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Garrett Simes

Professor Jan Rieman

English 1103

11/12/10

Self-Assessment

Technology in Literacy

Technology has changed the way people live their lives. It is impossible to avoid

technology. Whether it is a cell phone, laptop, or a television set, technology penetrates every

aspect of life. Because of this, technology has changed literacy and the way it is taught. For my

inquiry paper, I wondered how technology has affected literacy. Through my research I learned a

great deal about technology’s impact. I learned how technology is incorporated into literacy and

literacy education. I discovered a new language that has been formed from technology. I found

out that the quality of technology used in literacy is more important than the quantity of

technology used.

Evidence of technology is everywhere you look in the classroom. It is changing the way

we present literacy. Every traditional teaching component has been touched by technology.

Long ago, when a teacher wanted to share information with the class he or she would write it on

the chalkboard. Chalkboards were then replaced by the dry erase board. After dry erase boards,

a teacher could type up the information and show it to students using an “overhead projector.”

The teacher typed out the information on clear sheets of plastic and they were projected on a

drop-down screen using a light bulb and a couple mirrors. They were a nightmare of
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adjustments and focus issues. Now teachers have quite a few options when it comes to

presenting information. Professors at UNC Charlotte use what is called a “Smart Podium.” This

one piece of technology does everything but teach the class. The podium includes a DVD

Player, touch screen computer, speakers and what is called a Doccam. The Doccam is the

newest version of the overhead projector. It uses the same principle except uses a camera instead

of light bulbs and mirrors. We rarely turn in hard copies of work for classes. UNC Charlotte

uses Moodle as an online way to turn in assignments for class. At least eighty percent of my

assignments are due via Moodle instead of in class. Peter Relic, the president of the National

Association of Independent Schools says that “To be computer literate is essential to the ability

to function in modern society. For independent schoolchildren to participate and to lead in this

society they must be educated, starting with the basics of reading, writing, computational skills --

and computer literacy.” (1) This is evident in the use of technology in teaching. Children must

be able to keep up with technology as it is used to teach them.

Children have been very receptive to this new technology. Young people as a whole

have created a new language within the English language as a direct result of technology. This

new language is used mostly on the internet by teenagers and young adults. It is used in chat

rooms, on blogs, on instant messengers and text messaging. The language is a condensed

version of English using abbreviations instead of full words. Some “words” in this language

include LOL, IDK, and CUL8ER. Many of the words use letters that sound like the words they

represent. The words mean Laugh Out Loud, I Don’t Know, and see you later, respectively.

Kirsten Turner, an associate professor of education at Fordham University in New York,

discusses this digital language, following a sample text message conversation says “As I copy

this text conversation into Microsoft Word, the screen lights up with red. Every line of this
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exchange lights up with red. Microsoft Word, it seems, does not ‘get’ the language of these

speakers and attacks the black-and-white text with its red pen. For Microsoft Word, These

writers are wrong.” (42-43) This is not an uncommon belief. Many adults are completely lost

when they see this type of language. This language is most popular with teens and young adults.

Technology by itself does not ensure quality education and literacy. Quality is, and

always will be, more important than quantity. Technology is less like money and experience

where more is more; it is more like pickup trucks. Just because you have a bunch of pickup

trucks does not mean you have one that will get you to work. The quality of pickup trucks is

much more important than the number of trucks you have. Technology is a tool, and just

because you have it, does not necessarily mean you know how to use it. Having technology is

like having the 10,000 piece craftsman tool set. Just because you have a cornucopia of pieces,

does not mean that you can go out and build a house.

Technology has changed a lot of things. It has changed the way we learn literacy. It has

fostered the growth of a new language. It has not, however; replaced good teaching of literacy.

Technology has changed the way literacy is taught, but has not really changed general literacy.

People are still people and act the same way we always have. Technology has just changed the

amount of information we have available. (Brown and Slagter 236) Technology will forever

change the way we see literacy, but literacy will always be there and should always be taught.
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Works Cited

Brown, Abbie, and Patricia J. Slagter van Tryon. "Twenty-First Century Literacy: A Matter of
Scale from Micro to Mega." Clearing House 83.6 (2010): 235-238. Academic Search
Premier. EBSCO.Web. 6 Oct. 2010.

Relic, Peter D. "Some Cautions About Technology." Independent School 57.3 (1998): 7.
Academic Search Premier. EBSCO.Web. 4 Nov. 2010.

Turner, Kristen Hawley. "Digitalk: A New Literacy for a Digital Generation." Phi Delta Kappan
91.9 (2010): 41-46. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO.Web. 6 Oct. 2010.