#natassi

In this class, we've been looking at the history of literacy and its relationship to technology, going as far back as Plato and working our way up to, presumably, the present day. But, in a way, we don't even have to go that far back to see how generations understand technology and literacy differently. Sometimes you can see it in the differences between a mother and daughter's use of technology:

http://amh201.tumblr.com/post/40661699263/modern-literacy-and-its-technological-sponsors

In this blog, the writer talks about leaving kids alone to find the books and genres they are drawn to, without the parents directing their children to specific books. It seems like this is an extension of the phenomenon that began when people started to read to themselves. First, we started reading silently and that's how we began to pick our own books:

http://somanybooksblog.com/2015/01/22/dont-tell-kids-what-to-read/

This last blog is about a teacher who has decided to let her students pick whatever books they want to read (as long as it's at the right reading level) and just read during class. They then write blogs about it, and the reasons she wants them to blog seem to mirror some of the very concepts were talking about:

"The blogs add a maker mentality, stirring the imagination to create, design, and tinker. They choose their theme, incorporate images and gifs, and decide if they want to promote their work via social media platforms. No longer must they be told what to write and how, submitting to another's power and authority. Blogs provide choice and independence, allowing them to own the learning experience."