One thing stuck out for me in the reading this week. The article Characteristics of Interactive Online Learning Media mentioned: "A worrying finding in relation to technology and literacy is the suggestion that extensive technology use early in life may inhibit reading later."
I found this interesting for a couple of reasons...
1) In my family, I have a brother (Jr) who is 12 years younger and was raised very differently from me and my other brother (4 years junior). Reading was never promoted for Jr. He spent a lot of time playing video games and watching TV. He wasn't read to often either and when he got to school, he hated reading and was always behind the rest of his class. As an adult, he avoids reading books. My other brother and I were read to, encouraged to read, built images around the words that we read. As an adult, I do consume a lot of movies, but I also read quite a bit as well and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Jr. was just one example, but if the finding above is correct, it will be a different world for learners.
2) I wonder if publishing will become obsolete and everything will be technology based. I suppose for those who grow up in they won't know the difference, won't realize the benefit of holding a book. But, as one who still loves to get a letter over just email...I hope there's a place for both. I appreciate the ease and speed of email, but cherish the well written letter as well. And what happens if the technology breaks down...! Interestingly, a friend of ours who's son is 3 and has his own laptop, prefers to be read to from a book than from his father's Kindle.
-lp
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Some people are betting on the survival of print:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/business/media/17adco.htm
I must say, reading the assignments as a PDF file does not have the same impact of reading an actual text book. I too enjoy reading actual books. But lately I catch myself referencing follow up materials on the internet. While reading, I may put down the book for a few moments to research an unfamiliar topic. I do also love reading criticism and articles about a book, as well as other people reactions to it. For this the internet is invaluable.
I do not have a Kindle, I'm not sure if I would take to it. But in the end of the day isn't it the content thats most important?
btw: Do you think it is the more intimate human contact that your friends son enjoys from reading out of an actual book?
-Ben
Re: my friend's son...I'm not sure if it's the contact as his father often sits in a chair while he sits in his mother's lap listening...and he'd do this whether his father was rading a kindle or a book. I think he likes holding and looking at the book (when his father is not reading from it) and the tactile pleasure of turning the pages, rather than clicking a button.
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