Kenneth St.

Cyr
Adam Padgett
Engl 102
20161018
Effecting Literacy with Technology:
An Annotated Bibliography
Inquiry: What are the effects of the reliance on technology on basic literacy skills?
Proposed Thesis: I would venture to say that technology has changed the way we do several
routine tasks, but our reliance on these technological advances have impacted many basic
literacy skills such as spelling, use of punctuation and grammar, as well as reading
comprehension in millennials.

Comment [DP1]: We are supposed to answer our inquiry

question in our proposed thesis, and I think you did a good
job.

Intro:
Technology has advanced in recent years by leaps and bounds. The number of computers per
household is at an all-time high, at 3 computers per household in 2012. Young people today are
connected constantly by all sorts of modern advancements in their palms. These communication
devices come equipped with many technologies that replace basic skills once needed to converse
effectively with another individual. Smart phones have predictive text and autocorrect that act as
a crutch for poor spelling skills. The reliance on this advance in technology erodes the spelling
skills of individuals due to reliance on their technology as a crutch.
Common shorthand is used in usual places people communicate and stay in touch.
Whether we are analyzing social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter or deciphering a text
message between friends the habits are constant among users. Many users often exclude
punctuation, that adds emphasis and meaning. These habits are seen in studies conducted over
broad spectrums of social media posts and text messages alike. Theses habits have a direct
relationship the mistakes teachers find in their students academic writing.
Technology is not to blame; however, it is not free of guilt. As technology advances
users reliance on technology become inherently more and more severe. Where educators
struggle is bridging the gap of information illiteracy that is shown by the effect of technology
and the reliance on it.
Kemp, N., and C. Bushnell. "Children's Text Messaging: Abbreviations, Input Methods And
Links With Literacy." Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning 27.1 (2011): 18-27.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
The dialogue of Kemps article is entirely related to the issue of text messaging as a
problematic source of technology as it relates to literacy skills. Texese as said in the

Comment [DP2]: Maybe talk about how the sources that

you used are credible.

article is the use of the numeric alphabetic keyboard found on most smart phones to
convey ones conversation. This habitual use leads to a drastic decline in the pen and
paper literacy skills of user, particularly in this study teenagers. The study proves that not
all of these correlations are negative in all situations. Kemp lays out the numerical data of
the experiment to support his thesis. I am strongly in agreeance with the argument that
the habitual use of texese has a negative connotation in the literacy of user.
The effects of technology-mediated immediate feedback On Kindergarten Students' Attitudes,
Emotions, Engagement And Learning Outcomes During Literacy Skills Development."
Learning & Instruction 38. (2015): 1-13. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
The focus of the article is based around the study of technology and intermediate
feedback in the classroom. The interviews of students allow for unbiased feedback to be
compiled as data supporting the thesis. This use of technology in the classroom to teach
literacy skills is having a direct effect on students literacy skills. I cannot stand to agree
or disagree with the argument; however , it is easy to see the relevancy of the articles data
to my thesis.
NEUMANN, CRYSTAL. "Teaching Digital Natives: Promoting Information Literacy And
Addressing Instructional Challenges." Reading Improvement 53.3 (2016): 101-106.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
Neumann reviews the surveyed material in the case of information literacy for digital
natives. Digital natives are nothing more than millennials or someone who has grown up
with or using technology such as computers. The discussed issues with technologies
effect on literacy are brought to light. For the most part I agree with the results of the
survey published in this article. Technology can have its beneficial aspects if used in the
correct medium. Millennials have an expectation of instant gratification and having all
the information readily available (Neuman, 2016). Attitudes such as this are the root
problem in the effects of technology within learners. Challenges for educator start to
become teaching students how to find the correct information with their technology and
how to overcome the reliance.

Comment [DP3]: Make sure that your sources are in

alphabetical order.

Comment [DP4]: Its good that this has a different POV on

the subject than the other articles.

Comment [DP5]: Overall, this is a good start.