Posts Tagged ‘computer’

Literacy and Technology Linked

{ September 15, 2009 @ 7:46 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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According to Cynthia L. Selfe in her article “Literacy and Technology Linked: The National Project to Expand Technological Literacy,” technological literacy–meaning computer skills and the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity, and performance–has become as fundamental to a person’s ability to navigate through society as traditional skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic. If this is true, technological literacy needs to be taught in schools as aggressively as language arts and mathematics. Along with aiding traditional literacy instruction, computers can reduce unnecessary labor associated with writing and alleviate teacher workloads as well.

Students working with laptops in the Classroom

Students working with laptops in the Classroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1993, an official national challenge to expand technological literacy was launched in America’s schools, homes, and workplaces, called the Technology Literacy Challenge. If students’ technological literacy becomes strong and more advanced, they will have a greater opportunity for good jobs with higher incomes in the future. Rather than being stranded with only traditional literacy training, they will fit into a world that runs on technology.

“Literacy instruction is now inextricably linked with technology,” says Selfe. The solution is simple, right? If computers are integrated into school curriculums, students will be given the technological instruction they need to survive in a world that cannot function without computers. If only it were that easy. Although 98 percent of all schools own at least some computers (Coley, Crandler, and Engle 29) there are many minority and low socioeconomic educational institutions that cannot afford any or enough computers for their students. Also, the more computers are integrated into schools and curriculums, the more students will have a need for computers in their homes, another costly expense for families.

It seems to me that the problem with the Technology Literacy Challenge, is that it is not hitting the places that need the most help. Although some Americans have benefitted, it has not benefitted all students, such as poor students or colored students who do not have sufficient text books, let alone computers in their schools. I believe this project to expand technological literacy should benefit those with the most need first, before those students who may already have access to computers in their own homes. My suggestion…work from the bottom up.

Above picture was taken from http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=11

My Writing Spaces

{ September 10, 2009 @ 7:14 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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The three writing space I use the most are the pen and paper, my laptop and my phone. Of the three I find myself using my phone more and more. As technology has changed and phones have changed and become more keyboard friendly it is much easier to communicate using a keyboard and your phone than verbally.

In spite of this I still use my laptop everyday to take notes, research papers, write reports and stay in touch with friends and family through the many social networks like Facebook and through e-mail. Microsoft is a terrific word processing program for keeping your thoughts and your papers organized, grammatically correct and spelled properly. It is a great tool for presenting your work in a clear, clean and crisp manner. It is also terrific for warehousing and archiving all of your research and important information. I’m not sure what I’d do if I lost my computer; I have so much stuff stored on it.

As much as I use my computer, I still turn to paper and pen to write notes. Sometimes in class it’s easier to jot down notes in the margins of handouts or in a notebook than to drag out my computer. Sometimes at night when I’m in bed I sit and right notes to myself about things I need to get done or things I want to remember. I think that no matter how technologically advanced we get the pen and paper will always be a staple for writers.

By far the most fun writing space for me is my phone. I have it with me all the time. It has become my lifeline to the outside world. Everyone who wants to reach me sends me a text and I’m constantly sending texts to other people. I’ve been told by some of my older relatives that if I have that much to save I should just pick up the phone and call them, but they’re just old school.

I think that the computer and word processing has remediated pen and paper. Even though pen and paper will never go away for quick notes or for jotting something down. The computer and word processing has made writing much cleaner, easier and more efficient. It also makes it easier to correct and revise mistakes and has the capability of storing thousands of documents in a very small space.

Writing as Technology Response

{ September 10, 2009 @ 4:57 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Three writing spaces I find myself using the most are my computer, pencil and paper and my cell phone…surprise surprise. I use each of these writing spaces on a daily bases and can honestly say that I would not be able to function normally without them.

My laptop is basically my entire life in a 15” piece of metal and plastic. Not only do I use it to compose papers and complete homework assignments, but I also use the online communication websites Facebook and Twitter numerous times a day. To compose papers and assignments for school I use various programs in Microsoft Office such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I consider the Internet a writing space as well because I type e-mails to professors and classmates, type messages back and forth to friends on Facebook and update my status on Twitter, which all involve writing and communication.

Although I use my computer to complete the majority of my formal school work, my 5-subject notebook is just as important. I use pencil and paper to jot down notes during class, write informal class work/homework assignments and compose a daily “To-Do List” that keeps my brain organized (I am VERY forgetful). Because I am left handed and tend to smudge ink all over the paper, I stay away from pens and insteadprefer colorful and fun mechanical pencils.

Lastly, my cell phone is a very, VERY important writing space I use every day. I rarely talk on the phone and probably send and receive somewhere between 50 and 75 texts a day. I know, it sounds crazy but texting is much more convenient for my college student, on-the-go lifestyle (especially because the only time I have to talk on the phone is while driving, which is currently illegal in the state of New Jersey).

Remediation occurred when word processing was invented and (sadly) pencil and paper were pushed to the curb and given the name inadequate, messy and slow. Typing a paper on the computer is faster, neater and one can easily erase anything by pushing the backspace. Writing a letter is no longer needed when one can simply compose and send an e-mail in the span of 2 minutes or less. In most classrooms, students are able to type their notes on the computer and print them out later rather than copying everything onto paper. Technology is taking over and in the future…pencil and paper will be a thing of the past.

Taking up Space

{ September 10, 2009 @ 3:54 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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After pondering over my extremely interesting, everyday activities I realized that there are three writing spaces I use almost on a daily basis. The first is texting on my cell phone. The second is writing with regular pen and paper. Lastly, I use my computer for carrying out various tasks and composing various papers.

I send and receive roughly 75 text messages on my cell phone daily. I text while I walk, while I eat, while I am in certain lectures (just trying to be honest!), and undoubtedly I must text in my sleep due the shear volume. Almost everyone does some texting throughout the day. Even my mother does! Granted she calls a Blackberry a Blueberry and she is a little slow with answering texts, but she does her best. I am very proud. My dad is coming along-slow and steady wins the race! If he read his Blackberry manual, he would be much further along, but there seems to be something about directions that scare men away.

Next, pen and paper get put to good use, especially during school time. I take notes until my hands hurt. By writing facts down, I can recall the information more readily later. Some students use their laptops to take notes in class, but I do not. I know the internet, games, and other such things would distract me during class time. Therefore, I am old school when it comes to note taking.

At home my notes become invaluable as I work on my computer composing papers to turn into my professors. I have a PC and use Microsoft Word for everything. Word is easy for me to navigate and I find it to be a very reliable program. Rarely, I write a rough draft with regular pen and paper. It is more efficient to gather information and start writing on Word. It corrects mistakes as I go along, and since my handwriting is awful, the strain to read is much, much less. I also write emails on my computer, and I update my Myspace regularly with my performance dates and other information. I have yet to join the Facebook fiasco, but I have a feeling I will be very, very shortly.

Most obviously, remediation has occurred with the computer replacing the conventional pen and paper. Of course conventional pen and paper will never completely disappear because of its convenience, but the computer is definitely “borrowing and reorganizing the characteristics of writing” with pen and paper (Bolter, 25). Now instead of handwriting a letter and sending it through the mail, people can simply shoot emails to each other instantly over the computer. When composing papers, students no longer need to handwrite them-not even the rough drafts. Typing papers on processors is a much more efficient and appealing option. Even now instead of handwriting notes, some professors allow students to take notes on their laptops. By taking notes on laptops, it is easier for some students to utilize their notes for later assignments. On the computer, the thought process for writing still occurs, but the process no longer has to take place on pen and paper first.

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