Swales Model HW

The future of the writing process is a very important subject to many people. After all, we want our future to be better than us, right? We want our kids and our grand kids to be better writers than we are today. It is important to know what the most beneficial way to improve the writing process. Do computers help increase the writing process? This is the question that I am examining. Many generalize that it doesn’t help the writing process because the writing process starts with pen and paper. There is more to writing than just using pen and paper because what you are actually writing is part of the writing process as well. Computers have made research today much easier and help children write faster and more efficiently. Students can use their sources on the internet to enforce what they are writing. Also, researchers have found that there is more motivation from students to write when using computers, therefore enhancing the amount of writing and the writing process. These are just some of the many arguments that can be made in the computers defense. Experiments, surveys, observations, and much more have been conducted by researchers to find the answer to this intriguing question. The truth is that nobody has found the correct answer yet. The main problem in the research is that nobody that has educational power has done anything about the research found. As far as the actual research goes, many issues can occur that could cause the information to become invalid. For example, you would need to observe students that have about the same IQ if you are comparing if the computer helps the writing process or if it doesn’t. The purpose of my essay is to inform readers about what has been found on this topic and what still needs to be done in order for actions to be made. I located many case studies previously conducted by researchers doing different experiments to help find the answer to this question. By the end of this essay, you should be informed about what has been found about computers and how they affect children’s writing process, and what can still be done. I will first inform you of what has previously been found on this topic, and then share my research with you of a few case studies I found including both sides of the argument, and finally I will end my essay with concluding all the information I shared and express my feelings once again on this topic. I hope to inform more people about my research and what can still be done to make changes happen.

Test on Chapter 7 and 8

When comparing a fact to a definition, I consider my argument to be both a fact and a definition. My reasoning for this is due to several causes. Lunsford explains that in order for an argument to be a fact, it has to contain some key features. These key features include things such as describing a situation that leads you to raise questions, and making a claim that addresses the status of the facts. My argument is that children’s writing skills are actually improved by computers. In order for this argument to be a fact, I have to have evidence that supports my claim. This is exactly what I have done with my argument paper. When looking at what makes an argument a definition, Lunsford explains that definitions come in many forms, such as formal, operational, and by example. If an argument is a definition, you format a claim and then you come up with a reason as to why this is so. I am doing this with my argument, because I have claimed that computers increase children’s writing skills and I am proving evidence as to why I believe it improves them. Also, I pointed out the opposing views to my argument, which makes it a definitional argument. Selber uses a definition for his argument on computer literacy. He expresses why computer technologies in the classrooms are not a good idea because too few teachers are trained to teach students how to learn using this technology. This is a perfect example of a definitional argument because Selber is using a claim involving a question of definition. Also, Selber considers alternate views and counterarguments. For example, Selber says that others seem to think that, “computers level the playing field.” He addresses this idea and explains that there will never be equality with computers because people such as women, and the poor, are not able to be connected to networks computers and have are less likely to be able to have access to a computer. In the article by Malcolm X, he explains why learning to read helped him become free while he was in prison. Malcolm read the dictionary and copied it by himself to teach himself how to read. He expresses that something as simple as reading made him feel free, and in his essay he explains the events that made him want to study and read. Malcolm claimed that after he learned to read, his mind was taken out of the fact that he was in prison and focused on how to make himself a better reader. In a factual argument, a claim can be presented as a hypothesis. I believe that this is what makes Malcolm X’s article a factual argument. He is making a claim that learning to read made him a free man, which is his hypothesis, and then he explains why he felt like a free man after he learned to read. In addition, arguments of fact often involve a story. This is another reason why Malcolm’s article is an argument of fact. In conclusion, my argument about computer technology in the classroom involves both an argument of fact and definition. I make a claim and provide evidence to support it, which makes my argument a fact, and I also consider the opposing views, which makes my argument a definition as well.

Reflection on Research

When I sit back and look at all the research I have done for Core 2 and for my argument, it is interesting to compare the authors to another and see what I think is valid and what isn't. With how technology is today, anyone can post information on the internet, so you have to be careful who you chose information from.
When comparing the different authors, you can tell who has valuable sources and who doesn't. For example, one of the sites I found had no references, while the next one I found had a reference from the superintendent of schools where he conducted his research. Many of the authors I have seen so far have been leaning towards the idea that computers in the classrooms does in fact increase children's writing skills. I have seen very few authors say that it doesn't increase their writing skills. Although, every author I used for my research has addressed the opposing argument, which makes their evidence and claims more valid.
I personally do not have any concerns with the research I used. I made sure I used scholarly sources such as Academic Search Premier, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. It is hard to find an article that isn't scholarly with good references on any of those sites. In the beginning, I did have a little trouble because I used one non-scholarly source, but once I realized that the information couldn't be trusted, I immediately took that part out of my research. I have good faith that the research that I found is valid and can be used to better my argument.

