Unit 3 Essay Post

Learning takes place on many different occasions, at all different times and in many different means. As each of us has transitioned into different discourses in our lives, we have most likely discovered what learning style works best for us. We have come to rely more and more on the convenience and reliability of computers and the internet. It’s not very often I would chose to pick up a pencil over the option of my PC. In today’s day and age, if given the choice, most would agree. We as a society have become so dependent on our computers, it has become our main source for communication as well as education.
All through my primary education, from elementary to high school, I had to write essays. The topics obviously varied as my education advanced, however, the method remained the same. We were to research our topic, using a minimum of 3 hard copy books. There was one rule set in place; any usage of the internet would not be tolerated. Teachers believed the internet wasn’t a reliable source for information. As I look back on that experience, it seems foreign to me. In today’s society, so many of us, including myself, rely on computers and the World Wide Web as our main source for information. We use them for research, organization and most commonly, communication. In the essay, “From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies” by Dennis Baron, we are introduced to Baron’s opinion of the transition from paper to computer. He talks about the same uneasiness my teachers had. He says, “Not only must the new technology be accessible and useful, it must demonstrate its trustworthiness as well” (72). Since the invention of the computer, it has become a part of our daily lives. We tend to forget the times before them, when we relied solely on pens and paper.
The use of computers for me has become second nature. I use them at work, at home, and even on my cell phone. So, for me, it only seemed natural for me to continue my education by taking online classes. I must admit, the convenience factor played a big role in this decision. I thought it would be easier for me to work at my own pace, and have all material needed available to me at all times. What I didn’t realize, was the amount of work required to be successful in an online course. It takes a lot of self motivation, as I am one who gets distracted easily. In Walter Ong’s essay, “Writing is a Technology that Restructures Thought,” he discusses the importance of oral versus written communication. Ong believes oral communication is a key element in literacy. He states, “Once reduced to space, words are frozen and in a sense dead” (22). Before reading Ong, I had never thought of words as being living or dead. However, I think it is a valid point. While the handiness of online courses is obvious, there are other aspects to examine as well. The lack of face to face communication can be a hindrance. In order for students to communicate with their teacher and fellow classmates, we must write out our thoughts and questions. There are no immediate responses, and sometimes ideas can be misconstrued. Although all of us are entitled to our own opinions and interpretations, we may not be privy to another classmate’s analyses, which may prove to be important to the discourse. However, with computer based courses, we are unable to communicate these questions verbally. This is why our words can become frozen. Once written, they are locked in time.
As technology advances, so does the way students are taught. Many schools have completely replaced pens, pencils and notebooks with electronic devices. Students now have one place to take notes, do research and compose writing works. Some may argue this way of teaching deters students from reaching their full learning potential. In the article, “Online – R U Really Reading” by Motoko Rich, we see the effects some students face from reading online instead of hard copy books. Some people believe the internet is the “enemy of reading — diminishing literacy, wrecking attention spans and destroying a precious common culture that exists only through the reading of books” (1). While I agree there are plenty of distractions on the internet, I believe it is a convenient place for students to learn. I think when it comes to books, we have the tendency to look ahead. This can sometimes put extra pressure on us because we feel like we are reading just to get it done. The connection to the material can easily be lost. Online, the shortened paragraphs, the larger font and the inclusion of the occasional pictures can make for a more engaging and smoother read. I think as time goes on, and the technology continues to advance, we will see less and less people who read from hard copy books. I believe we will see much more of the web and electronic based books as time progresses.
Computers have become a staple in today’s society. We use them to email, organize, task, socialize and work. We rely on them to be our communication companion. Even though we all learn and grow at different paces, one thing is certain. As times change, our reliance on computers will always remain the same. As they become been more and more integrated into our lives, we will continue to see a decline in the use of pens and paper and an increase in the advancement of electronics. As Walter Ong says, “Writing separates past from present” (26). As the means in which we write transitions, we will be able to see a clear definition from past to present writing tactics as well.