Example Of Technology, Language & Writing Essay

Literacy can be defined as the ability to read coherently and write proficiently. Moreover, literacy refers to the possession of knowledge and competence in a particular area. Technological advancement has been instrumental in enhancing learning and literacy among people. This has been more pronounced especially in the case of information technologies. Currently, the term technology has assumed a much broader definition, and it includes elements such as hardware, software, and online resources. Online resources have specifically revolutionized how we learn and they have impacted greatly on our literary practices. Online resources include websites, online apps, and social networking sites. Websites are databases that store tons of information about almost everything whereas social networking sites are services on the web which enable persons to create their profiles and interact with their families and friends. Online resources essentially represent libraries that have made it easy to access information, enhance learning, improve sharing the information, and promote self-learning. The impact of online resources on learning and literacy practices can be evaluated by examining the ways in which they have transformed learning, the capability of the resources in enhancing self-learning, how information on these resources can be used or misused, the flexibility the resources present, the interconnectivity they enhance, and the challenges they present. Online resources have immensely revolutionized our literary practices and changed how we interact with knowledge, how we participate in generation of knowledge, and how we interact on online platforms and hence, their use in enhancing learning and literacy should be deepened even further.
Online resources have completely transformed ways of learning and gaining new knowledge. Currently, accessing the internet is like accessing a library with millions of books, journal publications, newspapers, and novels. Websites can be created to store information about people, companies, newspapers, books, journals. Essentially, a website digitizes information and makes it be easy to access via the internet. The digitization of information has transformed traditional libraries, meaning all materials that were found on library shelves can be accessed at anytime via online resources. Web sites carry digitized information of newspapers, magazines, and journals enable people to get all the content contained in them at the click of a button. This enables people to be informed, to acquire new knowledge, and access a wide variety of information in one sitting.
In addition, there are academic sites on a range of subjects that have been digitized. Some websites ensure the information they carry is simplified enough for easy understanding. Moreover, the websites have learning tools that help students to understand even technical information. Some colleges or universities have tailor made institutional websites that afford students the ability to access assignments, upload completed assignments, and access important material like readings that are crucial in their courses. The storage of an extensive content of academic materials on one single website enhances easy access of information and thus makes it easy for students to learn (Eiseberg 23). Web sites that contain information geared towards teaching people about new languages are useful in guiding these people how to write those same languages (Lin and Griffith 306).
Online resources like websites and online apps remove the bureaucracy of having to be seated in a classroom or lecture hall to learn. Essentially, online resources enhance online education enabling people to pursue their education from any geographical area. Students can access all the content they require for their studies from trustworthy websites via their computers and thus be able to attend virtual classes and pursue their education.
Additionally, online resources have enhanced self-learning and have thus enabled people to be enlightened on a wide variety of issues without the necessity of a teacher. For example, online apps are developed to share information on a range of subjects that include health, agriculture, weather, gaming, motoring, sexuality, parenting, exercise and fitness, and cooking (Eiseberg et al., 36). These online apps expose people to a wide variety of information which is useful in their lives. Something to note is that there are very many online apps, and it is necessary to concentrate on the ones that carry information that a person has an interest in. An online app that has information about best agricultural practices can be useful in enabling farmers improve their farming skills and thus enhance their agricultural output. Moreover, an online app that is focused on helping students learn mathematics can be useful in improving their mathematical skills. Incorporation of technology in teaching of mathematics will be key to improving the achievement of students in this subject (Ramadan and Yaratan 33).
Self-learning is important in enhancing the literacy of people by exposing them to lots of information on a wide variety of phenomena and subjects. It is critical in improving literacy among people and enhancing their proficiency in reading and writing. Self-learning is promoted by online resources, and these resources afford people the opportunity to access creative content like literary productions like novels, plays, poems, and songs. These can be read purposely for enjoyment (Eisenberg 22). Furthermore, web sites that contain published works of literature like poems, plays, short stories afford people a chance to read for fun and then get entertained by the creative productions.
Web sites and online apps are extensive databases in terms of the amount of information they can carry. It is important that people navigate smoothly through the huge tome and settle on information useful to them or which enhances their knowledge and skills. However, the large of size information on websites and online apps can be very confusing and overwhelming and can sometimes hamper people from finding meaningful information. In such a phenomenon, it is crucial that a person is guided on how to navigate through websites and online apps with a focus on settling on the necessary and the most crucial information. Moreover, the sites provide a platform for people to share important information that may be useful to other people. People encounter new words, a different use of language, and new knowledge. All these are useful in enhancing the literacy of users. Luckily, the sites do not discriminate on the literacy level of a user while signing up.
Additionally, online resources like the social networking sites are very useful in enhancing connectivity of people across the globe. Social sites including Twitter and Facebook have been instrumental in connecting people albeit virtually. Many share bits of their lives with others or engage in banter with compatriots and acquaintances (Flew 4). The use of a range of languages on these sites is allowable, and typing in these languages enhances the fluency of people in these languages. People have to learn how to write in the respective languages in order to reach their families and friends. Every person has an equal chance of getting on the sites and connecting with family and friends. This necessity ensures that people improve their literacy before they can comfortably use the sites. Social networking sites enable people to catch up with what their friends and families are up to in their in lives. They have greatly enhanced interconnectivity among people. Moreover, they can be used to communicate important information such as policy and information on health. The constant reading of the contents on these sites improves the literacy of people, and they also get information in the happenings in all parts of the world. Additionally, online apps and social networking sites influence how we interact with others. The effective use of these sites requires etiquette and respect. The responsible use of these sites demands the respect of other people’s opinions, avoidance of hate speech and name calling, and steering clear of obscenities (Flew 32). Despite the fact that we are at liberty to use the social sites in manners we deem right, there are social norms that we should adhere to. The responsible use and adherence to social norms enhances our literary practices and enables us to gain from their use.
Moreover, although online resources can be used to enhance the literacy practices of people, they also present several handicaps or challenges. Some sites have been infiltrated by malicious people who may post information that is not true. Not all websites, online apps or social networking sites carry useful information. Social networking sites may be used irresponsibly by people who want to propagate hate speech, spread lies, and engage in gossip (Van Schaik 237). Irresponsible use of social networking sites steals some light from these positives. Moreover, the internet is laden with websites that promote anti-social behaviors such as pornography, prostitution, and terrorism. These sites are negative examples of misuse of online resources. The easy accessibility of the internet puts people at the risk of encountering such sites. Therefore, the online resources are important in enhancing literacy but can also lead to moral decadence.
Elsewhere, the uptake of online resources and infusion of social networking sites in the daily life of people is on the rise. This technology has proven to be popular especially among the youth, and it widely used in learning, improving literacy, communicating, and interacting with other people. Most people would rather read a poem on a website than look for a book having the poem. Sites such as “Kindle” enable reading of novels and poem anthologies on the go; at anytime and anywhere. This site has enabled the digitization of novels, short stories, poems enabling a reader to access these literary productions at an exceedingly small fee at their convenience.
The resources present immense flexibility especially when it comes to learning, acquiring new knowledge, sharing information and ideas, or interacting with other people. It is flexible to read a newspaper in the digitized form on a website than acquiring the hardcopy. The storage of information on a website ensures that the information is not susceptible to loss and can thereforebe stored for eternity. In addition, the platforms enable easy editing of information whenever it is necessary. Any new information can also be easily added to the website and be accessed by many people.

