Dynamic Literacy

            In both Scribner's and Lunsford's writing they discussed writing as a social practice. Lunsford takes this aim by discussing the helpfulness of the internet in student writing. She describes the use of digital media as a resource that expands student's "life writing". This life writing is the writing that we do outside of our school work, and it is this writing that Lunsford says "develops a range of writing styles, tones and formats along with a range of abilities". Although many are cautious that the introduction of so much media to our lives may harm our ability to be literate, Lunsford believes it helps us become aware of the audience we are writing for and what type of writing is appropriate for that situation. Scribner takes a different approach when discussing the social aspects of literacy. Scribner uses three metaphors to summarize her ideas on literacy, these three metaphors hold the ideas the literacy is adaptive for each individual, it can be used in group advancement, and that those who are literate have more opportunities. All of these ideas have a social aspect to them, because "literacy is an outcome of cultural transmission". Like Lunsford, Scribner also devotes part of her analysis to the use of technology and literacy, in her writing Scribner says, "technology is a new system of literacy".

            While comparing the works of Lunsford and Scribner to those of Hedges and Carr, there is an opposing idea on the role of technology in literacy. Lunsford and Scribner both argue that technology has not harmed the writing of people today. Lunsford and Scribner believe that the use of technology has allowed people to enhance their ability to express themselves and that in turn it has improved the quality of many people's writing. Hedges and Carr disagree with the views of these two writers. In Carr's mind, technology is hurting our ability to focus on reading and writing, with the introduction of the internet, people have become trained to work in short stints instead of spending quality time on their work. In Hedges' piece, he argues that technology is replacing literature in our society. He expresses his concern that entertainment is becoming more important to our culture than literature simply because we are trying to meet the needs of our illiterate society. Although these authors having opposing views their intentions are all clear. To discuss literacy in our society. Personally, after reading each of these author's views I think that it is fair to say that literacy is constantly changing. Everyone has a different view of what affects literacy, and as a result the definition of literacy is never a concrete idea. I think that the most important thing for our society to focus on, is allowing every person the opportunity to become literate, and creating more access to programs and organizations to promote the idea of literacy for everybody.