Personally, I feel very comfortable with my level of digital literacy. As mentioned, I grew up as a child with a computer in my household which I would mainly use to play games (my English was mediocre at the time so I was a long shot away from typing up formal documents). Like in DeVoss's case study, and from her own personal experience, my mother also encouraged that I make use of my computer time towards academic purposes rather than waste it as my older brother did on strictly video games (DeVoss 185). When I entered the sixth grade, I knew the general use of Microsoft Office, however, it wasn't until then that I was officially taught how to operate the software and type properly. Now, not only do I know the basics of such software and tools as Microsoft Office and uses of the Internet, I’ve also learned of Adobe programs and other software for video or sound mixing. Other technologies aside from the regular computer include digital cameras (dSLR’s) and phones. Every once in a while I’ll run disk cleanups and system scans to keep my desktop in tip-top shape. And, whenever called upon, at home I would help with the task of setting up the entertainment system along with changing the time on the microwave. It seems that I’m strongest with processing, art and entertainment software.
Although I believe myself to be technologically literate, I still have many things to learn. Areas where I lack and would like to improve on would mainly consist of more complex technologies. As argued by Neil Postman, “a worthwhile education focuses on the consequences and the contexts of technology rather than merely on the technology itself” (Selber 1). I want to understand the works behind a computer and what makes a system as good as the pros say it is. I know the main parts of a computer from hardware to software, however, I want to learn the more complicated concepts that would make one computer just a hair better than its competition with terms like “multi-core processors” and “gigahertz”. By “computer” I don’t just mean desktop or laptop, but also cars, televisions, mp3 players and anything with a built-in processing unit. I think that, with this foundation, everything else in the digital/electronic world would follow right behind it allowing me to have a better grasp of digital literacy.With that said, there's a purpose behind my interest in technology. In the near future, I want to become a photojournalist. Bolter says himself that "digital media may challenge traditions of writing at several levels" which includes how print is rapidly moving to hypertext (Bolter 6). In order to become a writer, I do have to be digitally literate in that I should be able to write stories for print as well as Web which will require knowledge on HTML and Web design which I currently do obtain. Most importantly, to get the shots I need for the job, I’ll have to invest in the best camera with an advanced computer and lenses that will allow me to get quality photos. As with most technology, digital cameras have planned obsolescence due to the fact that after two or three years, a smarter, better model will be out.
A role model that I’ve become acquainted with is Sam Abell, a retired photojournalist of National Geographic. He’s seen the advancement of cameras from film to the digital age, and although he still prefers film, he makes use of digital cameras for their convenience when it comes to saving, editing, printing and distributing his photos. His concern for the future of photography led him to ask the former President of NatGeo about its direction. The president replied, “Video”.
In order to obtain the goal for my career, I’ll not only have to work harder with my camera to understand the basics behind a dSLR, but work with other makes and models down the road. Model after model won't be too drastic of a change, however, there will be upgrades in the computer that powers it and the software behind editing photos. And if worse comes to worse, I’ll pick up videography along the way to supplement my skills through further education.
Death thanks George Bush for all the overtime
(C) Dany S
To this date, I believe the computer has made my life both easier and harder. Easier in that I can sit at a desk and type a 1,000 word essay with ease rather than handwrite it and battle with the frustration of ink or graphite smears on my hand, hand cramps or having to rewrite a page or two because I decide to change the sequence of my paragraphs. As an aspiring photojournalist, and ultimately a writer, technology has allowed me to gather information easier from the World Wide Web and keep up with news online from anywhere around the globe no matter where I’m connected. On the other hand, I do have the constant reminder in the back of my mind that news and print in general is moving to the Internet and spots for journalists and writers are dwindling. I don’t question whether I can financially support myself or a family based on my career as much as I question if I’ll even have a stable job ten or twenty years from now. Technology has definitely made my life easier, and even though my future career seems slightly blurred, so long as I can continue to keep up with the rest of the e-generation and technological demands of the future, I’ll be able to live my life comfortable enough.
In addition to the ease technology has provided me, I would say I have become too independent on electronic devices to find information and even keep up with friends and family. Information is so much easier to find and store on the Internet that it can sometimes encourage me to do a research paper at the last minute instead of collecting books and articles days or even months in advance. Then with the popularity of social networking I am guilty of connecting with old friends and family members around the world through Facebook rather than calling them up or driving to their houses. Nowadays, wishing a loved one happy birthday has been degraded to a sequence of 8-bit characters and a 50x50 pixel of a cupcake sent via Facebook mobile while driving to the nearest fast food restaurant. I thankfully don’t find myself doing that, but those are some trends in my friends that worry me along with online gambling and serious addictions to MMORPG’s. Selber mentions the “hierarchical student-teacher relationship” that the user and computers have as well as the support it gives to perform “repetitive and routine tasks” (Selber 9). I personally use the computer to apply and keep up with my college courses and even order books which provides evidence for the ease that technology provides. But it also gives some incentive to procrastinate and work to the very last minute on assignments due at a specific time online.
Year after year I find myself surprised at new feats that technology overcomes. When the iPod first came out, I felt like it started a trend as it did with its notebooks and eventually the iPhone. In addition to that, there have been super cars in the making that have also set high standards as they achieve revolutionary heights. Right when I think things can’t get better, the engineering world proves me wrong and comes out with something even better than yesterday’s news. Ultimately, science, engineering and anything in the technological field is where the world is heading and in order to keep up with it, becoming technologically literate is as important as learning to read and write in grade school. My goal for myself for the near future is to become more tech savvy to make, not only my life easier, but to keep advancing along with the rest of the world.
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