Dennis Baron

WAW: (422-441) “From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies” Dennis Baron

SUMMARY: 

In his article ‘From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies’ Dennis Baron attempts to explain the history of writing technologies. He states how we used to think of pencils as state-of-the-art technology. Now pencils can be manufactured for a unit cost of a few pennies. He also believes that every writing technology has taken time to become established, and that writing technologies must be learned. He also believes that the computer is simply the latest step in a long line of writing technologies. Baron goes on to write about writing technology. The intended audience could be anyone that has seen technology advance, or are familiar with it.

CONVERSATION: I made a connection between Baron’s article and Deborah Brandt’s article on Sponsors of Literacy. The connection I made between the two of them is that they are both about advancement. In Baron’s article he talks about technological advancements and how they have affected writing. In Brandt’s article she talks about how literacy is sponsored by other things. You learn from the things around you, you gain knowledge over the years. By gaining knowledge you are advancing. In a way they both have to do with advancing and evolving. 

BEFORE YOU READ:

To me technology kind of means advancements. The most advancements are made through technology. For example, there are always new phones, computers, and televisions coming out. To me things that count as technology have to do something with electronics. When I think of technology, I mostly think of electronics, like I said before, phones, computers, and televisions.

QD: 

5. New literacy technologies present new opportunities for fraud. Baron states that “Not only must the new technology be accessible and useful, it must demonstrate its trustworthiness as well.” He goes on to say how procedures for authentication and reliability must be developed before the new technology becomes fully accepted. He compares this to pencil writing. He says how the authenticity of pencil writing is still frequently questioned. He brings up the point that we prefer anything permanent to be in ink, verses pencil. 

MM:

No, it doesn’t help me to think of writing as a technology. I don’t think it changes how I understand writing. I don’t think of writing as technology, although I do agree with some of Baron’s points. I agree how he talks about how aspects of education have evolved. The way teachers teach, and the types of equipment they use based on the technological advances.

OPINIONS:

I thought that this article was interesting. It made you realize how much everything has evolved. It also makes you realize how everything is computer based now. You never have to turn in papers that are written in pen and pencil. I don’t think this article will be that helpful to me because I am aware of the technological advances and how it compares to the way things used to be. I can compare it to my own experiences because I don’t trust technology or like how fast everything advances. I’m not good with computers and I don’t like how everything is done online now.