I have always needed to be
physically involved with any texts I am reading for anything apart from
pleasure. For example, the readings for this assignment had to be printed out
before they could be read so I could underline and annotate as I went along. Colleagues
of mine, both socially and at work, are able to load the same texts onto their
mobile reading device and annotate digitally. That does not work for me. The
act of connecting thoughts occurs for me when I am physically marking up the
paper- it assists my recall later. Reading for pleasure or entertainment, on
the other hand, I have come to much prefer reading on a screen- be it a
computer, eReader, or other mobile device. I own both a tablet and eInk
eReader, and they leave the house with me on a daily basis.
This need to print out materials
for study means when there is material apart from the written word within a
text I have to put a bit more work into making sure I gather all parts to
print. As pointed out by Gillen and Barton (2010), the use of entities such as
computers allow for different approaches to reading, and thus teaching. Often
the things I am reading for research or work purposes contain links to other
information or presentations that are integral to the original text. So the act
of reading, and for me printing, is no longer a strictly linear activity.
As there are different learning
styles in the traditional classroom, there will be different learning styles in
regards to the utilization of new technologies. Apart from being a librarian I
am a writer. Being able to search online databases and other environments such
as forums, blogs, and chats has been invaluable to my ability to do quick
research when on a deadline or when I have honestly just written myself into a
corner. Again, I will generally print out information I think I will reference
more than once but I do utilize online environments for research itself- even
something as simple as a quick image search or using Google Earth to get a feel
for a place I am trying to describe.
As a librarian I can be a little wary
of personal blogs for research use. I do use them, but I spend a lot of time
verifying the information contained within. I will read a few blogs on the same
topic and see where they agree, where they do not. Again, as a librarian who
spends a lot of time teaching reference skills and digital literacy, blogs are
an incredible tool for that exercise. Huffaker (2005) states that blogs are a
perfect medium for literacy. They are a magnificent tool for both traditional
and digital literacy. Blog authors must have the ability to read and write, and
a basic comfort with computers and the internet so as to post their blogs. They
can expand that skill by tinkering with the layout and format of the blog
itself as they go along. Beyond that, the act of reading and interacting with
blogs helps teach individuals the skills needed to be discerning readers, as I
mentioned before. I once had someone confront me over information I had posted
in a blog I maintain, stating that I was misinforming my readers. My response
was to state I hoped my readers would read what I had to say, and then do their
own research as opposed to taking a single blog on the internet as straight
truth.
Gillen, J., & Barton, D. (2010). Digital Literacies. Retrieved from http://www.tlrp.org/docs/DigitalLiteracies.pdf
Huffaker, D. (2005). The educated
blogger: Using weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom.
AACE Journal, 13(2), 91-98
AACE Journal, 13(2), 91-98
To be honest I did the same thing to the readings that you did. I printed them out, highlighted and wrote notes in the margin. In the Literacay and new technologies reading I was happy to see that the author alludes to the fact that new technology does not replace the previous technologies. I think that while electronic based reading is convenient and easy there is no way (yet) to easily take notes the same way we do on printed paper. And to be completely honest, if we are talking about the ergonomic values of computers, I find it easier to get comfortable with a lightweight piece of paper than it is with my laptop, even my beloved iPad. As small and lightweight as the iPad is, I don't want to hold it all the time.
ReplyDeleteGreetings April,
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your post. I completely agree with you when you stated that you were "a little wary of personal blogs for research use". Blogs, Wiki, and other sites can be a great starting point for research. But, like you, I make every attempt to collaborate what I am reading with other sources, journal, hardcopy, and referenced sites. As we transition to more collaborative media technologies to create an environment for learning, I believe we need to be mindful of what is fact and what is opinion. The following link is about evaluating Internet Information: http://www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/unit07/internet07_08.phtml.
One note about writing notes, I will open things in OneNote and make notes this way. It isn't always the best way but it works a lot for me.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI also can associate completely with the need to print and mark up. I find it most helpful. I even find that although I have a Kindle I still like to get a book and use the Kindle more for just traveling. I also find that I retain the information more if I actually have it in print opposed to electronically. I wonder if there have been any studies on this and I also wonder if the next generation find this the same or is it more how we initially learned? Some interesting thoughts to mull over.
Lydia
I really do retain much more when it is in print as opposed to on a digital screen. I review books as a hobby, and when I am reviewing a digital copy, I find myself having to reference the text far more than when I sit down to review a physical book. For academic texts, the act of marking them up is what helps me remember. I would also be interested in seeing if there have been any studies done on this!
DeleteApril,
DeleteSome of the current publishers provide digital 'interactive' versions of their texts with the ability to highlight, put in stick notes and mark it up all you want. Have you seen any of these?