"Whatever is good to know is difficult to learn." (Greek Proverb)
Text Technologies
I have always been passionate about books and history, so this class was a nice fit for me. The combination of critical reflection, discussion, and the production of artifacts was an extremely challenging and rewarding way to consider the future of text. How does technology influence the adoption and development of text technologies? How are theories of technological determinism too limited? How is the 'remediation of print' changing teaching practice? While I don't necessarily have any finite answers, I do think that I'm better equipped to consider the role of different text technologies in the classroom (it's all about balance!).
The video documentary, 'Punctuation and Spacing,' looks at the gradual evolution of text, and the motivations behind these changes. Like other video projects before it, I put a substantial amount of effort and time into the script and research; however, in this video, I was able to experiment with a few different methods in order to create a slightly more engaging finished product. The diagram and written reflection below show an overview of my journey and developing understanding throughout this course, using different forms of print literacy.
The lessons:
As someone heavily invested in the printed word for both career and personal interest, exploring text technologies was an avenue of interest. Understanding the historical background to the development of oral and written language helped me come to terms with the technological and textual landscape of today. It also armed me with a better framework to address the needs of the young learners in the classroom. In the same way, delving into a specific custom or practice while traveling almost always allows you to be a more confident and comfortable global explorer.