6809 - Weekly Reading #5

"A closer examination of Patty’s designing of her Webkinz site entails an understanding of a number of roles, such as pet owner, shopper, and interior decorator, and the earning of virtual money through games of chance and various jobs, which allows her to care for her five pets" (Rowsell, Burke).

I chose this quote because it proves that computers and technology have become so important to our youth. These are stuffed animals that incorporate real life situations within them using the internet. As the quote says, she is undergoing many 'real life' roles while using this sort of technology. There is digital text involved with this play as well as life lessons and important responsibilities that Patty undergoes. This is just a past time – most of the play that children do is just a past time. As educators, we need to realize that students do know much about technology; however, we need to teach them how to use it properly and ethically.

Retrieved from: http://repeatingislands.com/2012/04/17/cfp-books-and-reading-in-the-digital-age-emerging-reading-writing-and-research-practices/

Even though this image is obviously an adult, I feel that this image is similar to what children may do.  They are getting used to dealing with touch screens and digital technology, that they are surprised by the way things were done in the past.

1. What did you learn about how reading of digital texts differs from the reading of print texts?

Digital texts are easier to access; however, may be a little more difficult to read.  For example, digital texts may not just use words - it may use sounds and visuals to get more out of the text.  Print texts only have printed words.  Also, Print text is in a column or on a page where it is organized.  Digital text may be everywhere - the reader has to decide what to read and when.  When one is done reading a print text - there is nothing left of it but some resources, maybe.  In a digital text - there may be videos, images, or links to other readings.

2. Do agree the the reading of digital texts are complex?

Absolutely.  However, complex does not always mean 'harder'.  As I stated in question one, the reader deals with sounds, images, videos, and other links.  There may be so many things going on within this text; however, I feel that this just makes the text more exciting.  Another complex aspect of digital text may be the fonts, colors, and backgrounds.  This is also something that could happen within print texts; however, it is just more complex with the digital version due to the animations or images that may go along side of it.

3. Do you think that reading digital texts has value for reading in school?

Absolutely.  In this day and age, digital text is everywhere.  It is places that we do not even realize - restaurants, movie theaters, stores, sports venues, amusement parks, concerts, etc.  It is inevitable that these students are going to grow up reading digital texts.  They will also use it in higher grades, college, work place, and they will have to learn it somewhere.  I feel that they best place for them to learn it all is while they are learning everything else in schools.  

4. How might a teacher connect Peter's online reading skills with academic reading? How might this improve Peter's academic reading?

Because of Peter's outstanding digital text reading skills, a teacher could use an internet source, webquest, or  any kind of activities to help Peter in with his academic reading skills.  Also, she could incorporate Naruto or any anime things that Peter has interest in.  This will improve his academic reading because it will use all of his interests while using the curriculum from his schooling.

Source:
Rowsell, J., & Burke, A. (2009, October). Reading by Design: Two Case Studies of Digital Reading Practices. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53(2), pp. 106-118. doi:10.1598/JAAL.53.2.2