Reading is an essential part of daily life. We find ourselves reading various things on a daily basis. In a nutshell, reading is the acquirement of information from various sources that builds our knowledge base, on any topic. Today, most of our reading and research on topics are commonly done via the Internet (Rich, 2008). The internet is fast and readily available tool that can be used to learn information within minuets. Think about the last time you looked up your favorite music artist to confirm that the post on Instagram was in fact true. What about when you want to make a lifestyle change? The first place we look is online. We look for information and success stories on social media and blogs about individuals who have tried this new lifestyle you hope to shift to. In the classroom setting, reading predominantly looks different, When we think of reading in a classroom, we imagine a kindergarten teacher reading a physical print book aloud to their group of students. A group of freshman in high school, enthralled by a thick novel their teacher is explaining and comparing to the last novel they completed. However, educators are encouraging students to move towards a more digital approach to enhance the print reading they do in the classroom. The most important component of literacy is actually reading, the method or source may vary. Regardless of the method, words are read and information is learned. The dilemma stands, "is reading online really reading? " and " can students grow and learn from digital reading sources?".
Reading online opens up a whole new and exciting word for young readers at their fingertips. In using a search engine to research their new favorite band or television show, they are actively reading and taking in new knowledge. When young readers are reading online and are taking in information, this is also reading (Rich, 2008). Even video games are structured in a way where the information needs to be read to be able to know and understand how to win and level up. Although most parents may not agree with this method of reading, it is reading. Video game reading, reading captions on social media, reading blogs about fan fiction and theories is all reading ( Rich, 2008). The different methods of reading helps students to expand their learning. Think about how many times the phrase, "these kids know more technology than me" has been said? The new generations are born with this accessibility and are exposed to it at a young age, making it a positive tool for their development and learning (Huffaker, 2005). Sometimes parents and educators want to fight young readers on what they are reading because it is not how they read or what they read. Although students may not enjoy reading the new novel you picked out for them, they will love to spend hours on the Reddit page about they show they love, reading about theories, ideas, and wishful outcomes.
The question now is, 'Can students learn from this?', lets make this personal. As a mom and an educator I am the biggest cheerleader for reading. I find myself telling all the young people around me to read. I encourage them to read anything! Sometimes they say, "Mrs. Salazar nothing in your classroom speaks to me". I get that. We try to borrow books from other teachers, but I always get two or three students who do not find something they love. It is a struggle. So, I ask them what do they like. The answer is mostly Xbox and Netflix. So I encourage them to go home and look up their most favorite thing at the moment, because lets face it, next week the answer will be different. Sometimes this is video game release information, or fan fiction. Regardless of the fact, they are reading and when I ask they are able to present to me new information they acquired. They are also being exposed to new vocabulary and content specific language. This helps them learn and grow as readers. Yes, I have to explain to parents that this too, is reading, and is a way to keep students reading and encourage their interests (Rich, 2008). I ordered many books revolving around the topic of video games and the topics in the video games, such as building, animals, and nature ( Minecraft). This helps me to have possible books of interest for my students in the classroom. Unfortunately, it is not always the correct time to have our Chromebooks out, like during an exam, so I must be prepared. I know you are wondering, how does mom-me do it? Well, my son really, struggles with reading. The apple does not fall far from the tree, because I did, too. Like my son, I did not like being told what to read. So at home I have been encouraging him to go online, with me of course ( he's only nine). We look up a different topics everyday on various resources that speak to him. Together we compare the information he researches to determine what could be true. Our rule of thumb is any information we find in all the sources is a great indicator of truth. He enjoys this activity. He gets to research, read, and discuss our findings with me. It takes his reading to another level because it does not seem like reading anymore, but it is. Now the research unit at his school is his favorite, because he is better at it and can take that information and explain it in his own words. Truth is a major concern for parents on the internet. There are many websites that are credible and well known sources to internet users, today. Making sure young readers get accurate information is important because if the information is not correct, what are they really learning( Rich, 2008)? Reading is a complex, immense world of endless possibility for all readers. Even the most traditional of readers have traded their print newspapers, for digital versions at their fingertips. I hope this post helped you to acquire new knowledge and learn about the importance and value of digital reading resources for our younger readers. My goal is that you view reading in a new light so you can encourage our youth to keep growing.
References
Huffaker, D. (2005). The Educated Blogger: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in the Classroom. Advancement of Computing in Education 13(2).
Rich, M. (2008, July 27). Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading? Retrieved September 18, 2021, from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html
Whenever I need information or do not know how to do something my first thought is to Google it! I remember when I was little I use to love looking up definitions in the dictionary or information from an encyclopedia but that took some time and the books where way to heavy to carry. Now on my tiny phone I can look up something in seconds and it is so easy!
ReplyDeleteI to agree literacy is important, the text and information of a topic. Where it comes from whether on the internet or a book should not matter as long as the information is valid creditable. A student can read anything for fun, but when writing a paper they should need to know what information is true or factual and what information is opinion based or unreal. That is where we as teachers come in. We need to guide and show students where to find creditable information and what it looks like. This does not just have to be our jobs as teachers to help students find creditable sources, but your librarian can also help and teach students.
I have found that the internet provides amazing resources for the students who do not like to read but will read sports statistics online. They end up knowing everything and anything about whatever topic they love because they have the ability to find endless information about the topic online.
I agree with your point on our new job as educators is helping students to find credible sources, Shaina. I incorporate this during my research and non-fiction unit. My students are no strangers to the internet, to support their research, I give them the tools like a list of credible websites or school supported journals and online databases. Feeding into their interests is very beneficial, as you mentioned. It helps to keep them motivated and engaged to keep reading and writing. Thank you for your response!
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