Digital Media Effects on Conventional Reading and Writing Practices

• Quote and Reaction:


• from "Does Digital Media Make Us Bad Writers?""According to Lunsford, the writing we produce is not getting worse.  Instead, it is simply adapting to the modern world."
  I like this idea of writing.  Granted that I am only 24, I feel somewhat part of the technological age.  I feel insulted when coworkers, friends, teachers, etc. of other generation snub the writing of my generation.
• from "Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?"
  " In fact, some literacy experts say that online reading skills will help children fare better when they begin looking for digital-age jobs."
  I also agree with and like this outlook.  Why "look down" on something (internet) that has become such an important part of today's workforce?  Why discourage children from internet literacy when they are faced with it in today's society?


• Where I stand:
• I am far from the traditionalist view.  I understand that, like it or not, the way we work, communicate, read, and understand life is changing.  We cannot ignore the technological advances that have taken place in this country.  Instead, we must adapt.  
• Online Resource:
• link: Cursive Writing: A Thing of the Past
• I have very close colleagues that would probably roll over at what I am about to say.  However, this goes along with the traditionalist vs. web evangelist thing.  I know several people who are very sad to see less emphasis on cursive writing.  To some, good hand writing is just as important as reading comprehension,  Why? I honestly believe because TRADITIONALLY that is what they were taught.  The older generations were forced to perfect their handwriting.  I am not saying that there is no need for legible writing.  However, I think it is safe to say that "hand writing" is not as important or necessary with the word processing technological advances of today.  A quote from the article that I enjoyed and agree with was, "“As we decrease our focus in one area, we have to increase our focus on another.”  It is important to remember the curriculum of the past will get altered, but only to make way for new curriculum that applies to societal needs.

Introduction

• A. Hello! I am Sarah Cline(Pryor-maiden name).  I did my undergrad. at FSU and graduated in May 2011 (Elem Ed and Math 5-9). Within a month of graduating, I got married, moved to Lewisburg, WV (due to my husband's job), bought a house,  and got my first teaching job (7th Grade Math- Summers Middle School- a 45 minute commute).  My second year of teaching I lucked out and got a job 5 minutes from my house and will probably be in this position for a while:) (8th Grade Math - Eastern Greenbrier Middle School).  I will be finished with my Master's at the end of the summer.  Looking forward to this class and looking forward to having a Master's at the end of July!

• Other side info about me: I am a Zumba Instructor.  I love the outdoors; hiking, kayaking, camping, skiing, etc.  I will be very busy this summer teaching summer school 3 days a week, instructing zumba, taking vacation on my off weeks, and doing the outdoor activities I previously mentioned (minus the skiing, of course, but I already have my season pass for Snowshoe this winter!). I love teaching middle school math (Strange, I know, but would prefer it over kindergarten any day).  

• I hope that this class enables to grow professionally.

• You tube video:
  This is a student-made video made video that causes viewers to realize/remember that literacy goes far beyond, "How well you can read and understand a book/passage"  Being literate in the 21st century might mean expand your idea of literacy itself.

• Comic about Literacy Uses of Today:
  Even my 75-yr-old grandma tries to "facebook,"  but like many in her generation, she is confused by its purpose and how to use it.  This made me think of the confusion that my grandma often when trying to "understand facebook:"

Photo Source: http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/grandma-on-the-internet.jpeg