Blog 8: Write a response that synthesizes (brings together) ideas from earlier in the course in relationship to technology. In other words, what are you seeing in terms of changes? Does technology change literacy or learning literacy?

 Technology makes literacy possible.  Technology drives everything in our world.  The way we study, the way we eat, the way we drive, the way we exercise; anything we do is technology driven.  As we evolve, technology does also.  The idea of literacy began with the ability to communicate with one another.  In ancient times various languages evolved so people could share their thoughts and ideas.  Eventually, the spoken word was accompanied by the written word (or picture).  This type of communication was long lasting and able to be seen by people generations later.   Books were written after paper came about.  Books were collected and passed amongst people, spreading literacy; spreading knowledge. 

With the invention of the printing press, literacy changed immensely.  The printed word spread like wildfire to more people than ever before.  Knowledge poured in to people.  Inventions of things like the telephone also changed literacy.  People were able to communicate long distances instantaneously. 

Most recently computers (email, internet, and websites) came in and shook everyone’s idea of literacy and communication around a bit.  Books were made available on the internet.  Papers and articles and essays could be downloaded to your computer in minutes.  Ideas could be typed and sent across countries in seconds. Instant messenger services changed business meetings. 

Now we have cell phones.  Everyone is connected to the world at every second of every day.  People can be reached anywhere in the world.  Text messaging is taking over the way people communicate with one another.  I began reading a new book yesterday.  I saw an advertisement for the book while I was online shopping.  I decided I wanted to read the book.  I did not go to the store to buy it.  I did not go to the library to check it out.  Instead I downloaded a virtual copy of the book from “Amazon” and now I have access to it on my iPad of my phone. 

I have a book with virtual pages. Of course technology changes learning and literacy.  The article ranting about the changes to the dictionary is proof that technology can change anything.  The students in the 5^th grade class I am observing use computers every day to assist in their homework assignments (typing letters), to help learn math facts (online math websites), and to make presentations (PowerPoint). I went to a piano bar downtown, and one of the piano players was reading sheet music off of his iPad.  My math instructor uses his iPad in class to help with teaching.  Technology has revolutionized learning.

As long as we understand that all of our new gadgets (cellphones, iPods, etc.) and slang speech have a place, and that place is out of the classroom, I think all of our advances in technology have helped literacy to make huge strides.  I agree with the article on the new technology.  People are writing more than they ever have in the past.  Most people probably did leave college and if it wasn’t required for their job, they never ever constructed a real paragraph again.  Technology keeps us sharp (for the most part) (this is where I will ignore the fact that anytime I have a question I will simply Google it...rather than actually learning anything) That is for a different blog!

Position: Technology is revolutionary.