E-Reading: Jeopardizing the Humanities
The evolution of technology is becoming a significant part of the education system. It is deemed to be more cost and time efficient than the standard paper and pencil tactic. Universities are more dependent on the internet for text books, journals, and scholarly articles. Although some classes benefit from this innovative strategy, others suffer. Author Naomi Baron’s article “How E-Reading Threatens Learning in the Humanities” focuses on the problematic effects that technology has, especially in humanities. Baron says “The amount of reading we assign university students has been shrinking” (1). When less reading is assigned less material can be covered. This can be difficult with classes that have a heavy …show more content…
How readers are doing their research is what is “further reducing students’ pursuit of work in humanities” (2). Technology has become an everyday part of life. People absent-mindedly use it, and those from younger generations are increasingly dependent on it. Digital copies are more accessible than ever, which is an easy alternative to purchasing a text book or searching the library for an article. Baron says that “E-books are causing a pedagogical reboot” (2). Children in grades as low as kindergarten are encouraged to learn from digital screens. The points in this essay address the negative impacts that modern technology has on younger generations. From a young age, students are taught that the internet is an effective way to gain knowledge rather thanreading hard copies. A students ability to attain the information may be less effective. This brings us to Baron’s final and most important …show more content…
To prove this true, the author refers to her own study of university students in the United States, Germany, and Japan. Although some prefer E-Books “90 percent would choose hard copy” (3) if they were given the choice of source. One of Baron’s prominent points is that “digital reading encourages distraction and invites multitasking” (3). Multitasking is not effective when studying material. It is difficult to fully immerse yourself in learning when the distraction is constant. With the internet so easily accessible it’s easy to sway from school work. Baron gives the example that tt is hard to focus on literature, social media, and online shopping all at the same time. Although the idea of E-reading is appealing, when it comes down to Baron’s study, students claimed that they liked hard copy print because “[they] can write on the pages and remember material easier” (3). The study also reveals that students “don’t absorb as much” (3) when reading digital copies. This supports Baron’s claim that E-readers cause more harm than good. These examples from university students portray how the evolution of media affects them. Majority of the students would prefer hard copies, as they prove to be more beneficial. These key components all go back to the humanities argument. For classes that require “deep reading, it is always better done in print.”
The evolution of technology is becoming a significant part of the education system. It is deemed to be more cost and time efficient than the standard paper and pencil tactic. Universities are more dependent on the internet for text books, journals, and scholarly articles. Although some classes benefit from this innovative strategy, others suffer. Author Naomi Baron’s article “How E-Reading Threatens Learning in the Humanities” focuses on the problematic effects that technology has, especially in humanities. Baron says “The amount of reading we assign university students has been shrinking” (1). When less reading is assigned less material can be covered. This can be difficult with classes that have a heavy …show more content…
How readers are doing their research is what is “further reducing students’ pursuit of work in humanities” (2). Technology has become an everyday part of life. People absent-mindedly use it, and those from younger generations are increasingly dependent on it. Digital copies are more accessible than ever, which is an easy alternative to purchasing a text book or searching the library for an article. Baron says that “E-books are causing a pedagogical reboot” (2). Children in grades as low as kindergarten are encouraged to learn from digital screens. The points in this essay address the negative impacts that modern technology has on younger generations. From a young age, students are taught that the internet is an effective way to gain knowledge rather thanreading hard copies. A students ability to attain the information may be less effective. This brings us to Baron’s final and most important …show more content…
To prove this true, the author refers to her own study of university students in the United States, Germany, and Japan. Although some prefer E-Books “90 percent would choose hard copy” (3) if they were given the choice of source. One of Baron’s prominent points is that “digital reading encourages distraction and invites multitasking” (3). Multitasking is not effective when studying material. It is difficult to fully immerse yourself in learning when the distraction is constant. With the internet so easily accessible it’s easy to sway from school work. Baron gives the example that tt is hard to focus on literature, social media, and online shopping all at the same time. Although the idea of E-reading is appealing, when it comes down to Baron’s study, students claimed that they liked hard copy print because “[they] can write on the pages and remember material easier” (3). The study also reveals that students “don’t absorb as much” (3) when reading digital copies. This supports Baron’s claim that E-readers cause more harm than good. These examples from university students portray how the evolution of media affects them. Majority of the students would prefer hard copies, as they prove to be more beneficial. These key components all go back to the humanities argument. For classes that require “deep reading, it is always better done in print.”