It’s 7:58am, two minutes before my official work day starts. I grab a cup of coffee and sit back in my desk chair. Next, I login to my computer, check my mail, send an important message and then search the latest news headlines. My calendar chimes in on my desktop and informs me that I have a meeting to attend in a few minutes. Since I cannot sit at my desk and attend this meeting at the same time, today, I grab my mobile device that allows me to make a telephone call, search the internet, watch a movie and check/send/update my email and calendar, all in the palm of my hand. Life is good!While we, humans, used to be limited to an oral telephone call or a written letter to communicate, technology now allows us a multitude of ways to exchange words, feelings, and emotions. Technology has drastically changed and enhanced the workforce and, well, life in general. It has increased the immediacy in which we communicate as well as improved the productivity of our work. We can perform a multitude of activities through the use of technology such as order groceries online and balance our check books. However, if one cannot read and/or write, life can be much more complicated in today’s “technocracy.”
According to the National Literacy Act of 1991, "literacy" is defined as “an individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential,” (NIFL.gov, 1991). A 2003 study discovered that 14% of American adults are considered as “illiterate,” (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003). While 86% of American adults are literate, we cannot leave the other 14% of our society behind, especially with the speed that our technology evolves.
One way literacy is being taught through the use of technology is through the LINCS program. The National Institute for Literacy has developed a “state-of-the-art” technology tool, called Literacy Information and Communication Systems (LINCS), to provide illiterate adults with “high quality information” via the internet, on topics such as reading, writing, mathematics, learning disabilities, technology and workforce education. Distributing these resources online helps adult learners participate in technology training opportunities while learning basic fundamentals. Unfortunately, some members are proactive in their learning while others are not and/or may not have access to legitimate resources.
“Literacy arouses hopes, not only in society as a whole but also in the individual who is striving for fulfilment, happiness and personal benefit by learning how to read and write. Literacy... means far more than learning how to read and write... The aim is to transmit... knowledge and promote social participation," (UNESCO Institute for Education, 2009).
Literacy through the use of technology has many pros; however, it also has cons as well, especially with America’s youth. The evolution and affordability of mobile device technology has enabled Americans of all ages to have a personal mobile device. Although students gain technological skills through communicating via text messaging and online technologies, their fundamental skills can lag when texting in a shorthand/slang. America’s youth are forming bad habits in grammar usage with common text message shorthands like “r u sk8ing 2nite,” which means “are you skating tonight,” or the famous, “OMG.” Here is a link to a common list of text message acronyms. http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php. While I do not see communicating in acronyms going away anytime soon, I do think English curriculum in American schools is now more important than ever. “As stereotypes would suggest, teens drive by far the highest number of text messages per month,” (Liew, J., 2008).
In conclusion, America’s literacy is increasingly linked through various methods of technology. It is important that all members of our society not only become literate, but that they also stay current and take advantage of technological opportunities. We, as human beings, and not artificial intelligence, are therefore also responsible for “proper” communication through the use of technology. Whether we are teaching ourselves or others, everyone plays a part in our learning. It is up to us to participate in this multitasking, technologically advanced, fast-paced world.
“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy,” (Los Angles Times, 2009).
RESOURCES
Liew, J. (2008). From lightspeed: U.S. teens send 7.5x more text messages than they make
calls.” Retrieved on February 8, 2009 from http://lsvp.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/us-teens-send-75x-more-text-messages-than-they-make-calls/.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2003). State and county estimates of low literacy.
Retrieved on February 9, 2009 from http://nces.ed.gov/naal/estimates/overview.aspx.
National Institute for Literacy. (1991). The National literary act of 1991. Public law 102-73.
Retrieved on February 8, 2009 from http://www.nifl.gov/public-law.html.
The Literacy company. (2009). Company: literacy: quotes. “A Child literacy initiative for the
greater Los Angeles area.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles:CA. Retrieved on
February 9, 2009 from http://www.readfaster.com/literacyquotes.asp.
The Literacy company. (2009). Company: literacy: quotes: UNESCO institute for education.
Hamburg:GE. Retrieved on February 8, 2009 from
http://www.readfaster.com/literacyquotes.asp.
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