Blog 4 - Post Draft Literacy and Technology Narrative

The changes in literacy from print formats to digitalized formats have allowed me to grow as a writer in both educational and social ways. As a dedicated writer, I take advantage of both the digital and print world to enhance my writing skills, social communication, and hobbies, while keeping it on a personal level. I began to use technology more often when I entered Kean University. Beginning my freshman year at Kean University, I became more familiar and comfortable with digital ways of accomplishing tasks.

Throughout my early childhood, middle, and high school years, print formats were the main source of participating in class work and homework. I began to use the computer when teachers assigned papers to write, which mainly started in high school. I received my first cell phone in seventh grade, but my communication with others was still based on face to face conversations, talking on a landline, or sometimes AOL Instant Messenger.

Digitalized ways of social communication did not become extremely popular for me until my first year in college. My freshman year is when I gained great use out of using Myspace, Facebook, and school e-mail. It became required to have all assigments typed and professors gave students their e-mails for any needed assistance. Before this took place, communication with teachers was merely performed by handwritten notes. Currently, I benefit greatly from being a part of the digital world, but I still keep some of my values about print with me.

When it comes to educational means of writing, I perform more efficiently in writing research papers, creative writing papers, and essays, by using Microsoft Word on the computer. I am able to make my ideas clear and discover the best words to get my thoughts across. However, I prefer to write my ideas on paper, while I am brainstorming. In this case, the importance of printing is still meaningful to me. I enjoy print literacy to prepare me before I begin writing a paper.

The same idea of benefiting from technology in a limited manner is also used when communicating with friends and educators. I enjoy using Facebook to keep in touch with my friends and share photographs as well as information about myself. Although, I prefer not to give many details about my personal life on websites or through e-mails. In some cases, I feel more comfortable with gaining personal bonds with people once I get to know them better.

When I communicate with teachers and professors outside of the classroom, I believe e-mail is a great source. There are also times that I like to meet with my educator one on one to receive the best and correct information about a certain situation or dilemma.

Both print and digital literacies are important in my life. I believe that it is effective to take advantage of both literacies and use them throughout life. Print literacy is more personal and confidential, but technology helps to improve writing skills and growth as a writer. Also, I have always and still do enjoy using technology for personal entertainment purposes such as photograph editing, desiging, and downloading music. I will continue to use technology in education and social communication while keeping my print literacy values in my mind.