Teens, Technology, and Literacy; Or, Why Bad Grammar Isn't Always Bad (Paperback, New)

Bad grammar, emoticons, acronyms, and poor spelling are ubiquitous in cyberspace, and especially prevalent in teen communications-both within and outside of the Internet-even in the classroom. Are today's technologies-email, chat, IM, blogging, and electronic games-ruining the reading and writing skills of teens? This author proposes that, because the technology often defines how one communicates, today's teens are actually exploring and developing new literacies, and learning to use technology in the most effective ways possible. After examining some of the specific technologies used by teenagers, she considers how these technologies affect reading, writing, and communication habits and skills; and how they are creating new communities of learning. Ultimately, she demonstrates that technologies are (and should be) redefining what we mean by literacy, and explains how, by integrating technologies into programs and services, educators can maximize the learning that teens acquire in using new technologies. A positive take on the issues surrounding technology and literacy, and a "must-read" for anyone who works with teens in grades 6 and up. In addition, the book includes a discussion of why librarians and teachers need to educate administrators and the public about the role of new literacies in teen lives. Support materials, such as scripts to use in explaining new literacies enhance the text.