Online Literacy A "Lesser" Kind

I found the article by Bauerlin, Online Literacy Is A "Lesser" Kind, to be quite harsh at times. Although, I do agree with him that some more complex literature needs to be focused on without digitalized learning, for the most part I am a firm believer in having smart boards and online references in the classroom.

I am a visual learner and I really appreciate it when there are visual/digital aids in the classroom, it’s another way for me to learn the information better and get a clearer picture of the material. To say that having a digital aid in the classroom is not a good thing and that it should be limited is wrong in my opinion. The world functions on the internet and any career a student will have after college will need to have strong knowledge of the computer. It makes no sense to start taking away computers and digitalized learning aids when the world is going to continue to progress with internet and technology uses in the business world.

Even though some studies are showing that there is no obvious advantage to learning by the digital technology, it’s still important for students to be connected in that digital way because every job that a student will have after college will focus around the internet and digital technology. It makes sense to have as much technology in schools as possible because that’s what students will encounter in the work force. In other words, the exposure to technology is important even if studies show mixed results.

Although there are critics calling our generation dumb, due to our internet use and reliance on technology to do all the work, having information available to us at the click of a button increases knowledge in my opinion and makes us smarter overall. One can do more research in a short period of time by clicking a couple of buttons, as opposed to having to go check out books at the library. This is why I find it hard to believe that my generation is the dumbest generation. In many ways, I believe we will be one of the smartest, due to the fact we grew up with the internet.

Overall, I do not agree with Bauerlin’s idea of limiting the use of technology in the classroom. I feel like that would be like going back in time. In regard to the scanning reading problem with students, I feel like if you’re the type of person to scan the internet you are also the type of person to scan a book. I don’t feel like the blame should be on the internet. If you’re going to scan something your going to scan something, regardless of the medium.