Motoko Rich researched a very interesting and relevant topic for his news article. The idea is online reading, is it really reading? His article brings up the point that many children and teens today do most of their reading (if at all) online. The first real life example Rich gave was of a girl named Nadia. Her mother encouraged her to read from books but Nadia prefered online reading: “Nadia, 15, is addicted to the Internet. She regularly spends at least six hours a day in front of the computer” (Rich). Six hours every day is a lengthy time to spend at the computer, especially when most of the time (according to the article) she is look at leisure or fun sites. While Rich does point out that Nadia does recieve good marks in school the question still remains is she reading enough, and does online text count?
Rich continues to explain the differences between young readers and old, and the differences between reading lines in a book or textbook and reading many different lines and sites on the computer. While some agrue in the article that the change of how one reads is good, others disagree: “Zigzagging through a cornucopia of words, pictures, video and sounds, they say, distracts more than strengthens readers” (Rich). This is a valid point which many uses of the computer and internet can likely relate to. It is also important to note if children or teens are doing most of their quality reading online they are also likely instant messaging or chatting with friends in some way. This diverts the reader’s attention away from the text and the strengthening of the reader’s mind and causes the reader to multi-task at a important time.
The article effectively presents both sides to the argument. The author describes and gives examples of people who believe the internet is worsening the reading achievement, and examples of people who find reading on the internet more approachable: “Experts on reading difficulties suggest that for struggling readers, the Web may be a better way to glean information” (Rich). The article allows the reader to see both sides of the argument and help them decide what they believe about the internet and whether it helps readers or hurts the growth of reading in today’s children and teens. It is interesting to read about an article which incorporates a major aspect of our lives and a major issue; the internet and illiteracy.
Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?
by The New York Times
27 July 2008
When I was very young I had a lot of trouble reading. The biggest problem was that I simply wasnt interested in it. People were trying to force books on me but nothing really caught my interest. Then I had a teacher who gave me a comic book. Her whole philosophy was that anything that gets kids reading is good. I guess I kind of feel that way with the internet. Yes, much of what the students are probably reading is junk, but at least they are reading. The internet is something that, more than ever, young people today are comfortable with. Its second nature to everyone to open a window and check out a website. It may sound strange, but for some it even may be more natural than opening up a book. Yes, that time could be spent doing other things but it is unlikely that the first alternative to most young people is reading a book. The internet does have some negatives. Websites are often written in a very informal tone. There are a lot of distractions and really not that much substance. However, in my mind if its between students reading on the internet or nothing, id take the internet.