Journal 9

Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe

Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading With Technology, 39(3), 12-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november-2011.aspx

In the article by Annette Lamb, she talks about the ways that technology has affected reading. She first introduces ebooks which are similar to average books but are electronic and hold several books on the one device. But, unlike regular paper books, ebooks have extra tools such as highlighting for dictionary use, note taking, and bookmarking. Also, since it is an electronic device, the text size, text color,  and word search engine, are all controlled by the reader. She then goes into explaining interactive storybooks, which are devices that read aloud while the corresponding words of the text is highlighted. It also provides definition tools. This device is especially beneficial for beginner readers and could also be helpful for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia that may find reading more difficult. She describes reference databases as records to information through search tools, indexes, or subjects. Examples of reference databases would be Google, Bing, Wikipedia, etc. They can show not only information, but also photos, video, maps, and audio. She then introduced hypertext and interactive fiction which are various links or online hotspots. Readers are attracted by them because of varitey of options but can also be distracting for some because they can get lost in the material. Lastly, she explains transmedia storytelling, which is text with connected resources such as videos, links, games, activities, etc. Some examples of transmedia storytelling are social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  Her article was inteded to point out these new technologies that are affecting reading and presenting the possible benefits of the evolution of reading. She stated that one third of young people in a study would read more books for fun if they had access to ebooks and could affect students' learning if incorporated into the classrooms.

Question 1: How will these new technology change the way children learning to read think of reading?

I think these electronic devices will make it much easier for children to learn to read. Since they all provide extra tools, such as aloud reading (for correct pronounciation), dictionary access (for instant word definitions), and word search engines (for easy tracking of text), they make reading much more efficient and easy to comprehend. Also, the fact that these devices are so new, students will most likely be more interested in reading.

Question 2: How will the curriculum change with these new additions?

I think the curriculum will be able to be much more inclusive for all student learning styles. Because these new devices give so much more assistance in various ways, students will be less focused on the reading and more willing to participate in related projects. So, instead of writing a paragraph on the meaning of a story, children will be able to go further with the assignment and identify themes and other discoveries.