This is primarily a writing course and not a technology course, but in my view it is difficult to separate the two when so much communication these days, both business and personal, takes place using cell phones and computers and tablets. When it comes to writing and reading, though, most of us are somewhere in the middle between paper-only and screen-only.
I’m someone who loves real bookstores and paper books, but I’m finding myself doing more and more of my reading on my iPad. For many decades, until very recently, I did all of my first drafts by hand (yellow legal pads with a black cartridge pen or a fine line Razor point), but I’m doing most of my drafting now on a computer. Still, if I have something I need to read carefully, I often find myself printing out an article so I can take notes in the margins. When I’m getting my ideas together, I almost always still start with a pen. Somehow that blinking cursor feels too intimidating in its insistence that I put just one letter right where it sits there blinking impatiently, and I prefer to be able to sprawl and scrawl over a whole empty page when I’m not yet sure of what I want to say. Once I get some details down on the page, I can organize things more efficiently if I can use arrows and circles to mark things and move chunks of my ideas around. It’s only then that I move to a keyboard, and often after I type something, I go back to paper because it seems easier often to revise, edit, and proofread a paper copy.
My main point: I don’t expect all of you to be comfortable with a fully-electronic class and with doing your work only on a screen. Some of you may be, and that’s fine, but don’t worry if you still prefer to do much of your reading or writing on paper.
As we start this class, I’d like you to think about what you’ve been comfortable in the past with in terms of paper and screen and what perhaps you might be willing to experiment with a bit this semester. For the most part (except for final drafts) we will be getting things back and forth electronically through this blog and your individual blogs. The main reason for this is convenience. But if you’re more comfortable reading on a page, by all means print things out. If you’d rather compose with a pen, go ahead, but then you need to type up a second (or third or fourth) draft. If you haven’t done much with on-screen reading and writing, though, you might want to try it out.
Remember to think about practical issues like computer and internet access. If that’s an issue for you, you’ll need to think about a plan that may involve building time into your schedule to use a computer lab on campus and getting a flash drive (or using some other method like email or Dropbox) to move files between computers as necessary. Please feel free to talk to me if you’d like instruction or some help brainstorming strategies.
I myself have begun to favor screens over paper when it comes to reading and writing. I find that I can complete an essay or book more efficiently when doing it electronically. Almost like skipping that extra step when cooking because you’re hungry and just want your food to be ready faster. Your food still tastes good and you made it in less time. Although, the smell of a paper book really does make my heart happy. (If you’re a bookworm like me you understand). Nonetheless, it is important to be comfortable comepleting tasks on a screen as well as being able to process your thoughts on paper.
I tend to rely on the convenience of screens, whether it be thoughts I have while out and about or reading a book without the burden of carrying it around; I especially take note of this advantage when adding to my abundant and on-going lists I keep in my notes app. I believe I can feel the words a little better when they are written out, and I am able to let my thoughts roam free on the page rather than forcing them to stick to a linear path. I like drawing arrows to connect each thought to one another when my brain is working quicker than my hand. That being said, I’ve grown accustomed to typing quickly so I feel like I can write as fast as my mind moves but the electronic version feels far too organized to truly replicate my thoughts. I like writing in the margins of books as I read and underlining and circling passages, but I can’t do that when I’m listening to an audiobook. Going along the lines of what Sam said, I think the efficiency and easy access of screens has created this immediate sense of pleasure from books, but in my opinion, the slowness of reading a paper book is my favorite part about it.
I have opinions on both. I prefer reading books on paper but writing on a screen if that makes any sense. Reading from something that you can hold makes things simple and writing on a screen can help find and correct spelling mistakes.
In my opinion when I read on-screen Iam not understand what I have read in print. Reading via a screen makes the eyes work much harder than reading a print book. But books are better than screens for deep reading that requires focusing and reflecting upon what I read and learned.
I prefer paper. I tend to find trouble understanding what I am reading when I’m on my phone or reading something on to computer. With that being said, I also find myself getting easily distracted by computers. I tend to wonder off and do something completely different from what I am supposed to do. I find myself being able to write more freely and more creatively when writing on paper. Though writing on a computer makes the process faster and easier to send something to someone, I enjoy paper. I enjoy writing in general even if it’s nonsense.
I prefer reading books for me. But I like writing on the screen, so it help with spelling and correcting mistakes. However reading a book it is more excited and interesting go thru the pages sometimes the graphics the pictures also make excited to read.
I prefer screen, but there are many thoughts I have about Paper Vs Screen. I was brought up before there really were screens/computers and it was only paper. In elementary and middle school, they started getting computer labs and making us a lot more comfortable with computers. As years have gone by, I find it a lot easier to read things on screens and use technology. Sometimes it can strain the eyes after an extended period. I do like relaxing on vacation and reading a nice book on paper. Overall they both have advantages and disadvantages.
Personally, I have opinions on both screen and paper. I still very much prefer to read off of paper instead of a screen because of the fact that I can still the pages of a book and also I’m not straining my eyes as much as I would while reading off a laptop, tablet, or phone. I do like screen better for the writing aspect. It is much quicker to type an essay or notes rather than writing it on paper and your hand gets tired or you mess up and have to erase some things then it just looks messy.
