Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?
By: M Rich
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html
This article focuses on how the internet and technology is changing the way people read. An initial story focuses on a 15 year old girl and her mom. The mother is an avid reader of books and would really like her daughter to enjoy reading novels as much as she does. The article notes that the teenager spends up to 6 hours a day at her computer. The reader is informed that the teenager’s time on the internet is spent reading and commenting on stories written by other users at a particular website. Though her mother prefers that her daughter reads books the mother notes that she is happy that her daughter is reading at all. The question becomes “What does it mean to read in the digital age?” The question is never really answered it leaves the reader to make a decision.
National organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of English are exploring how technology is impacting literacy. Some argue that time spent on the internet is an enemy to reading. Others say the internet has created a new kind of reader. In the past years teenage scores on standardized reading test have steady declined. Proponents of digital literacy note that these test are in a traditional form and do not test the digital literacy of students.
Please note this article has not been peer reviewed. Furthermore, the use of this non-peer reviewed article has been with Dr. Baylen’s permission. With that being said, I believe this article is beneficial to share because it brings to the forefront a topic which is being debated on a national level in education. The literacy debate is a topic that will more than likely effect teachers is the k-12 setting as well as change the way reading is taught and evaluated. This unbiased article does a good job at balancing both sides of the argument. As an advocate for instructional technology integration it is important to look at both sides of the issue.
Rich, M. (2008, July 27). Literacy debate: Online, r u really reading?. New York Times, Retrieved September 2, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html
5 comments:
Jennifer,
Your article makes me wonder just how much difference is there between reading a book and "reading" text through a glass faced monitor? Is it really the digital device that is "causing" literacy achievement to decline, or could it be a host of other factors, such as 1. over crowded classrooms with not enough teacher to go around? 2. Too many subjects required of our students to meet the No Child Left Behind? 3. Not enough money to hire enough good teachers? 4. I don't know, but it seems to me there are some who might be putting the blame for low achievement on the "tool" and not the facilitors of the tool.
Diane
Diane,
You bring up many interesting and valid points. I agree that too often technology is given the boot when there are so many other factors to consider.
This article seem to point out another issues as well. There seems to be a problem with the assessment. Since we are moving to a more technological society the push is to change the assessment since we have changed the way we are teaching. Currently many standardized test do not reflect technology literacy.
Hey Y'all
Since the State DOE has "re-aligned" our CTAE classes they are adding an end of pathway test. It's not real clear yet what the results of the test will be for, nor what the test will entail but it will be a standardized test covering 4 years of a career tech class. I haven't met anyone yet who's excited about this.
JR
Jack,
I spoke to someone from GA DOE CTAE this morning. I have known this individual for a long time. He explained the end of pathway test. I wanted to offer a little clarity about the test. The pathway test will be offered to students after completing three classes in the specific pathway. The test is not seen as an end of course test which will effect whether the student passes or fails any specific course. However, the test results are a way to give the students an opportunity to take to potential employers emphasizing what they have learned in their high school courses. The test as it was explained to me only helps the students attain jobs in the workforce by showing the preparation they received in high school.
I think students are more comfortable at their computers today; the increased comfort level may make it easier for them to read.
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