"According to Lunsford, the writing we produce is not getting worse. Instead, it is simply adapting to the modern world" (Karp, 2010).
As a fourth grade teacher, I completely disagree with this statement. Writing being produced is most definitely getting worse! Students do not know how to write anymore or what a good writing piece requires; let alone how to use correct grammar, spelling, and quotation marks.
"As teenagers’ scores on standardized reading tests have declined or stagnated, some argue that the hours spent prowling the Internet are the enemy of reading — diminishing literacy, wrecking attention spans and destroying a precious common culture that exists only through the reading of books" (Rich,2008).
I completely agree with this statement. Students' scores are steadily decreasing and I believe it is due to the lack of reading our children are doing. They are so focused on playing video games and participating in social media sites that reading is not an obligation or even an enjoyable pass-time anymore.
Even though I grew up during the booming of technology, carried a cell-phone by the age of 15, and participated in all of the "cool" social-media sites, I believe I fall heavily on the traditionalist side of the debate. Reffering back to the quote I agreed with earlier in my blog, "As teenagers’ scores on standardized reading tests have declined or stagnated, some argue that the hours spent prowling the Internet are the enemy of reading — diminishing literacy, wrecking attention spans and destroying a precious common culture that exists only through the reading of books" (Rich,2008). Standardized scores are dropping people! Karp states in his article, "“And because of the amount of writing we are doing, we tend to devalue what we write." Students do not care about the writing they produce; the grammar chosen, details, structure, etc. It has become unimportant. This is going to kill them when they get older; especially in college!
Resources:
Karp, J. (2010). Does digital media make us bad writers?.Spotlight; Digital Media and Learning, Retrieved from http://spotlight.macfound.org/featured-stories/entry/does-digital-media-make-us-bad-writers
Rich, M. (2008 , July 27). Literacy debate: Online, r u really reading. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
I made the observation as well that students are not engaging in reading as an extra-curricular practice as much anymore. Kids are reading on their phones, iPads, and kindles instead of good ole' fashion print. It is so sad! I wonder what role libraries will have in the future? Will we still use them? Thinking about this is a bit frightening. I just love the feeling of a book in my hands, the smell of the pages as I turn them. I guess I am an old fashion romantic at 28 years of age. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteLaura I couldn't agree more! I have a kindle and never use it simply because I love the feel of a book in my hand and turning the pages! Glad to hear I am not alone with this!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both! There is nothing better then a book. I think we both have the same standing point on technology. It's good & bad. Kids are able to rely on so many things that we did not have as kids and thy are starting younger and younger!
ReplyDeleteI think this conversation about preferences for reading print books over digital reading on the kindle is interesting! I enjoy reading print books more too! However, it does not have much to do with the course readings.
ReplyDeleteIn order to make claims about writing getting worse we need to compare the writing of 4th graders to day with that of 4th grades 5, 10, 15, 20, or 100 years ago Systematic analysis of this kind shows that writing is NOT getting worse. It just always been pretty bad.
The main argument made in all three readings (yes, I think watching a video is a form of reading) is for educators to stop making the assumption that reading and writing is getting worse but to start understanding how it is changing, and to begin to view both kinds of reading and writing are legitimate forms of communication. The important idea for teachers is to begin to learn how to use students interest and skills with digital reading and writing with the kinds of reading and writing we want them to do in school. This is the stance of the National Council of Teacher of English and the Common Core.
It is important in your blog post that you demonstrate understanding of the arguments being made in the course readings and making connection to how they might inform your teaching practices or the teaching practices of others.