point about the time that this NY Times article was written. Seven years is a long time when we consider the technological changes that have occurred since then. I am impressed that most of your students, when allowed to use a Kindle in class, are using it to read. For me, that's always a big concern that gets in the way of being more open to using the Web for reading and learning. There are so many distractions and stimulations that take the mind off of reading and writing. While Internet access makes finding information and reading so easy and tailored to individual taste and needs, I feel there are just too many temptations for games, chats, and fun apps and videos that lure the students to go off tangent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ann. There are so many distractions that come with using the computer in a classroom setting. Even though certain sites are blocked and we have someone who monitors the computers, there is always those few students who want to go on Youtube, check out sports scores or the latest sneakers. While technology is being more used and useful, I still find it to be a distraction at times.
ReplyDeleteChris, it's interesting that your students are using their Kindles to read. As mine are still spending their lunch period in the library and are distracted in class with physical books.
I agree with Ann. There are so many distractions that come with using the computer in a classroom setting. Even though certain sites are blocked and we have someone who monitors the computers, there is always those few students who want to go on Youtube, check out sports scores or the latest sneakers. While technology is being more used and useful, I still find it to be a distraction at times.
ReplyDeleteChris, it's interesting that your students are using their Kindles to read. As mine are still spending their lunch period in the library and are distracted in class with physical books.