Week 7 Blog 2

So “Is Reading Dead?“ really caught my eye as I was finishing up Will Richardson’s blog on convincing his kids they don’t have to go to college. As a side note, I love Richardson, he’s got some really good stuff…he’s a genius. (I like doing the links with the text in case you didn’t notice.)

Okay so about the article…It caught my eye because the title seems to be a question people ask a lot lately. He mentions the initial “unsettling” feeling he got when his friend mentioned the way kids aren’t using traditional texts anymore. This reminds me of the phrase Mike uses in class; “Kids these days,” or something like that.

I’m glad that Richardson eventually comes to the realization that reading isn’t dying…its changing. Its not good or bad, its just different.

How can students read something that they just can’t relate to? If something is flashy or a more exciting way to read, encourage it, don’t write it off completely. Learning on the net is where its at…Web 2.0. Hell, its what our class does every Sunday when we use google reader to read different blogs. Its a flashy new way to read compared to the readings that would have been assigned if it were a typical class. (Speaking of flashy new ways to read, I LOVE this. Book 2.0 baby.)

Unfortunately, most teachers haven’t come to the realization that teachers like Richardson and Mike and Vanna have come to. They think that we’re destroying the institution or something. As Richardson says, they’re, “chained to their old definitions of reading.”

Great blog, I’m out.

-Jeron 

P.S. – Youtube is still uploading my stupid video from my blog before. It should be up soon.

P.P.S. – Sorry about the linking. I’m obsessed. I’d say its a healthy obsession though.