Modern Technology and How it Impacts Literacy

Modern Technology and How it Impacts Literacy
In the article, “The New Literacy” from Wired.com, written by Clive Thompson, he states; different ideas from other pundits regarding technology today and how it has impacted literacy. John Sutherland, is an English professor at the University College of London, he questions the effects of students using Facebook, video, and Powerpoint with its form of shorthand and texting chattering. He states students no longer have the need to write crafted essays with this technology available. On the other side, Andrea Lunsford, is a professor of writing and rhetoric at Stanford University, she has done an extensive research project from 2001 to 2006. She gathered 14,672 student writing samples, such as in class assignments, formal essays, emails, and chat sessions. Her results were encouraging. She found that technology is not reducing our writing, but encourages literacy in a new direction. There is a huge positive change from the effects of the Internet; people are writing more, and learning more techniques to get their point across in written words. When she reviewed the academic papers of first year students, she could not find any use of text speaking or shorthand. In fact, students found it boring to do an in-class essay, because the only person reading it was the teacher and its only purpose was for the class grade. They would much rather write for audience, so their writing could be persuading, organized, and also debating about the topic. In his recent work, Clive Thompson reminds us that good teaching is always essential in having the ability to write academic papers. With the use of online media technology, it is expanding the levels of reading and writing and it is continuing to grow. This new knowledge is teaching the shortness in text writing, but also to expand on brief comprehensive words. He states, that we think of writing as either good or bad. The most important factor for young people to know when writing is; who you are writing for and why you are writing.
My own view is; that having the use of computer technology has expanded my knowledge and my discussions in chat rooms. Though I concede that it took time for me to accept this new wave of the future, I still maintain that technology is enhancing literacy though out the world at every age level. For example, I did not own a personal computer until two years ago, so that I could have a closer contact with my boss, she preferred emails rather than phone calls. With help from younger colleagues, I opened my Yahoo account and became a member on Facebook. I have taken a computer class to broaden my knowledge. Although some might object that this is harmful, or even less educational to students, I contend that it’s not, but there are more educational sites on the internet to help expand your knowledge, than in the encyclopedia. The issue is important because it affects us today, and will continue to effect society as the years’ progress.