Thing #17

In some ways, I agree that the way I think has changed so the way I read has changed.  It also depends upon what I am reading.  If I am reading an actual book for pleasure, I am able to focus and be completely involved in the reading.  But, like many of my students, if I am having to read a book for a class, I cannot focus myself.  I
Now when it comes to reading off the internet, I am believe it is the setup of the pages that makes it so difficult for my brain to focus.  If what I am reading is long on the page it is more difficult for me to grasp than if the same length was separated onto multiple pages.  On the web, there are also so many things to distract from the reading.  Many words or word groups are links in a different color that will drag my attention to them plus all of the advertisements along the sides of the site.  Reading these articles were difficult for me.  It was hard to make myself not just skim them.
Today I was talking to another teacher in my grad class and she was saying that she is going to print out an ebook that we are using because she feels that in order for her understand, she has to be able to physically write her notes about or underline information on the paper.
I believe as a culture we are accustomed to things being quick so we want to be able to get to the point fast in our reading.  I am not sure to what extent the posts on social networking sites or cell phone texts have made.
I agree that the internet is becoming our clock, tv, telephone, radio, etc.  The use of computers is essential to my life.