“We need to
decide whether we wish to take writing seriously and if we value the importance
of a properly chosen word,” Baron says (Karp, Does Digital Media Make us Bad Writiers) – I agree I with this statement. We as educators have to decide if we value
the way if is written or what words are being used. The English language is
hard for children to navigate. I say this because my 5-year-old daughter is in
kindergarten and she is learning to read and write and she struggles with how
words sound the same but are spelled differently. As a parent and a teacher it
is difficult to explain the rules to her. I think it is more important phonetic
sound of the words and discover how to read and write.
Where do I stand on the continuum between Web Evangelist and Traditionalist. I don't believe that the digital age is destroying children's ability to read and write. Children are given plenty of opportunities to read and write in school. Children are also being encouraged to use more digital tools in schools and homes because the world is changing. I feel if they are not introduced to new digital medias, then we are doing more harm then good. Why, because we have to grow with the times and changing media and our children are they ones that will change why we used these tools.
TEDTalk video, “Txting is
killing language JK!!!” John McWhorter
discussed “fingered speech.” He was referring to “we write the way we walk.” At
first I wasn’t sure if I was going to agree with his message, but after I
listened to what he had to say. I got it! When we text we do write how we speak
and abbreviate words to hurry the conversation along. Sometimes I think it
would be easier and faster to call the person then to text your message. TEDTalk/
John McWhorter, Txting is killing language. JK!!
The next point that he made
was about “new information markers.” That concept was new to me too. I have
never texted anyone and the typed SLASH. McWhorter stated that SLASH was a way
to change the conversation without saying that you were changing the conversation.
A lot of things can be lost in a text message, especially the way we change
conversation with non-verbal clues and the tone and inflection of our voice.
TEDTalk/ John McWhorter, Txting is killing language. JK!!
McWhorter, J. (2013, April 22).Txting is Killing Language. JK!! (You Tube).TEDTalks Retrieved from http.//www.ted.com/translate
Karp,J. Does media make us bad writers? Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning.
