Unit 3

I decided to buy my daughter a Nook ebook reader for her birthday. At the recent teacher’s meeting at the school that she attends, the principal said that e-readers will be approved as an acceptable electronic device for classroom use, like calculators.

Kate is a reader, and I take great pride in having passed that trait onto my “offspring” as Robert Bringhurst says, in his article "Why There Are Pages and Why They Must Turn." (22) Myself, I prefer an actual book, though, I have never used a device such as Kindle or a Nook before. Of course the obvious selling point is the ability to be able to carry multiple books in a device that is only slightly larger than a cell phone. Another advantage is the ability to quickly reference another book or compare books without having to locate them in bookshelves.

I was explaining the concept of electronic books to my parents and even showed them some various magazine applications on my smart phone. They could not grasp why it was necessary to venture away from the paper delivery method that they use and will most likely never deviate from.

Writing this I realize I do use methods of electronic reading. I read the local newspaper through its website and get virtually all of my noteworthy news information through the internet. What would be the difference in reading novels and other types of literature via electronic device rather than in bound print? For me, much of it has to do with the comfort factor. I am comfortable reading Hemingway, Keats, Faulkner and even contemporary writers curled up by the fireplace, with lamplight illuminating pages, words, and illustrations. However, in some instances I think I could certainly be persuaded to see what e-readers have to offer. I think there is room on my bookshelf for both.

Bringhurst, Robert, and Heriot Bay. "Why There Are Pages and Why They Must Turn." World Literature Today. 20 (2008). 27 Feb. 2011 http://libraries.ou.edu/access.aspx?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ou.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=34365977&site=eds-live.

Blog Unit 2

Our country was founded on the premise of its citizens having specific freedoms. Freedom of speech, being the most important of these. The ability of Americans to communicate freely is what separates our country from other countries, many of which have far more regulations on what is acceptable and what is not. When government agencies, in this instant, schools, take liberty to enforce their policies outside of their campuses, individual rights are being taken away from citizens.

Students are citizens, and therefore, stand under the same umbrella of freedoms that are granted the rest of the population as stated in the Bill of Rights. Provisions have been made by our government to allow for censorship in certain instances. Internet posts by students should not be included in these instances unless a direct threat is made to a specific person or institution. Allowing a school to monitor and subsequently punish students for activity beyond its campus sets a bad precedence. It could lead to the widespread censorship of public thought.

There have been several incidents lately that have brought bullying over the internet to the forefront of the media. Tragically, some cyber-bully victims have committed suicide. As it is not within the scope of schools to police students, neither is it their fault if something occurs that is beyond the control of the school system. At some point individual accountability of all people must be expected.

As far as Mr. Hudsons article is concerned, I side with the students and the right to exercise free speech.

Hudson, David L. “Blogging.” New York : Chelsea House Publishers, 2008. 5 Feb. 2011.