10-17-2004, 11:02 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2004, 11:49 AM by [wcip]Angel.)
Thank you all for your replies.
On the issue of access, my professor and I decided to stipulate that instead of going off-topic with a discussion of access to the technology, the essay would be about those people who had access. Although interesting, it wouldn't be pertinent to my discission of technology and its effect on the promotion of children's literacy.
I'm sorry I even have to ask this, but it seems my brain is not fully functional: what is the name of the piece of equipment people used to interpret morse codes?
A picture
edit: I'm stupid. It's the telegraph of course.
edit#2: I rewrote the beginning:
The rapid technological progress in the last years has heralded a new era in our understanding of promoting literacy. In Theory & practice of writing, William Grabe and Robert B. Kaplan present the advantages of using Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the classroom. While it is easy to recognise and even acknowledge these advantages, there are some aspects of ICT which can hinder the development of children’s literacy. It is the aim of this essay to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using ICT to promote children’s literacy and to conclude whether the former outweighs the latter, or vice versa. A recent study on families with children between the age of 0-6 has shown that nearly 3 out of 4 families have a computer at home, and that 70% of children between the ages of 4-6 have used a computer. Additionally, parents site the computer as the most useful electronic medium for educational purposes.[Rideout, Victoria J., Vandewater, Elizabeth A., Wartella, Ellen A., 2003] Consequently, it is vital that this essay also acknowledge the value (and pitfalls) of ICT in a home environment.
But what is Information Communication technology? When using a broad interpretation, the technology used to communicate information could encompass telephones, fax machines, mobile phones, SMS, or even the telegraph. In this context however, “ICT” must be more narrowly defined. For this essay, it is the computer and the way children use it, which will be the subject of scrutiny. This essay will include a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of three domains of computer technology: Production, information gathering and interaction. First; how does word processing affect the way young children learn to write, and is that type of development beneficial or hurtful to the child’s literacy? Second, will the various types of language found on The Internet enrich a young learner’s own language or will it be detrimental for the pupil’s sense of what language really is? Third, when a child interacts with an electronic encyclopedia, a language learning programme, or a game, how does this experience alter the child’s own ability to read and write?
--
As you can see from my last paragraphy, I realised that I needed specific areas to target. I couldn't just talk about computer technology as an abstract concept; I needed specific areas of ICT to study (Word processing, The Internet, Software.) Sooner or later, I imagine I will be getting into 1337-speech and all sorts of horrible things. I'll just have to brace myself :)
On the issue of access, my professor and I decided to stipulate that instead of going off-topic with a discussion of access to the technology, the essay would be about those people who had access. Although interesting, it wouldn't be pertinent to my discission of technology and its effect on the promotion of children's literacy.
I'm sorry I even have to ask this, but it seems my brain is not fully functional: what is the name of the piece of equipment people used to interpret morse codes?
A picture
edit: I'm stupid. It's the telegraph of course.
edit#2: I rewrote the beginning:
The rapid technological progress in the last years has heralded a new era in our understanding of promoting literacy. In Theory & practice of writing, William Grabe and Robert B. Kaplan present the advantages of using Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the classroom. While it is easy to recognise and even acknowledge these advantages, there are some aspects of ICT which can hinder the development of children’s literacy. It is the aim of this essay to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using ICT to promote children’s literacy and to conclude whether the former outweighs the latter, or vice versa. A recent study on families with children between the age of 0-6 has shown that nearly 3 out of 4 families have a computer at home, and that 70% of children between the ages of 4-6 have used a computer. Additionally, parents site the computer as the most useful electronic medium for educational purposes.[Rideout, Victoria J., Vandewater, Elizabeth A., Wartella, Ellen A., 2003] Consequently, it is vital that this essay also acknowledge the value (and pitfalls) of ICT in a home environment.
But what is Information Communication technology? When using a broad interpretation, the technology used to communicate information could encompass telephones, fax machines, mobile phones, SMS, or even the telegraph. In this context however, “ICT” must be more narrowly defined. For this essay, it is the computer and the way children use it, which will be the subject of scrutiny. This essay will include a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of three domains of computer technology: Production, information gathering and interaction. First; how does word processing affect the way young children learn to write, and is that type of development beneficial or hurtful to the child’s literacy? Second, will the various types of language found on The Internet enrich a young learner’s own language or will it be detrimental for the pupil’s sense of what language really is? Third, when a child interacts with an electronic encyclopedia, a language learning programme, or a game, how does this experience alter the child’s own ability to read and write?
--
As you can see from my last paragraphy, I realised that I needed specific areas to target. I couldn't just talk about computer technology as an abstract concept; I needed specific areas of ICT to study (Word processing, The Internet, Software.) Sooner or later, I imagine I will be getting into 1337-speech and all sorts of horrible things. I'll just have to brace myself :)
