Quote 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." (Karp)
I think I had a strong reaction of "Huh, I had not thought about that" when I came across this quote. I have always gone along with the groans that text-speak or digital media speak, is ruining the English language. Kids can't spell or write correctly because of text lingo. The truth is, though, that I am sure I made a lot of mistakes in my writing as a child, and I am pretty sure that I probably still do, even as an English major. Who am I to judge student writing today versus student writing before when I am only twenty-six years old, myself, and I never had to examine student writing until three years ago when I became a teacher. I had never thought of it before that writing was probably just as bad when I was a student as it is now, except that it is just bad in other ways.
Quote from "Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?"
"The simplest argument for why children should read in their leisure time is that it makes them better readers. According to federal statistics, students who say they read for fun once a day score significantly higher on reading tests than those who say they never do." (Rich)
I have a definite sense of agreement with this quote. Books are practically my life. I am an English/Library Major, a current School Librarian, I read to my children every single night, and I am always reading at least one book myself, sometimes more than one at a time. With this being said, I cannot be okay with the thought of reading books being replaced by reading online. Reading enhances so much more than some people may think. For example, my husband, who is quite intelligent but not a reader, frequently has to ask me how to spell some words or wants to know what some words mean. When he reads, he reads sports articles online, but that is the extent of his reading. Sure, there are probably some sports terms he knows the meaning of and I do not, but I would have to admit that, overall, my vocabulary, spelling, and maybe even my comprehension is better than his. I also think that reading helps me read between the lines when it comes to other things, like movies and music. He has a harder time trying to decipher hidden meanings or purpose, but I can do this easily, most of the time. these are skills that I gained from being a lifelong book reader, and they are skills I do not think one can acquire through online reading.
That is not to say that reading online is an awful thing. I read articles online all of the time. I come across all sorts of interesting articles when scrolling through Facebook, but I could never replace my book reading with just article reading.
2. Where do I stand?
I feel like I am stuck directly in the center of of Web Evangelist and Traditionalist. I feel that digital media is effecting the way we speak and write today, and I believe that, in some cases, it is effecting these negatively. I also feel that there is some stock in digital media reading. While I am an avid book advocate, I would rather see someone reading online than not reading at all. I cannot sit back and not be concerned with the decline of book reading for enjoyment. I am a firm believer, and I often stress this to my students, that there is a book out there for everyone, and I feel it is my job to find each person THAT book.
3. Evidence
Karp quotes Naomi Baron as saying, "Essentially, the huge opportunities and options for creating text (email, tweets, blogs) cause us to write (or type) more than we ordinarily would. The result is that we are less careful with our words" (Karp), and I think that this is something I agree with on the traditionalist side of my opinion because I do feel that not only kids but everyone using digital media to say something does so without thinking much about what they are saying. This is why cyber bullying is such a big issue. Children are typing hurtful things to someone, which is easier than saying them to their face, and they are putting it out there without truly thinking about the consequences of their words.
On the other hand, Rich quotes Nadia's mother Deborah Konyk as saying, "I’m just pleased that she reads something anymore" (Rich) in regards to her daughter only reading online, and I have to say, that while I have an undying love and appreciation for books, that I would rather choose for a person to simply read online than to not read anything at all, even if that means they substitute reading books for reading online articles, or something to that extent.
4. Visual Metaphor
(Photo downloaded from PhotosForClass.com)
Caption: My views are stuck in between two strong arguments that prove their points equally, and until one side falls apart, I will remain stuck.
I think the above picture could not sum up my stance between these two views any better.
I love the first quote you chose. When I read the articles I felt like I had the same reaction as you did. I was one of those individuals that went along with everyone else saying that digital media was ruining our writing skills. You are right who are we to judge and how do we know it is so bad compared to past children's writing? I feel that writing has changed with the times, but also how is that a bad thing?
ReplyDeleteJesse--
ReplyDeleteYour comments about being an avid book reader and your love for traditional reading reminds me of my mom. She reads sometimes 3 or 4 books at once and has had me reading since I was little. I completely see where you're coming from about not being able to disregard reading in the traditional sense. Its hard for me to think of reading online to actually be considered 'reading' but taking these courses at Fairmont and reading everyone's blogs and opinions has definitely opened my mind to new ideas. Although there is nothing better than a good book, I know online reading and activities are becoming vital to students to learn and grow just as reading traditional print copies!
My first quote was the same as yours. I feel like, as we get older, we don't remember how we once struggled with spelling or language, especially majoring in English. I found it interesting that mistakes in language haven't gotten worse, but have just adapted. I also have to agree with your stance on reading. I, too, believe that reading books is beneficial, and though I'd rather see someone reading a book or novel, it's better to read something than nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your first quote. I feel there is some truth in saying that. Our culture is constantly changing and I think we need to adapt to how it works. I can see though that children's spelling and grammar is not the same this is why I find myself between a rock and a hard place much like your picture. I am kind of stuck in the middle I can see advantages to both sides. I am like you in that I am always reading at least one book at a time. My husband is also similar to yours in that he does not read traditional books, but loads of online articles of things that interest him. We are just intelligent in a different way.
ReplyDelete