Topic Summary

The topic I chose was how computers are affecting children's writing skills. This is an important topic and I find a lot of interest in it. After all, our children are our future and we want an educated future. If computers are helping children learn the writing process faster, then having them in a classroom is a good thing. If they aren't helping the writing process, then maybe their shouldn't be so much focus on having them in the classroom. This will be a relatively easy topic to discuss because there have already been tons of studies conducted to find the answer to this question. I plan on using these case studies to support my claim along with any other online articles and journals I can find.

Core 1

Computer technology has forever shaped my life and many others as well, whether you want to believe it or not, it has. Our world today would never be the same if we didn’t have computers. Can you imagine what life would be like absent of computers and all the technology is brings with it? I know that I personally would never be able to understand how we could live without computers and most people that own computers today would agree. If you look back onto how far we have come with technology over the last hundred years, you will realize that we have come a very far way with technology and we continue to make it even better. Technology is such an incredible thing and every person has had their own experience with it, either good or bad. Everyone has their unique story, so here is mine.

For most people in my generation, computer technology was introduced to us in our early years of life, somewhere between the age of six and twelve. I still remember the first time I ever used a computer. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing that was ever invented. Learning how to use the computer was part of me growing up. Everyday I learned something knew about it, whether it was school related or not. Knowing how to use it broadened my knowledge greatly of technology and sent me on my way to becoming multiliterate. Learning it at such a young age I believe did shape who I am today because if you look at our elders, most of them do not know how to use a computer, and many of them don’t want to learn how. An example of someone who was shaped by literacy is a girl name Danielle who is mentioned in the article, “The Future of Literacy” by Danielle Devoss. She taught herself many things as a child and was taught by her bother how to use the computer. Now, she is working on her PH.D and has created her own organizational site. Literacy can take you a very far way. If I hadn’t been introduced to a computer, I am not sure if I could be writing this paper today for a college English class. It most definitely brought me to where I am today, without a doubt. I would say that the computer shaping who I am is a good thing. My life today is very computer and technology based, but that is because of how technology is changing in our everyday lives. You need to be computer literate to be able to do many things today. My teachers through elementary, middle, and high school are a main reason I can operate computers so well today. In the article, "Reimagining Computer Literacy" by Selber, he mentions that teachers today are either afraid to use technology or they aren't using it in the right way. This is vital to our future. We want our future children and grandchildren to learn how to use different technologies so that we can keep it growing. As I mentioned before, our world would never be the same without computers or technology.

Many people argue that places such as the library are being pushed aside due to new technologies like the internet. For example, students will look up something on the internet versus venturing into the library to do research. I personally am very guilty of this. Technology has made things such as research so convenient that traditions are being replaced. Another huge piece of technology is the GPS Navigation system. This technology is used by many people for traveling. What some people probably do not think about is that the GPS could malfunction or run out of batteries. Then what would you do? The GPS has replaced the old ways of writing down directions on a piece of paper that someone gave you. Another big change was brought about by cell phones. 30 years ago or so, only the rich people had cell phones. Now a days, I don’t even know a person that doesn’t have a cell phone. People today do depend on their cell phones a lot, but they are very helpful and have changed our world without a doubt. In these ways, I am definitely too dependent on technology, but I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. I am taking advantage of the new things that are offered to me. Who wouldn’t?

My personal experiences with technology have been incredible from learning to use a computer, to having a cell phone, to an IPOD, to a car, all the way to my own laptop. When I really started to become literate in the technology field was in school where I was taught things such as Microsoft Office. If I hadn’t been taught that, I would be having serious trouble in college. My strong points today are using all the Microsoft Office tools. I never have any problem trying to do a presentation or writing a report, etc. I would really like to expand my knowledge of computers by learning more about videos and editing programs. I think it would be really cool to be able to shoot a video, upload it, and then edit it with sound and music. As far as other technologies go, camera usage is another one of my strong areas. One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures and I have taught myself different techniques to produce better pictures. I would like to one day learn how to use special programs for picture editing so that I can edit my pictures on my computer and use them for birthdays, holiday cards, etc. The piece of technology that I use the most is Facebook, my email, and my sorority announcement system. Facebook is helpful for me to keep in touch with distant relatives and to quickly be updated on my friend's lives without having to take the time to call every single one of them. My email I use for school work mostly, which is very important. Also, my sorority system is extremely crucial to know what activities are going on that day. It is technologies like these that make the world easier.

