The era of physical print has had a lasting effect on human culture, but with the advent of digital text, some scholars believe the printed word is becoming obsolete- Strongly Disagree. I do not think that the printed word will become obsolete, especially anytime soon. There are many people who refuse to read new forms of digital text and purchase or use only physical printed text. In time this statement might become more true, however I do not think we will ever make printed text obsolete. Technology is changing our lives and becoming a major part of our lives, but it appears to work parallel to our printed texts rather than against it. I believe we will find a way for both to coexist.
As David J. Gunkel states in his article "What's the Matter with Books?", society is currently in the late age of the text; the moment of transition from print to electronic culture where it is too late for printed books and yet too early for electronic texts.- Strongly Agree Our society is ready for digital text, but we are not really prepared or equipped to live without printed text. We are excited and scared about the idea of digital text - Change scares many.
New forms of technology (new media) will be created which utilize features of old media, thus preventing old media's (aka print's) erasure.- Agree We are Finding new ways of making old printed material to be obtained digitally and much of our printed materials are being printed digitally. The use of the Kindle is one of the best examples of how are traditional printed text is becoming digital text.
Reflection/Connection
As a Business Education Teacher, I use technology and printed text everyday. Schools are moving toward digital text books and online material rather than the traditional printed text book. This is an issue that I will face daily in my classroom; however I hope to be able to incorporate both digital text and physical print into my classroom instruction as to focus on the past methods of delivering information and the transition into our new methods of delivery of information. This will be a great first lesson and even research presentation for the first assignment in a technology course.
Related Links
Old, real book vs. Kindle alternative: Which wins?
by Scott Stein
Digital Text in the Classroom
Digital text reading nearly equal to time spent reading printed text
I really enjoyed reading your post and what you has to say about your second quote. I also agree that our society is ready for digital text yet we are not prepared for it. I live in a rural part of WV. As a matter of fact, I am currently using a dial-up connection because that is all that is available here in this area.(keep in mind that I am only less than 1/2 mile from the main road, RT 20 that goes through the entire county)Until the use of digital text becomes easier to use (high speed internet service for all, etc...) then it will be a long time before our society relies on/uses digit text on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting!!!:)
I totally agree with your comments about your first quote. I am one that would rather print out 15 pages of text to read and write on than read it on a computer. I would rather have a real book than a nook or any similar technology. However, I love how easy it is to find what I want using the Internet and such. The weather and the news and communicating with my family are easier to find and do in digital format.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think the digital world is coming faster than we think. My fiancé’s graduate school's library has one or two walls of real books and the rest are digital forms on a database that can be accessed just about anywhere. The room is the size of a large supply closet. I was shocked because our library is pretty large. On the other hand, he won't need to run to the library just to read a few pages; he can do it at home by just a click of a mouse.
Lena and Sophie - Thank you for my comments on my posts and you really understood what I was trying to say. :)
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