R U Really Reading, Online

Literacy is nothing less of the ability to read and write. Nadia, the student focused on within “Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading” by Motoko Rich choses to use digital media for her literature and she proves her proficiency by producing above average grades within school. She maintains A’s and B’s. Everyone has different interests; reading is reading. If a child chooses to read all day on the computer and still produces adequate grades then who is to judge her chosen method. If an adult asks a child to stop reading just because it is not a topic of their choosing then shame on them. All reading expands knowledge. All reading tends to increase vocabulary skills. Literacy proficiency is not affected by the topic or method chosen it is affected by the lack of the activity entirely.

Literacy is transitioning to new media landscapes and it is nothing but beneficial to those who require diversified learning. These new landscapes just further the learning experience. They are more visual as well as interactive. The visual aspect tends to provide a clearer understanding. For example, growing up teachers would assign a particular piece of literature. At the end of the unit the teacher would play the movie based on the book. This movie would always clarify points missed while reading or at least reinforce what was read. Students such as English Language Learners take much benefit to these new methods. Teachers often use these new technology mediums for their differentiated instruction to assist these students with their comprehension. When concepts are understood clearly they tend to help learners create connections, and when the learners create connections it tends to fuel critical thinking.

The internet holds much potential of value. It is appealing to all sorts of learners if used properly. From personal experience, when taught the difference between reliable sources versus non reliable the internet can provide you with endless information needed to get through required classes and curriculum. It is extremely common these days that even professors use the internet to facilitate learning; they obtain reading material that the course focuses on from the internet. There are endless amounts of literature databases at your fingertips within the World Wide Web. These classics that debaters refer to; claiming that students should be reading instead of browsing on the internet because they hold more value are most likely easily located in the tool that they are criticizing. The internet is not the enemy. Our students are reading and that’s all that matters. Instead of ruling out the internet as a literacy resource, we should just teach students how to use it properly.