While completing the reading assignments for today, Peter Elbow's essay is what I remember most. What he wrote about how children are always praised for everything they say, whether it makes sense or not, is a really interesting way of thinking about speech. I suppose this sticks out to me because it relates to me. I feel like I do have a really hard time explaining myself and arguing verbally, and I have always felt that this is the result of being criticized. In the International Baccalaureate program in high school, I was always surrounded by students who were trained to give oral presentations on the spot--this was their specialty. I was only in the program because I am a hard worker, not necessarily because of natural talents or intelligence. I felt as though I was always criticized and always asked to do better, which could be why I have a hard time speaking in front of people. I never had a hard time with this in elementary school or middle school when I was complimented on my abilities instead of criticized. And now, it's completely different when I'm in front of my newspaper staff. Then, I feel as though I have worked to get to my position and I am not being judged by anyone because they do not question my ability. I'm not sure where this is going, because it just seems like a rant.. but I just feel that if students were encouraged to speak out loud at an earlier age, it would be a much easier thing for them to accomplish during high school and college. I know that teachers are there to make sure that kids learn, but maybe they should allow children more time to talk in front of the class.
As for writing, what Elbow said about writing always being a punishment is very interesting. It seems that this is true, but I still find that many people enjoy writing and use it as a way to escape having to talk. I just wonder if there is some sort of correlation between those who did not get in trouble for talking and those who did in relation to whether or not they like to write.. of course it is a bit cliche that students who do not like to talk like to write instead, but I do suspect that is has a bit to do with elementary school learning...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
"From Pencils to Pixels," response
First, I just want to apologize that I did not post this blog earlier. Instead of ordering my books through Mason for $700, I saved $250 and ordered them all separately through Barnes & Noble. While I did save money, it is extremely inconvenient since each book is being mailed separately and I have only received about four of my books. I decided that I would wait until Monday morning to see if the book would come in the mail, but it did not, so I am posting now after finding the article on the Internet.. so, I'm really sorry!
It is interesting to think that at one time, people were having discussions like our class discussion about pencils and how they affected society. It is just not something that I have ever thought about, as if pencils have been here since the creation of man or something.. haha. Like Baron says, pencils do seem a bit old fashioned, so it’s hard to see them as a technology that people thought would tarnish the act of speaking and thinking.
Thinking that teachers did not used to like calculators and spell check because they thought that students would forget how to add simple numbers and spell is an interesting thought that I think definitely has merit. With information so readily available, it’s as if nothing truly needs to be memorized. With the press of a few letters, I can look up where the Persian Gulf is or what Shakespeare meant by asking “To be, or not to be?” It’s too easy to rely on the help of the Internet, and even easier to neglect actual learning. What truly bugs me is the use of free translation websites for language courses. This is just an example of how using resources that are readily available to you is hindering the action of actual learning.
Not only is technology making actual knowledge less valuable, it is also making truth less of a norm. This trend is outrageous, as students are warned daily about being wary of using certain sources in research. Websites can now be edited by users who may or may not have knowledge regarding the subject of the site.. and it’s just so easy to create a website that who knows what to truly believe.
In a way, things that are in a hard copy version seem to be more believable, especially more reliable when it comes to using a book as a source. Perhaps that is why the journalists that I encounter value being printed in the print edition of the newspaper so much. Being printed online has become commonplace, as anyone can truly be published online.
The other day, a member of the student government came into the newspaper office and told us about how George Mason University is about to spend $80 million to revamp Fenwick Library. This student was highly upset to hear about this because aside from building up more debt for the university, nothing about a new library filled with more and more books is eco-friendly or innovative. This student demands that the school build up a library online, with e-books instead of hard copy books.
While this all sounds great, and I fully support all efforts to reduce the use of natural materials where efforts can be made to recycle and use other means of producing things such as books and buildings, I just cannot wrap my mind around the thought of getting rid of libraries and books. Thinking that one day I could be reading all of my course material in this little MacBook of mine scares me, if only because I tend to like tradition in some aspects.
I suppose you can say I’m a bit like those teachers concerned that their students will forget how to spell. If we lose the use of hard copy texts, will people lose their ability to research, motivation to get off their butts to do work, and appreciation of the presentation of texts?
If I’m ever on Jeopardy, I definitely hope the final question is about pencils because then I am sure I will be rich after reading that article.
It is interesting to think that at one time, people were having discussions like our class discussion about pencils and how they affected society. It is just not something that I have ever thought about, as if pencils have been here since the creation of man or something.. haha. Like Baron says, pencils do seem a bit old fashioned, so it’s hard to see them as a technology that people thought would tarnish the act of speaking and thinking.
