Double Entry Journal #1:Hand Cramping Should Not Be Crippiling Students in 2012

Quote:

Semester after semester, year after year, “papers” are styled as the highest form of writing (Heffernan 2011).

Response:

Hello people! It is the year 2012, in case you have somehow failed to remember. Let’s be honest. Handwriting a paper is just not acceptable anymore, at least in most cases. In almost every one of my college literature classes when it has come to the mid-term and/or final they have all been “in class” papers. Which basically means; you show up at the time your exam is given and have around one hour and fifteen minutes to compile a final paper, which in most cases determines your grade with pen and paper. This burns me up. First of all, you are put on the spot and second of all, like I said, its 2012. Why must I sit at a desk anxiety struck with my hand cramping from writing?

I do not agree that “papers” are the highest form of writing, at least not in this day and age, maybe thirty or forty years ago, but definitely not today. As an English teacher I would never want to put my students through the dreadful stress and anxiety of writing a paper in class that I experienced. Students need more than just a pen and paper. I mean realistically everyday they are used to things flashing in front of them and running at high speeds. They are texting, face booking, tweeting, and gaming. When a teacher puts a pen and paper in front of them, of course they are going to be bored. Put a computer in front of them. Even if you do have to resort to a paper, let them have sources to use and explore, and branch off of. Allow them to use tools that will enhance their thoughts and ideas in their writing.

Concluding I disagree that papers are the highest form of writing. In some cases, like mine for example, the students are pressured and limited. And wouldn’t you think that a child who is growing up in a technological world should be learning technologically? When we allow students to use technological sources and tools to enhance these “papers”, then I might take them into consideration for the highest form of writing.

 This video states examples and shows some ways that teachers are incorporating technology into their classrooms and giving their students the opportunity to enhance their work.

Sources:

Virginia Heffernan. (August, 7th, 2011). Opinionator. In Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade. Retrieved January, 22, 2012, from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/.

TheMCESC. (February 28, 2010). You Tube. In A Vision of 21st Century Teachers. Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4g5Mo6YyVw