Literacy Technology

Over the course of time there have been new inventions or technology that have progressed not only rhetoric but the English language as we now know it. In the realm of English studies these discoveries have been long and few. For thousands of years some form of paper and utensil have been the primary form of literature. However, with in the past century a new ‘literacy technology’ has come forth. As we now live in the modern age of technology, there is a substantial change under way: the shift towards digital reading and writing. In Denis Baron’s essay, “From Pencils to Pixels,” he discusses not only the concept of literacy technology but also analyzes the process of integrating one into use among society. Baron outlines literacy technology as a discovery or invention of literature that serves to advance reading and writing. The main literacy technology discussed in this essay is the use of digital devices and computers. Baron quickly calls attention to the fact that while my generation has grown up with computers, they were not so easily accepted overnight. Within Baron’s stages of literacy technology there are three main phases of integration. Firstly, the technology is new and unknown to most, therefore it is used by few people. As time moves on and the technology spreads to the general public more awareness is generated. The final stage is perhaps the most explosive, this occurs when the technology is so popular that new forms and possibilities are mimicked. It is at this point that the technology becomes introduced as a benchmark and fully accepted by society.

A form of literacy technology that I use in my daily life is my smart phone. While I do many things on this device outside the realm of literature, it has been very impactful on my practices as an English student. From my earliest ages I have been told by my parents and early teachers that paper, pencil, and hard copy books are the standard for learning. It was not until high school that I truly explored the use of digital technology and writing together. Now as a college student I use both interchangeably, and in some instances to study for one another. While my generation was born mid-way into this shift of technology, I have seen first hand the integration of this tool over the last ten years.