I chose this image because at first - no one knew what these letters meant. I know that when I would see letters that I was unsure of - I would just ask the person. I wasn't very shy about it. However, these words are still used today. It fascinates me that people just automatically know what the person means. It is literally a brand new language.
It can really help students understand the new age of literacy. It lets them know that there are so many ways of communicating in school, out of school, in the work place, and just about anywhere one goes. Also, in the reading it states that it engages students in "decoding, encoding, interpretation, analysis, multi modalities, intertextual reading and writing, lateral reading, collaborative discourse, and multitasking" (Carey).
2. How did your attitudes and beliefs about the value of instant message as a result of reading the research on Instant messaging as a literacy practice?
I honestly have always thought that instant messaging was just a way to communicate with friends. But when reading this article, I realized that it does help our students - it also helped me and my generation of peers. I am actually impressed with all of the complexities in this article dealing with instant messaging.
Source:
Carey, J. (n.d.). Instant Messaging: A Literacy Event. Retrieved June 25, 2013, from Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6DFAmexYq7vYWdXV2RacF9EVXc/edit
I agree with you that IMing was/is good for conversations that were/are difficult in person. I was extremely shy in school and would not verbally share much information or start a conversation with someone I did not know well. However, instant messaging took the "pressure" off of me and allowed me to discuss matters that were important to me or learn more about other people without my social anxiety getting in the way.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not use instant messaging in school with my students, I have noticed that this same concept, when used with classroom blogs, has the same effect with my students. My students are much more likely to share and comment to their classmates than they are in a verbal environment. In addition, their responses are often much "deeper" than what I receive from their oral responses. They also love reading their classmates' responses and are disappointed when they receive no new comments. Technology has really taken collaboration in the classroom to new heights.
I chose the same quote you did! I can relate to it; I remember my first time with IM. I agree it was so much easier to have conversations with IM; I was also very shy in high school and this was the perfect medium to communicate.
ReplyDeleteHa! I think half the class choose that quote! I felt the same way about IM - how freeing. It completely took the pressure off. I was a newlywed the first time I IM-ed but I totally wish I had it to talk to boys when I was in high school! I am interested in trying blogging with my students because of what Kassondra said.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We tend not to think of all of the interpreting, understanding, and decoding involved when we IM. Sad to say, but our ten year old teaches me. And, I turn right around and use it with my friends who live away. IM text can be just as complex as any other type of text.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this reading has made it more explicit how IM and texting may be actually improving young people's ability to communicate in writing. After reading that many of you prefer communication with IM over the phone I beginning to think that IM and texting my even be improving young people's abilities to forge and maintain relationships!
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