In conclusion, technology is one of those things that will just never end. It is going to keep growing, just like we all are. I feel like everyday I see a new commercial on TV for a new piece of technology. Technology certainly has made me become the college student I am today and I don’t know what I would do without it. It is a great thing and we are very fortunate that it is expanding everyday. The truth is that you really can’t escape it, so you might as well learn how to use it!

Homework due Feb 4th

Duane H. Roen and R.J. Willey, the authors of the article, "The Effects of Audience Awareness on Drafting and Revising," claim that audience awareness has a huge impact on drafting and revising. There is a reference to Kolln ( 1984) that says students need to ask themselves three questions while writing: "What am I writing about? Who wants to know? Why am I writing about it?" (p. 269). Kolln warns students that before you can decide what you're going to write, you must identify the other two components of the writing situation: audience and purpose (p. 273). The authors show different examples and situations that show how important audience awareness really is. They do an excellent job showing why it is valuable and definitely gave me a new insight to use for my future papers.

Citation:

Duane H. Roen and R. J. Willey
Research in the Teaching of English, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Feb., 1988), pp. 75-88
Published by: National Council of Teachers of English

Part 2 of Core 1

Asking someone where they want to go with technology in the work place is a broad question to ask. With technology, you could go a million different ways. That is the great thing about it. My goal in life is to ultimately become an event planner for a major company. With this goal in mind, I would be using a ton of technologies to help me succeed. For one, I would absolutely have to have either a Blackberry or Iphone because my work would need to be with me wherever I traveled. I also would use the Blackberry or Iphone to be accessible at all times. Another important obvious asset would be a computer that would be needed for many different things including research and to use programs such as Microsoft Excel to plan out costs for events. A headset would be essential for the actual event to be able to be in touch with anyone quickly. Depending on the actual event, I would need huge amounts of technology such as a projector, lighting, sound, etc. The list could go on forever!

In order to obtain this goal of becoming an event planner and being able to work with all these technologies, I need to begin looking into these different technologies and how they are beneficial to my job. Other than that, once I am working, I would need to make sure I knew how to use each of these items to make my job a success! The good part is that technology is changing every day and there will most likely be new skills for me to learn over the next four years to better prepare me for my job.

Part 1 of Core 1 Assignment

Technology has grown so much over the years that it is difficult to think about all the things I am good at or that I would like to learn how to do. Under Multimedia technology, I am strong in camera usage and editing pictures on the computer because that happens to be one of my favorite hobbies. I am also very good in Microsoft Office including Powerpoint, Excel, and Word. I was in a Business Academy in high school that required us to take an entire class to learn how to use these programs. This required me to do several different projects in these programs and made me become very comfortable using them. Along with that, many people have also become addicted to new play-oriented technology such as the Nintendo WII. I personally feel that I have a strong point in using the WII, along with the old Super Nintendo game. These are just some of the few areas of technology that are some of my strong points.
Just like anything else, there is always room for improvement when it comes to technology. I could improve in many different areas, but there are a few things that I would really like to learn how to use. For example, some of my peers can shoot short videos, upload them to the computer, and then edit them like an actual movie. I feel that having knowledge of this skill could be useful in future projects or if I ever want to make a short video for fun.
As I mentioned before, technology is changing each and every day. It is hard to keep up with how much I know and how much I don't know about technology. Overall, I feel that I have a lot to learn about different areas of technology and will be adding to my knowledge as I improve in the areas that I can improve in.

Homework 1/25/10

In my article called "Literacy of the 21st Century," the author is pointing out the fact that teenagers these days seem to know a lot more about computers and technology then do most people from older generations. She is saying how we depend more now a days on computers and technology to help us become literate, where as twenty years ago, that was certainly not the case. The author is directing the argument towards a wide audience including parents and students to inform them of how things have changed over the years and how technology has effected literacy these days. The writer is trying to get her audience to accept how technology is changing our world and changing the way students now become literate. It is a well written article and points out many interesting facts!