Hi to everyone,
   
  In response to Gina's comments. I don't read hard copy books for pleasure as much as I once did, but in my case it's a matter of available time not lack of desire. I still read the newspaper on a mostly daily basis and still have several magazine subscriptions for areas of interest outside of education. In fact, I found it rather difficult to read the on line article, as I do most in-depth informational text on line. This may add to the argument that older (as in my case) adults find hard copy written information easier to deal with, while younger adults find the e-technology information (e-text, visual graphics and audio) easier to use rather it's for information or pleasure.
   
  However, the article does make several interesting points (even if they were not reasonably substantiated with data). Many learners who suffered from learning impairments are able to communicate at a higher functional level via on line techniques than with traditional paper communications. One of my sons is an example of this, he suffers from dyslexia and had a terrible time with reading and writing in his traditional k-12 studies. Once he acquired the on line skills so common today, his ability to communicate in writing and his functional reading have increased greatly.
   
  Dave Williams

"Lobaccaro Gina (DOC)" <Gina.Lobaccaro at state.de.us> wrote:
        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}        st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }                Hi David – and others!
  I (an adult correctional educator and doctorate student and frequent Internet user)– like the students mentioned in the article – no longer read books for pleasure EVER. I don’t read newspapers or magazines anymore; I check out local and national news daily online.  My eyes are exhausted from the work I do online and from reading textbooks or online readings for my classes.
  I purchased an IPod a few years ago, and now download a book (for pleasure “listening”) now and again – to listen to when I am driving or before I fall asleep.  Or, I have podcasts downloaded to listen to (as opposed to reading magazines).  
  I do “read seriously” but I don’t read for pleasure anymore.  I wonder how many other adult “professionals” (as opposed to students in general) who spend a great deal of time doing computer work (including work online) still do read books for pleasure and/or read the newspaper and magazines regularly.
  J
  Gina
   
      
---------------------------------
  
  From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Cindy Fischer
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:04 AM
To: technology at nifl.gov
Cc: Cindy Fischer
Subject: [Technology 1688] Re: Technology Digest, Vol 34, Issue 15

   
    David,

    Thank you for this great article and great topic.  I am constantly amazed at what our students, who score below 8th grade level in reading and math can do.  They can text with one finger on a tiny machine and talk at the same time.  A few weeks ago, I brought my niece back to Maryland with me after I visited my family in Ohio.  During the 10 hour drive, she managed to carry on a pleasant conversation and text over 900 times!  (I know this because her father got the bill -- he gets a printout even though she has unlimited now).  Her phone is so tiny, I couldn't make out the letters she used to text.  She used her thumb most of the time.  She is a straight A student and does some reading.  She was made to read Three Cups of Tea before entering her 1st year of college, but she was reluctant and didn't want to read it.  She brought it along, but I don't believe she ever opened the book in the two weeks she was with us.  She spent hours on our computer.  

    My point is that our "students" are living in a different world.  What a cliche'.  I have so much trouble with my online credit students getting them to understand that the Wikipedia is not a reliable source.  They have fallen for the Octopus hoax (not all, but far too many).  I'm wondering if what we have to do is teach reliability, credibility, skills etc. and be glad they're reading and writing so much more!  

    Cindy

     

       

    "If you believe in good things, you can  make them happen."

    Cindy 

  


>>> <technology-request at nifl.gov> 7/29/2008 12:00 PM >>>

Send Technology mailing list submissions to
technology at nifl.gov

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
technology-request at nifl.gov

You can reach the person managing the list at
technology-owner at nifl.gov

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Technology digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. [Technology 1687]  Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really
      Reading? (David J. Rosen)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:55:26 -0400
From: "David J. Rosen" <djrosen at comcast.net>
Subject: [Technology 1687]  Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really
Reading?
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List <technology at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <55EFFB5E-9D33-438C-B552-37196464C82B at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; delsp=yes;
format=flowed

Technology colleagues,

Today's New York Times has an article (online, of course) on reading  
online vs reading books. Among other things mentioned are:

? a spoof web site about an endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus  
that 90% of the students of the teacher who assigned the web site  
thought was authentic,
? an Internet literacy test which will be taken by students in OECD  
countries (except the U.S.),  and
? various views about whether reading online is an essential kind of  
reading now or distracting from serious reading.

You'll find the article at:

http://tinyurl.com/6n7vjk

I wonder what you think of this article (the first in a series).

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net





------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Technology and Literacy mailing list
Technology at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology

End of Technology Digest, Vol 34, Issue 15
******************************************


----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Technology and Literacy mailing list
Technology at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology
Email delivered to dwilliams52 at sbcglobal.net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/technology/attachments/20080730/8a4ce3a1/attachment-0001.html