I then posed a question of the concept of text in today's world. Can a vlog be considered a text? According to Motoko Rich, in Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?, he states, "some literacy experts say that reading itself should be redefined. Interpreting videos or pictures, they say, may be as important a skill as analyzing a novel or poem." This is especially intriguing to me due to the population of Deaf individuals I work with on a daily basis. Their language is purely visual. Suppose a Deaf individual cannot read or write English (commonly their second language) would they be considered illiterate based on the traditional definitions or due to advances in technology and in turn, a paradigm shift on the concept of reading, are they literate in their native language? At this time, I am unable to make that determination, I hope to continue to explore this concept.
My position in reference to the value we should ascribe to the new forms of communication was best explained by an observed life experience. Throughout the 13 years I have worked a job fair in the community, I have seen the culture of job fairs shift from a time when resumes were of the utmost importance and body language, composure and articulation was the way to grab a prospective employers attention to today, where printed resumes are nearly obsolete and composure and articulation is measure via a phone interview. I see this as a perfect example of how both traditional reading and writing literacy and digital literacy carry equal importance. Neither one successful in isolation of the other. This is what our future work force will face, this is what they are currently facing right out of the gate. It is the duty of our educators (and parents) to prepare them to be successful in our ever changing world.
Rich, M. (2008).
Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading? The New York Times. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print
Hi Michele,
ReplyDeleteI LOVED your personal example about the transition and change you've seen in the job fair community. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many workshops I've had to attend to "resume-build" and how many phone interviews I've had the last few months just entering the job world. A part of me always feels less nervous over the phone not having to see the intimidating person who has the power to hire me- however, a larger part of me becomes frustrated because that person doesn't get the chance to see me for me- and the personality and expression that is brought to life when talking with me face to face. Just a thought- I wonder if skype is/ will ever be means of hiring or interviewing someone?!
Michele,
ReplyDeleteI also liked your proposition about interpreting video and pictures the same way as analyzing novels and poems. After all they say a picture is worth a thousand words. With technologies the pictures are even becoming more interactive. Take Prezi for example.
How def people interpret content also made me stop and think how much importance is in the written word. Perhaps they are just symbols for a deeper meaning. Words and pictures are just tools to describe the world around us and to get us closer to the concepts of knowledge and truth.
Michele,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you thought of the transition in recruiting to either the electronic resume and the virtual video recruiting. It is so interesting how quickly this has been phased in. Just recently, my son secured an apartment solely from being online - viewed it on line - interviewed on line with the prospect flat mate and accepted online. He moved to a new city without visiting the apartment. Interesting days!
Lydia
Hi Jamie,
ReplyDeleteI am aware of Skype as being a mode of interviewing for hiring purposes. The industry in which I work is Video Relay Services, we often use our equipment, video phones to interview and hire on employees across the nation. We have also used Skype and Oovoo for the same means depending on the situational needs.
Because we are in the field of Deafness we have become dependent on seeing a persons face and body language, regardless of the language we are using, whether it is ASL or spoken English.