Conclusion

Online resources such as websites, online apps, and social networking sites have transformed the way we learn and are fundamental to enhancing our literacy practices. Authentic websites contain important information about numerous phenomena and thus, by carrying huge amounts of information on one location, learning is made easy. In addition, the resources have enhanced connectivity among people, and this makes it easy to share information and experiences. Social networking sites have enhanced connectivity, but they should be used responsibly to ensure maximum gain. Moreover, online resources have immense benefits in enhancing literacy but they are also susceptible to irresponsible use by people. More use of online resources in enhancing literacy should be encouraged although the resources should be used within the auspices of responsibility.

Works Cited

Eyyam, Ramadan, and Hüseyin S. Yaratan. "Impact of use of technology in mathematics lessons on student achievement and attitudes." Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal 42.Supplement 1 to Issue 1 (2014): 31S-42S.
Eisenberg, Michael B., Carrie A. Lowe, and Kathleen L. Spitzer. Information literacy: Essential skills for the information age. Greenwood Publishing Group, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06825, 2004.
Flew, Terry. New media: An introduction. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Lin, Show Mei, and Priscilla Griffith. "Impacts of Online Technology Use in Second Language Writing: A Review of the Literature." Reading Improvement 51.3 (2014): 303-312.
Van Schaik, Paul. "Unified theory of acceptance and use for websites used by students in higher education." Journal of Educational Computing Research 40.2 (2009): 229-257.