My paper will include mine and my mother's earliest memories and conceptions of computers and computer technology. I will also discuss:
- How my family adapted literacy values and practices that incorporated computer supported environments.
- How my access to computer technology has varied to that of my my mother. (Focusing on the generational differences.)
- Gender issues related to technology.
- Other issues that I have not yet thought of. (Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.)
I got my idea for this paper from an article by Gail Hawisher and Cynthia Selfe, "Becoming Literate in the Information Age: Cultural Ecologies and the Literacies of Technologies", which I will rely heavily on for interview guidelines and overall format. I feel like this is an important topic because I think generations today take technology for granted. It is difficult for the younger generations to imagine a life without the technological affordances that many have in their homes, or at least come into contact with at school/public libraries.
Finally, I will take what I learn from our narrative histories and attempt to make some practical applications that can be used to curb some of the gender issues that still exist in the world of technology.
4 comments:
Robin,
I think you make some good points. This is a very interesting idea.
Julie
I also want to say that I can totally relate. You know when my mother has to deal with anything technological she calls me. It drives me crazy that it seems that she kind of refuses to understand what is going on. She does tend to ask the same questions over and over. I have to remind myself that I got on the computer and started teaching myself what to do. She doesn't spend all that much time on there. I really do think that this is a great idea.
Hi Robin,
This sounds like an interesting project and I'm glad that the Selfe and Hawisher book will provide you with a model for your interview. If the library has it, you might also look at their text Literate Lives in the Information Age: Narratives of Literacy From the United States. One thing Jen and I would ask that you keep in mind is the need for this project to have a central argument and to use the findings from your interview/research to help support it. In other words, it can be easy to just report on your findings because they usually reveal fascinating things, but just be sure to push your work a step past this by looking critically at what this means and why it matters. You've raised a number of topic possibilities about gender, generationality, and familial values for literacy and technology, all of which would be useful threads to pull together. As you interview, you may find that one of these threads has more to offer, so feel free to refine your approach as you explore so that you have a focused 6-8 pages in your final paper.
Robin,
I totally identify with your experience. My mom, who is a homemaker back in India, is so much more comfortable using old modes of communication instead of the new, even though she appreciates the affordances of "all these newfangled things." I had a more fruitful teaching session with my dad though. I think conventional perceptions of a person's abilities vis a vis gender that is embedded in society (my parents' generation) had a role to play in their case. Mom prefers to call me, which is 25 times more expensive, all the way from India! Also, I suppose people's learning muscles get rigid after a certain age and after too many years of a certain way of life. I'm looking forward to your paper.
Moushumi
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