Thinking that teachers did not used to like calculators and spell check because they thought that students would forget how to add simple numbers and spell is an interesting thought that I think definitely has merit. With information so readily available, it’s as if nothing truly needs to be memorized. With the press of a few letters, I can look up where the Persian Gulf is or what Shakespeare meant by asking “To be, or not to be?” It’s too easy to rely on the help of the Internet, and even easier to neglect actual learning. What truly bugs me is the use of free translation websites for language courses. This is just an example of how using resources that are readily available to you is hindering the action of actual learning.
Not only is technology making actual knowledge less valuable, it is also making truth less of a norm. This trend is outrageous, as students are warned daily about being wary of using certain sources in research. Websites can now be edited by users who may or may not have knowledge regarding the subject of the site.. and it’s just so easy to create a website that who knows what to truly believe.
In a way, things that are in a hard copy version seem to be more believable, especially more reliable when it comes to using a book as a source. Perhaps that is why the journalists that I encounter value being printed in the print edition of the newspaper so much. Being printed online has become commonplace, as anyone can truly be published online.
The other day, a member of the student government came into the newspaper office and told us about how George Mason University is about to spend $80 million to revamp Fenwick Library. This student was highly upset to hear about this because aside from building up more debt for the university, nothing about a new library filled with more and more books is eco-friendly or innovative. This student demands that the school build up a library online, with e-books instead of hard copy books.
While this all sounds great, and I fully support all efforts to reduce the use of natural materials where efforts can be made to recycle and use other means of producing things such as books and buildings, I just cannot wrap my mind around the thought of getting rid of libraries and books. Thinking that one day I could be reading all of my course material in this little MacBook of mine scares me, if only because I tend to like tradition in some aspects.
I suppose you can say I’m a bit like those teachers concerned that their students will forget how to spell. If we lose the use of hard copy texts, will people lose their ability to research, motivation to get off their butts to do work, and appreciation of the presentation of texts?
Writing beliefs continued.
I just wanted to finish up my thoughts and say that I feel the belief of many people is that when writing on paper, or something that you can physically hold, the words are more your own.
Beliefs about writing.
What superstitions or strong beliefs do you have about writing and writing technologies?
This is new to me, typing up a journal entry for a class on the computer.
The last time I had a journal for a class, it was in fifth grade and we wrote on a little steno notepad. We were required to fill one page, front and back, but I always went over because my handwriting is big and I never know when to stop. Normally when writing on paper, you sit and think about what you are going to write to prevent having to erase your words so often, and while everyone started typing up this blog immediately, I still found myself thinking about what I was going to write. I guess it is a bit unnecessary now, seeing as how the backspace bar takes care of mistakes far more quickly than an eraser (and it's much cleaner, from the perspective of someone who dislikes pencil marks messing up a perfect sheet of white paper).
When you asked us about how we would feel if teachers started teaching children to write through the computer instead of on paper, I immediately though of my newspaper, Broadside. We are a weekly print paper, just recently having merged our website with a great Student Media website. Our website used to be the place where we would send all of our articles so that readers could access them online and make comments about the stories. Nowadays, the newspaper business is quickly heading to the online world, leaving the print side of journalism in the dust--but not necessarily for college students. When we have student journalists visit our offices looking to publish their work, they are looking to have their work printed on hard copy; the thought of publishing the stories online and not in print is very upsetting to them. I wonder if this is because the print newspaper is such a great tradition, and such a big part of history.
I prefer the print edition, too.
This is new to me, typing up a journal entry for a class on the computer.
The last time I had a journal for a class, it was in fifth grade and we wrote on a little steno notepad. We were required to fill one page, front and back, but I always went over because my handwriting is big and I never know when to stop. Normally when writing on paper, you sit and think about what you are going to write to prevent having to erase your words so often, and while everyone started typing up this blog immediately, I still found myself thinking about what I was going to write. I guess it is a bit unnecessary now, seeing as how the backspace bar takes care of mistakes far more quickly than an eraser (and it's much cleaner, from the perspective of someone who dislikes pencil marks messing up a perfect sheet of white paper).
When you asked us about how we would feel if teachers started teaching children to write through the computer instead of on paper, I immediately though of my newspaper, Broadside. We are a weekly print paper, just recently having merged our website with a great Student Media website. Our website used to be the place where we would send all of our articles so that readers could access them online and make comments about the stories. Nowadays, the newspaper business is quickly heading to the online world, leaving the print side of journalism in the dust--but not necessarily for college students. When we have student journalists visit our offices looking to publish their work, they are looking to have their work printed on hard copy; the thought of publishing the stories online and not in print is very upsetting to them. I wonder if this is because the print newspaper is such a great tradition, and such a big part of history.
I prefer the print edition, too.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
