My technology background

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6634732036fdac70/

Palfrey and Gasser recorded response

http://www.zshare.net/audio/663018603ab842ed/

Palfrey and Gasser reading response

Another interesting topic, the Introduction of Born Digital, highlights and characterizes the major groups of the digital world. Focusing on the pros and cons of either group, the article brings attention to the split of knowledge of those capable and incapable of performing various computing tasks.

Obvious from the perspective from which the authors, Palfrey and Gasser, write from, it seems as if they’re speaking to digital natives. Beginning with the introduction where they write, “you seem them everywhere, the teenage girl with the ipod..” it’s obvious the writer likely wasn’t cultured during our digital revolution. Another example, Palfrey and Gasser write, “all of them are digital natives, they were born after 1980..” Once again, the reader can deduct from the author’s writing perspective, Palfrey and Gasser are definitely writing to their fellow digital immigrants.

Directed towards parents, educators, and caregivers of all sorts, the book is writing to the digital immigrants. Made obvious from select language such as, “our children” and “they”, (in reference to the digital natives) the author attempts to persuade the digital immigrants to productively use the digital natives’ technological skills.

I feel like the authors accurately categorized the two groups. Comparing those computer literate and illiterate with words that perfectly contrast each other. The terms, “digital native” and “digital immigrant” grant the reader further insight as to what the given group is capable of. Like and immigrant to a country, the digital immigrants are oblivious to most customs and regularities, while the digital natives are rounded to their culture - or in this case, technology.

Finally, accurately composed, I found myself drawing parallels with that of a digital native. Reminiscing of days when I was the one who would refrain from dinner because of an interesting conversation I may be having on AIM , or text messaging while eating, I can clearly identify myself a digital native.

Practice sound link

http://ia301509.us.archive.org/2/items/aesop_fables_volume_one_librivox/fables_01_04_aesop.mp3

Week 3 Reading Response

Reading into Baron, Wesch and Powers’ readings and videos concerning literacy and technology, I found myself relating many of the examples to many of my past technology experiences.

Beginning with Baron’s reading, “From pencils to pixels” the writer points out the evolution of word processing and it’s steps towards the general public. An interesting passage from the essay, “Writing was not initially speech transcription, and pencils were first made for woodworkers, not writers.” I feel like that passage grasps the theme of both the paper, and it’s connection to literacy. Many unorthodox paths are taken toward gaining literacy, and though pencils weren‘t originally created in hopes of advancing literacy, they have probably one the largest influences in literacy for the last few hundred years.

Illustrating the time that can be saved and the advantages of using a computer as opposed to a pad, the Web 2.0 presentation showcased the many advantages of the world wide web. While it probably wasn’t the focus, I found myself learning more about the controls and the options while accessing the internet. As a person who grew up during the rise of the internet, I found myself to the fact that computers and the internet offer an alternate to the classic pencil and pad.

Finally, upon reading into Powers’, “How to read a book” I found myself most moved by the last passage. “Everything we write — through any medium — is lost in translation. But something new is always found again, in their eager years. In Derrida’s fears. Make that: in the reader’s ears.” I found this to be very true. While an individual may write a story or a passage - especially in literature - every individual usually has a different meaning - usually different from the author’s intent.

Week 2 Reading Response

Upon reading into week 2’s response article, “The Disappearance of Technology,” by Bruce and Hogan, I became alarmed at the truths of which the article exposed. A frequent technology user since a young age, I’ve found the conveniences and brilliance of technology have become a near-essential part of my life. From my first experiences with computers when I was eight years old, the introduction of upgrades and advancements have greatly altered my life.

Both a gift and a Curse, technology has it’s ambivalent traits - as does almost everything in life. Affecting everything from education, reading, and even handicap accessibility. The greater integration, our awareness of all technology has become near-oblivious.

Since our earliest innovations, America has prided itself on innovation, and the relief it offers. An interesting point made in the article, our need for the innovation could lead to the downfall of both industries and integrities of which we maintain of market. Nearly every aspiring and thriving business has turned a facet of it’s business towards the internet. While this innovation may come as a convenience to consumers, employers are finding it easier to layoff employees whom the foundation of their core was built upon. Journalism, for example, is facing this crisis now. Once powerhouses, prestigious newspapers such as the Boston Globe are panicking due to their naivety amongst technology and how they can productively administer it by a means of employment. Temporary solutions, such as advertisement on websites, have served as minor solutions hitherto today, but there is need for more discovery. Plenty consider this as a time of crisis, but it is rather another step towards innovation which new means of efficiency have yet to be conquered. These discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg.

Week 1 Reading Response:

Upon reading into the issue of literacy amongst Americans, nostalgic memories of my journey toward learning to reading and writing were evoked. Upon reading into the journey of literacy for Genna May, I found myself indirectly relating to her path and it’s similarities amongst my own family.

Similar to Genna, my parents were raised and descended upon rural families. In the midst of the racial conflicts occurring in the south, my parents weren’t offered as quality an education as many would in the world we live in today. Discouraged to further their education from an early age, my parents were convinced by their surrounding society that their literacy was the least of their priorities. As a result, both my parent would soon find out their lack of higher education would reduce their opportunities amongst a highly literate working world. Treating their experiences as life lessons, my parents decided it was imperative that my brothers and I attain an education to the best of out abilities.

In retrospect, some of the earliest memories I have regarding my literacy were indirect; but nevertheless, effective. Inquiring on hobbies and interests of mines, my mother would often buy books of which she knew I would find interest. In addition, to further improve my reading abilities, my mother would regularly ask me to read to her - assuring herself I was actually reading.

As far as my writing, my parents believed repetition was the key to improving my penmanship. Per inquiring to my teacher, my parents would bring copies of classroom exercises to our household, and following homework, I would repeat the same exercises performed in class in an effort to practice as much as possible.

All in all, with their best interest in mind for myself, my parents reflected on where they felt that could have improved in their younger years, and translated these lessons to my siblings and I. While I could have been watching television or playing outside, my parents knew that their principles of hard work and repetition would eventually pay. The youngest of three boys to successfully enroll in college, my personal journey to literacy has seemed to pay off.