Scarlet's Reading Response

In Clive Thompson’s recent article, ‘The New Literacy” he argues against claims that Facebook, texting, blogging and other methods of social networking, are depleting young students’ writing of substance, content and heart. He supports his claim by citing Andrea Lunsford’s mammoth project called “The Stanford Study of Writing.” Her research concluded that today’s new technology is in fact improving students writing and encouraging them to write outside of the classroom. She goes as far to say, “I think we’re in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven’t seen since Greek civilization.” Thompson later goes on to talk about his own findings on the subject. He believes that online chats are helping young people engage in conversations with each other, and in doing so are writing much more than they have in the past. He references a group of Stanford students who were uninterested in writing academic class papers for their professor alone to read and grade. They wanted an audience to read and respond to their ideas, to have a debate. Thompson concludes his argument by saying that today’s young adults have figured it out, “ knowing whom your writing for and why your writing might be the most crucial factor of all.”
In my opinion I think technology has improved young people’s writing. Until reading The New Literacy I never really saw updating my Facebook and texting my friends as writing, but these methods provide an opportunity to communicate indirectly with others as opposed to more traditional methods of face-to-face contact. I think we appreciate defining ourselves as a new generation with new methods to communicate and share ideas rather than being directed as to how to produce them in the classroom. I believe that teenagers have always wanted to offer their opinions and discuss them, having the option to use other means than a five-paragraph essay. However, now that we have access to these alternatives it is unlikely we will return to the older methods of communication which means that teachers need to join the new revolution. In a recent Youtube video by Welsh, students are shown holding signs stating that they are often on Facbook while in class, while others say they have plenty of ideas but are unable to express them in a way that meets their teacher’s expectations. As this new technology has been developed teachers need to connect with their students and use blogging and other methods of social networking to their advantage. I think in doing so everybody would benefit; students could share their ideas with a larger audience and teachers would most likely see an improvement in their students’ work. Social networking has given young adults a chance to express their ideas indirectly without fear of confrontation or criticism. A door has opened to a whole new era of communication and it would be foolish for professors and other members of academia not to explore and take full advantage of these new, cutting edge resources.
~Scarlet