I thought the caption you wrote accurately captures the attitudes of today and the future towards reading books. Nowadays, information is passed around so quickly that many can barely stand to stop for a second to read a book, whether it be for school, work or entertainment. We have all essentially evolved as readers from using actual books to reading off of computer screens. Students no longer go to libraries for research and instead just stay at their desk and search online. With the rise in popularity of e-readers and tablets such as the Kindle and iPad, casual and frequent readers are now resorting to technology to satisfy their needs. It's unfortunate to think that until a book is converted into a digital form, that its value will be undermined just because it can't be downloaded from the internet.
Emily, I feel like I have been guilty of thinking this at times too. I think that it is because of the way the technology has changed our work ethic. The thought of simply going on a browser and typing in exactly what I need to know is much more appealing that going to the library, finding the correct book with the information that I need and then finding the actually information within the book. I think that nearly every student of our generation has thought the same quote that you put to describe your picture. It is now just our jobs to try and stop that thought process from continuing and showing our students how important it is to utilize all of their resources, not just their easier ones.
Convenience plays a great factor into pushing books on students. They just don't want to do work that requires even more from them. Instant gratification, if you want to call it. I know I have friends that won't read a book unless it's in ebook format. Do you think that this is the direction that English education is moving in? All the technologies in the videos and reading were great, but none were really beneficial to English as a subject exactly. While I love books, and refuse to buy ebooks, I do understand their importance and influence they will hold over future students, and if this is the way of the future for us, it's something we may need to get used to.
Although your image is true in relation to today's younger generation, your quote makes me cringe! I can not wrap my mind around enjoying a book without it in your hands and the smell of old paper at my fingertips. However, with the technologies that surround us (iPads, Kindles, nooks, and laptops) the ebook is unavoidable. I think the ebook technology and the internet searches have led to the laziness factor that comes along with technology. Students know they have many mega search engines at their fingertips and use that to their advantage as a way to avoid actually reading their assignments. As a future English teacher, I'm sure this make you just as angry as it does to me! Hopefully with the ever-changing world of technology, students will still be able to appreciate the beauty of a well written book without having to search SparkNotes first!
Emily, I found your picture and quote to be interesting because unfortunately this has become increasingly true recently. Many students will no longer read their textbooks and other written course materials because they feel that they can find similar material online that is more accessible and easier to grasp. This sentiment is also expressed by Dan Brown in his video "An Open Letter to Educators." How do you feel that educators should adapt to counter this sentiment shared by many students? Is there anyway teachers can instill and foster a greater appreciation of literature and written work in their students?
I know exactly how you feel, Emily. So many of my friends prefer reading on their iPads, Kindles or Nooks. Like kmmorone, however, I am enamored with the feel of paper in my hand, with smooth hardcovers, with that papery smell. I think the convenience of having something online should be considered, too, though. So often, I admit to wishing my books had a control + f function so I could find specific, seemingly lost passages. Bookmarks never fall out and there's the advantage of having many books at your fingertip without the weight. I believe we have to show students that what we read in class is beneficial, but if they'd rather read the same text online, so long as we know they aren't dilly-dallying on facebook, we should allow them to do so. Embracing technology can make swallowing it easier.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI thought the caption you wrote accurately captures the attitudes of today and the future towards reading books. Nowadays, information is passed around so quickly that many can barely stand to stop for a second to read a book, whether it be for school, work or entertainment. We have all essentially evolved as readers from using actual books to reading off of computer screens. Students no longer go to libraries for research and instead just stay at their desk and search online. With the rise in popularity of e-readers and tablets such as the Kindle and iPad, casual and frequent readers are now resorting to technology to satisfy their needs. It's unfortunate to think that until a book is converted into a digital form, that its value will be undermined just because it can't be downloaded from the internet.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have been guilty of thinking this at times too. I think that it is because of the way the technology has changed our work ethic. The thought of simply going on a browser and typing in exactly what I need to know is much more appealing that going to the library, finding the correct book with the information that I need and then finding the actually information within the book. I think that nearly every student of our generation has thought the same quote that you put to describe your picture. It is now just our jobs to try and stop that thought process from continuing and showing our students how important it is to utilize all of their resources, not just their easier ones.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteConvenience plays a great factor into pushing books on students. They just don't want to do work that requires even more from them. Instant gratification, if you want to call it. I know I have friends that won't read a book unless it's in ebook format. Do you think that this is the direction that English education is moving in? All the technologies in the videos and reading were great, but none were really beneficial to English as a subject exactly. While I love books, and refuse to buy ebooks, I do understand their importance and influence they will hold over future students, and if this is the way of the future for us, it's something we may need to get used to.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteAlthough your image is true in relation to today's younger generation, your quote makes me cringe! I can not wrap my mind around enjoying a book without it in your hands and the smell of old paper at my fingertips. However, with the technologies that surround us (iPads, Kindles, nooks, and laptops) the ebook is unavoidable. I think the ebook technology and the internet searches have led to the laziness factor that comes along with technology. Students know they have many mega search engines at their fingertips and use that to their advantage as a way to avoid actually reading their assignments. As a future English teacher, I'm sure this make you just as angry as it does to me! Hopefully with the ever-changing world of technology, students will still be able to appreciate the beauty of a well written book without having to search SparkNotes first!
Emily, interesting photo. Can you help me understand your choice of technology?
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI found your picture and quote to be interesting because unfortunately this has become increasingly true recently. Many students will no longer read their textbooks and other written course materials because they feel that they can find similar material online that is more accessible and easier to grasp. This sentiment is also expressed by Dan Brown in his video "An Open Letter to Educators." How do you feel that educators should adapt to counter this sentiment shared by many students? Is there anyway teachers can instill and foster a greater appreciation of literature and written work in their students?
I know exactly how you feel, Emily. So many of my friends prefer reading on their iPads, Kindles or Nooks. Like kmmorone, however, I am enamored with the feel of paper in my hand, with smooth hardcovers, with that papery smell. I think the convenience of having something online should be considered, too, though. So often, I admit to wishing my books had a control + f function so I could find specific, seemingly lost passages. Bookmarks never fall out and there's the advantage of having many books at your fingertip without the weight. I believe we have to show students that what we read in class is beneficial, but if they'd rather read the same text online, so long as we know they aren't dilly-dallying on facebook, we should allow them to do so. Embracing technology can make swallowing it easier.
ReplyDelete