Are Digital Media Changing Language

The main argument of "Are Digital Media Changing Language" is that society shouldn't worry about digital media turning younger generations into any worse of spellers, but we should be concerned with the changes in students' attitudes toward our language itself.  We need to understand these technologies in order to evaluate whether these changes are natural and warranted or if something needs to be done to prevent these changes.

I agree with the notion of this article.  I can personally vouch for myself that I use a different format of the English language when texting friends and family, yet I know when to turn the style off in order to write academic papers; which I have had significant success with.  On the other end of the spectrum, I know quite a few adults who either do not text or text on a limited basis, yet they struggle to spell rather simple words and to grasp some English language concepts.  To put it simply, "Young people can compartmentalize their language.  They have language that they use on the playground and then school language. They know how to speak in classrooms without sounding like goofballs" (Shapiro, 2009).   


I chose the next two images as symbols that signify the process of adapting to technology within the context of our language.  I selected the first image to show how technology is changing education.  The SMART Board is an example of 21st century teaching and shows how technology can now be used in the classroom.  Just as this technology represents change, slight changes in our language don't necessarily have to be negative.

Educational Technology by Alvin Trusty

My second selection serves as a symbol for young people using technology to further their learning.  Just because technology is placed into the hands of kids at an early age doesn't mean that it's a bad thing.  Technology changes, just as shifts in language, can be beneficial when we understand why these changes are occurring and the impact that they may have.

Texting by Glenn Michael Tan

References

Baron, N. S. (2009). Are digital media changing language?. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 42-46. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Are-Digital-Media-Changing-Language¢.aspx

Shapiro, M. (2009, October 20). Omg! texting and im-ing doesn't affect spelling!. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-10-20/news/36923178_1_instant-messages-spellers-new-language

Tan, G. M. (Photographer). (2006, July 14). Texting [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmtan/189481767/

Trusty, A. (Photographer). (2011, October 19). Educational Technology [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/26668694@N05/6261752720/in/photolist-axk7VN-aMNKWH-8ET9gK-c6UMgE-dRHvic-drBsTS-8CzWiT-dPRYxG-9saFqZ-9saFdH-9saFb4-9sdE21-9bgyNB-c6ULDj-9zDPB4-9zGPXQ-9zGPCb-9zGQds-891BV5-88XmYc-891AKh-88Xn4T-88XmAD