Technology and the Engaged Literacy Learner

Yesterday I finished reading the article "Technology and the Engaged Literacy Learner" written by Linda B. Gambrell. I found many interesting topics throughout this article and many that were controversial in my house when I was a teenager.

My mother hated the fact that I was always on the computer when AOL became the new hot thing to use. Granted she did everything to protect me by using parental controls, she was extremly hesitant to even allow me to make a screen name, furthermore "play" on the internet. Many parents today still feel this way as their children are using myspace, facebook, etc - but I feel that parents are much more lienant with their children now, as oppossed to how strict my mother was back then.

The point in me mentioning my history of using the computer is because although I think students being able to do research, explore, and blog online is amazing thing, it is still very important to make sure they remain safe (as it is mentioned in the article and in Richardson's book) The article also mentioned that one day encyclopedia's may no longer exist. Not only do I find that "insane", but a litte sad at the same time. I know we can have a ton of information at our finger tips, but i cannot personally imagine having kids and not teaching them how to look up information in texts and encyclopedias. (I guess I will see what the future brings!)

"...students who were allowed and encouraged to choose their own reading materials expended more effort in learning and understanding the material they read" (p.291) I AM PROOF THAT THIS IS TRUE! For all of us that took Eng 374, we know how very true it is that we became better, motivated and explored readers since we constantly had the opportunity of choice. I read books I never would have thought of reading before, studied authors that I had never heard of, and my desire to read has increased dramatically.

I agree with the article when it mentioned that students become avid readers after being exposed to more information on the internet and blogs. I can definitly see how that is true and hopefully more students will become more engaged in reading! I love the thought of online book clubs, discussion groups and journal writing because it is so much more accomodating for people to work with and so many more people feel comfortable engaging in their hobbies in the privacy of their own homes!