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       It is only relatively recent that multiple modes of writing have stemmed into everyday society. In previous generations, putting ink or lead to paper was the only way for students, and the average person to communicate in schools. "Baby boomer's" have given a name to this new generation of people and age called the "digital age" or "digital natives." In this present day age, multiple modes of communication are prevalent that not only impact writing but also brain chemistry. My worldview of the broad term "Writing," has been affected because of all these various mediums. I had always looked at social networking sites, text messages, and avatar games to be "a waste of time." But now more than ever are these literacy modes replacing the old "pencil to paper" tradition and revolutionalizing it into interactive communities, that can be compared to learning communities. As a future teacher, I believe it is important to not only instill these emerging technical skills in students, but provide a healthy balance between the traditional school skills and the "digital age skils." According to Jewitt, "If school literacy is to be relevant to the demands of the multimodal environment of the larger wold, it must move away from the reduction of literacy to a "static series of technical skills" or risk fostering  a population of functional literates. (Jewitt 10). I strongly believe in establishing a connection between the literacy required in schools as well as the "out of school worlds."

    I have learned in writing that picking a definite side when addressing a certain opinionated question, is the proper way to have readers follow more easily instead of picking both sides. But when posed the question “Is technology a distraction?” I can’t help but to argue both sides.  In most instances, when done correctly, technology can be extremely engaging to the learning process. A documentary on the Holocaust, providing interviews of survivors from across the world can be a huge eye opener to students who might not realistically get to meet an actual survivor. A smart board, with engaging, interactive
activities can be useful for grade school children, who are already predispositioned to a short attention span. Even video games have been proven to increase hand eye coordination and problem solving skills. In these instances, technology is beneficial. However, just like a distracted student in the past may doodle on his notebook during a lecture, using technology in an unnecessary way can be used as a distraction. Using a cellphone or going on social networking sites, can be a distraction to a student. Either way it is important to remember that at one point the pencil was a new technology that was looked down upon and underwent judgment.