Introduction
While reading, J.D. Applen explores his chapter on New Media and Literacy. There were a lot of nostalgic moments for me in the text. I thought about how new media is constantly changing and how much it changed since I was first using it. The small things we as a society daily were never thought possible to an ordinary person when I was born. Reading a book has a new way becoming reading on a tablet. I love to look at the school systems and see how this shift from text to new forms of media makes a difference. As a future educator who is constant in the classroom, I have seen a lot of changes.
How media changed for me
Growing up in the early 2000s and having an older sister born in 1997, electronics were slim in my house. Putting a movie in was a VHR tape. I only read books and never had a tablet or a phone. In the article, Applen talks about Richard Lanham’s ideas about how digital reading will feel more interactive. Rather than just reading from a book. Having the screen change and/or the reader control the page.
Additionally
Personally, I think that a book is more interactive. Manually turn the page and leave notes where there is space. Putting sticky notes or page indicators of something funny or meaningful. There has been a significant shift in the way we communicate, and this is reflected in our reading habits. Using an example of text messaging, I can see the shift and how it is more interactive. You can only use words as simple text when writing a letter. Now, it can include pictures, videos, or emojis showing the person’s emotions.
How it effects education
Further more, from going to school in the early 2000s to being back in the schools as a teacher now, things have changed drastically. The most significant change is not having libraries anymore. My school district removed all books and substituted them with computers and 3D printers. They have changed the name to the media center in schools. Saying the word library to kids now makes them look at you funny, not understanding what that is. As much as I don’t like that idea, it is understandable. I can’t help but feel a sense of loss for the traditional library, a place that was so integral to my own learning journey. However, I also recognize the necessity of adapting to the evolving media landscape. And the importance of equipping our students with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.
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