Digital Literacy

Dustin Anderson Quote #1 Summary and Response

            For my summary, I have chosen quote number one to respond to. In this particular quote he is saying that we live in an era of computers and growing technology and this cannot be ignored. Nearly everything we need can somehow be found online and this is something that teachers have to learn to accept. He understands that many people who are currently teaching did not grow up in a world like this, but that does not mean that they can then ignore the way things are now. Since so many things are online now, they need to prepare and teach children in a way that keeps up with the times. He also states that if the older generation continues to hold a “grudge” against the forever growing technology that it could mess up an “entire generation” by not teaching them what they need to know in order to thrive in this time period.

            I agree with Dustin Anderson in this quote. In an average day, I lose count of how many times I am online whether it is to look something up for a class, do homework, go on Facebook, or listen to music. People take their laptops, iPhones, and iPods everywhere they go for instant internet connection. However, through all of this, many grade school teachers especially refuse to acknowledge the growing need to be connected to technology. Although it seems that college professors are more apt to use a technological base for their teaching, many students are already behind due to the lack of it in elementary and grade school. Like Anderson, I understand that many of the teachers did not grow up with this kind of learning, but that does not change the fact that times have and are changing and in order for this generation to survive, the older generation must be able to adapt to teach us what we need to know.

Sherman Alexi Summary and Response

Summary and Response to Literacy Narratives

                I am choosing to write on Sherman Alexi’s narrative. He fought against the stereotypes that came with living on a Native American reservation growing up and made sure that he made something of himself. He was considered an outcast by many of his peers because he did not act like how they did around the non-Indians. He was also greatly inspired by his father’s love for reading and taught himself to read by looking at his dad’s books. He was very determined to fight against the things that were expected of him and the fact that he was supposed to act dumb whether he was or not because he was an Indian. Through his passion, he was able to overcome the predisposed difficulties that he faced.

                Sherman Alexi both inspires me and I believe that I can relate to him. Although I did not have stereotypes set against me, parts of my literacy story relates to his. I was also inspired to start reading because of my dad and his passion for it. One of my early memories is of all the books my dad always had and it never failed that he was reading multiple books at one time. I started loving books at a young age and like Alexi, it sometimes made me different than the other kids so I felt like an outcast, but even through that I have kept my passion for it. It has paid off a lot in school though since I know it has had an influence in the scholarships I have received.

Literacy Timeline

Time Line

4 years-                My parents/grandparents would read to me and I started memorizing the books. I could memorize a book after hearing it two or three times and recite it back to whoever asked. I don’t remember this but my parents were amazed by it and tell me the story all the time. I remember my grandma reading me this Halloween book The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything and it was my favorite for a long time. She had so many books at her house I would beg her to read to me every time I was there, she was so animated. I especially loved the interactive pop-up books.

5 years-                Walking to school, my mom would name off things and colors for me to spell. By doing this I learned all my colors, numbers, animals, etc., and how to spell all of them. My school was only a few blocks away so we would do this all year to and from school. I loved it because I got to spend time with my mom and it felt like a game.

6 years-                I drove my mom crazy reading my favorite book, Go Dog Go over and over again. It was the first book I learned how to read all the way through and I was so proud of myself I wouldn’t put it down. She still hates the book to this day because I’m pretty sure I read it to her about 4 hundred times.

7 years-                I realized how much my dad loved books and I wanted to be able to read as many as he had, even though that is pretty much impossible. His collection is still growing and I don’t see myself catching up any time soon. Right now his book collection takes up a full wall in the living room and then trails into the computer room, too.

9 years-                My school had a summer reading program that rewarded us with a trip to Metro Beach. I always read more than I needed to. I could spend all summer sitting in the sun with my books and be completely happy.

10-14 years-       I had some rough years in middle school so I would curl up with a book all the time to relax and take some of the stress away. They have always been able to distract me from what was going on and make me feel better.

15-now-               I still read as much as I can even though it is hard with all the work I get from classes. I’m going home for the weekend though and plan to bring some books back because I left them all home when I moved here and I miss them now. Some of my favorite books I will probably read for the 3^rd or 4^th time when I have a free minute.

Why Is Writing Important

Why Is Writing Important?

            Writing has been very important throughout history. It is used to document ideas, entertain through stories, keep records, and many other things. If it had not been for writing, we would have no idea about our history. I think that knowing where we came from is important in order to move forward, so having written proof of our history is very influential for things that go on in today’s world.

            I am currently going into the nursing career field. Although long stories and writing books is not part of my future job description, taking down information about each patient to give to the doctor is something that will be done all the time. The doctor will need clear descriptions of each patient and their ailment in order to properly treat them. This form of communication through writing could be the difference in whether a patient is cured or not. For this reason, writing would be rather important in my career choice.

            In everyday life, writing is all around us whether we realize it or not. The music we listen to started out as just lyrics on a page no different than a book we might read. Writing and its effects occur in many more areas than we see by just looking at the surface. Even all our food just started as a recipe that was written on the back of the box. For this reason, writing is all around us and we will always use it in our lives no matter what path we take.