Blog 6 - Final literacy + 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.

My development as a literate participant in the 21st century culture of technology was shaped through my education and peers, while using my family's values. Once I became familiar with different types of technologies and digital literacies, my parents followed in my footsteps. They use the Internet to pay bills online, communicate through e-mail, and some of my family has even become familiar with using Facebook. My wariness about being completely open with the Internet and other groups is a result of my family's customs. They enjoy using various technologies, but they hold back in areas they do not feel completely comfortable with. My family and I enjoy keeping our personalized space.

Also, my family and I do not keep written journals. I believe this is what effects my openness to writing blogs or personal information on social networking websites. If I did keep a written journal, I wouldn't feel comfortable writing my thoughts online.

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 land line, or sometimes AOL Instant Messenger.

In my Fall of 2006 semester at Kean University, I enrolled in a college composition class. The class was in a computer lab, which required classwork to be typed on the computer, as well as homework. During this class, I met two friends that introduced me very well to Facebook and showed me the benefits of it. They taught me how to use it to my advantage and the fun I could have with it. It allowed me to gain a numerous amount of friends throughout my college experience. The college composition class caused me to become more comfortable with using social networking and enhancing my writing skills on the computer.

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 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. In my senior year of high school, I took an AP English class. My teacher promoted the concept of writing ideas on paper before typing the final product. I participated in typing several papers, while brainstorming in print beforehand. My AP English teacher influenced me to use this technique frequently.

The same idea of benefiting from technology in a limited manner is also used when communicating with educators. When I communicate with teachers and professors outside of the classroom, I believe e-mail is a great source. However, there are also times that I like to meet with my educator one on one to receive the best and most efficient information about a certain situation or dilemma. For example, when I was absent from a class a few weeks ago, I met with the professor at her office to hand in missed assigments and become informed with feedback dealing with the previous and following class.

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, designing, and downloading music. Throughout my education and with the help of my peers, I have developed as an active participant in the 21st century digital culture. My family shows various similar ideas about using technology. Technology has enhanced my literacy practices and allowed me to understand my values about my preferences in educational writing and networking. I will continue to use technology in education and social communication while keeping my print literacy values in mind.