First things first. What is reading? It's a relatively simple question that nonetheless stopped us in our tracks. I mean, what is reading? We just take it for granted that when we pick up a book, we'd just see the alphabets and comprehend their meaning and voila! That is reading!
But no, reading is, according to my lecture notes, the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through interaction and involvement with written language.
Tough stuff. =P
Anyhow. I've chosen to discuss reading for pleasure cos, honestly, that's the only reason I want to read at all. An example of what I read for pleasure would be poems, at an online poetry workshop - http://poetrycritical.net/
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As far as the comprehension process goes, internet reading and 'proper' reading (books, etc) isn't much different, therefore no new skills are needed beyond the ability to surf the internet. It is, perhaps, easier to understand the poetry when it is online, because when one is on the internet, there is easy access to online dictionaries, or even other poetry sites which one can use to compare, i don't know, styles of poetry or something. However, this site can be considered 'web-based learning', only it is the poet who learns, not the reader. As it is an online poetry workshop, the level of interaction between the poet and his or her readers is very high, compared to if it was a published piece of work, as it is possible to leave comments regarding the work. And learning-wise, again, there is no new skill needed to learn, only the ability to actually use the internet and a computer. So it is not that different skills are needed, per se, just additional ones.
I hope I make sense.
Well written May Lee. However, there are a few things I would like you to consider when discussing online reading especially in the context you discussed.
ReplyDeleteAre there truly not much difference in terms of skills and comprehension when compared to traditional reading? What you said perhaps best describe your personal experiences and therefore there is no right and wrong angle to it.
1. Reading poetry online, as u said may involve looking up other online resources. Is locating resources a skill?
2. The interaction that occurred in the site you mentioned would require skills too, right? The skills to post comments? The skills for having an online discourse i.e. negotiations of meaning, netiquette etc?
3. Different skills vs additional ones. How about enhancement of existing skills?
Anyway, good post. Keep up the good work.
Good points, and thanks! I suppose I'm so used to using and surfing the internet that it's never been a 'skill' to me. But yes, the ability to use google and search for websites is a skill.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to post comments, it could be a skill, i guess, but it's actually pretty easy to post comments... but yeah, netiquette is a skill to be learned, for sure.
I'm actually not very sure about the enhancement of existing skills. I suppose that existing researching skills are enhanced online because there is so much more to choose from? And existing writing skills, based on the poetry website example, can be improved because of the interaction with other poets and readers.
Does that work?