Thursday, November 17, 2011

Journal 9

Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe


Lamb, Annette. "Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe." Learning and Leading with Technology. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november-2011.asp&xgt;.


This particular article presented many highlights that I had never really considered before. Since my childhood there has been many advances in the technological world in regards to reading tablets and other multimedia reading sources. The article by Annette Lamb goes into great detail about the advances in reading technology. First Annette discusses positives such that students are now downloading classroom texts or using e-readers instead of carrying around 40 pound backpacks. This is certainly a positive advancement. For years medical doctors are always talking about the harm of heavy backpacks and students. Annette then poses the question of what does it really mean to read a book? Her response was reading is the process of constructing meaning from symbols. This is an important statement to note because there is a lot of negative hype about digital books rather than paperback books. If a student can construct meaning from symbols presented then that is the definition of reading. There are also many features of e-books that one cannot accomplish with a basic paperback book such as: highlighting tools, dictionaries, digital book marks, font/size change, and note taking tools! Just as well many of these technological e-readers can pronounce words for the reader which will help advance reading skills. It is stated that struggling readers benefit from interactive readers. There are of course always negatives to any side of an argument. The negatives of interactive readers is that often readers can become lost/distracted in the reading from "eye candy" associated with the text. Another main point is that even though there are arrows directing the reader to move forward in the text, often students tend to go backwards and then there is no set path like a traditional book. I feel there needs to be a good combination of both traditional books as well as interactive readers. Educators need to recognize the needs of their students and then proceed from there. 

Question: Do you feel interactive readers should be the the sole source for future students?

Answer: I feel there needs to be a good mix of both traditional books as well as interactive readers. If students rely heavily on e-readers or interactive tools then they may not be comfortable with a traditional book and may even have difficulty staying focused. I agree that certain students would benefit from interactive readers especially if they have language difficulties. 

Question: How educators use interactive readers to help in the classroom?

Answer: Certain e-readers or interactive programs can track a students progress. This will help educators become familiar with the progress of each student and can then help them advance accordingly. These online assessments will help educators remain organized and will also know what level each student is at.

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