I prefer screen, but it depends on the situation I am in. While reading I would definitely prefer paper. I find that reading a book online strains my eyes and gives me headaches. Reading a book on paper I feel is more relaxing and comforting. While doing school work and writing papers, I prefer screen. I found that over the years of using technology, from middle school and high school, I type faster and I am able to concentrate better. Overall both options are not impossible for me to work with.
I use a combination of both! I used to think I could only read paper books well, but I recently got a kindle and once I played with the settings I could read with ease. I plan out what I need to do on paper, keep a log of everything digitally, and complete things either way. I’ve found that if I write things down on physical paper, and then also type them, I absorb the information much better. I love both, but as someone who wants to work as an Archivist, I get afraid one day I might not have access to something and back up literally everything in multiple forms! (I actually have copies of everything I’ve done for school from the 6th grade onwards)
When it comes to reading books, I prefer to read with physical paper books. I just recently spent around sixty dollars purchasing books to read in my spare time. When it comes to keeping track of large amounts of information however, I prefer to use google docs.
I have always appreciated the physical copy of a book when it comes to school because I like to highlight and take notes and such. However, I have become more comfortable with the use of a laptop and a computer screen because of the convenience and the memory my laptop holds.
I have always enjoyed reading physical books over ebooks; however, when I do get to read, they are almost always online ones. Bookstores tend to be dying out and are harder to find, and going to the local library to read isn’t something I can always fit into my schedule. Due to this, I tend to choose the convenient route and just read on my phone or computer. As for writing, I definitely prefer writing digitally. Physical writing is a lot more time consuming and I find it harder for me to think when writing on paper. I think that’s because physically erasing or throwing away my work (especially since it takes longer to hand write things) is really discouraging and stresses me out.
I grew up with pen/paper. Reading a book off a screen was somewhat of a far fetched idea. Obviously, times change, and people have to adapt. When you want to “jot down ideas” it has always felt so normal to go for the pen and paper, but, now I find myself reaching for my phone, or iPad first. When it comes to reading text, the accessibility of modern technology in the palm of our hands, it would almost seem silly to reach for the paper back or newspaper. I guess it all comes down to retraining our eyes as opposed to changing the rest of the world.
The feel of an actual paper book in my hand is like no other. I recently purchased my first kindle in the last few months because ” everyone was doing it “. I usually could care less what everyone else is doing or how they are doing it but I decided to see what the hype was about. I do love it, its thin light weight can fit in my purse, the battery lasts forever and I can read in my bed at night without turning on every light just to see the pages, a million cute cases to choose from you get the point. However, a paper book it just is so much easier to disconnect from that need for technology. Turning the pages, the smell, getting lost in a good book to me feels like real reading . Barnes and Noble takes a lot of my money every month.My books shelves are stocked I want to be Belle in the Beasts Castle with a library . No joke. As far as writing I prefer good old pen and paper. I live for sticky note ideas with a regular BIC pen. Not the inky ones to be exact. I have purchased a few self help journals recently and I found myself actually really enjoying writing down my thoughts and then rereading. Its stress relieving its seeing how I feel on paper. Really changes the game for me, but typing this now as a first blog post is also ridiculously satisfying.
As I get older I tend to gravitate towards screen usage for writing purposes as well as reading. When I read on my iPad I can download whatever I am reading and put it in a specific app that allows me to highlight or comment on what I’m reading. I find it difficult to focus on what I’m reading majority of the time, so since that allows me to constantly be engaged in the material it’s easier for me to retain the information. However, this does not completely eliminate my desire to pick up a book every once in awhile. Some days I have the urge to go to the library and pick out a book, check it out and then bring it back, although I never do. I believe more people are transitioning over to screen usage just to keep up with the rapid use of technology, but I think its important too, to revisit how we started reading and writing with physical paper as well.
I have always preferred writing on paper than on a screen, but I will admit the convenience of always having a screen on me with constantly having a phone in my pocket. It is so easy to just take it out and use the note app for whatever thought happened to hit me.
There is something about writing on paper and seeing your thought process. The ability to see how I felt in real-time, either it’s my writing borderline ineligible due to how fast I was thinking or the slow neat words that showed I was putting thought and genuine meaning into every word I wrote.
When reading back what I wrote on paper it makes me feel like I read someone’s thoughts while through a screen makes me feel like I read something that was mass-produced. there are no feelings no sentiments in it.
I 100% prefer using screens. Honestly I enjoy writing on paper when it comes to note taking because it helps me study and remember more of what I’m learning about. I’ve always been a screen person unfortunately. Social media and using my phone everyday plays a big factor in why I prefer screens over paper. I can take my time and delete mistakes, I can proof read a lot easier and use tools online to help me make my writing better. I do think paper and writing things down are very important as well, I just think because everyone is on technology that screens are much more common than writing on paper.
Personally I love taking notes on paper versus on a screen but I also rather type up my writings on a screen than on paper. So I enjoy both but sometimes it’s more convenient and easier to break down on paper. However, reading on a screen rather than on paper is very difficult for me because I need to be able to take notes right beside it or underline. I also like typing on screen because first and foremost auto corrections!! It is so helpful especially since my punctuation is terrible and it corrects it and I see my mistakes.
I like to write notes and ideas down on paper but I like doing work on the computer better, I usually will brainstorm on paper and then write my answers out on the computer. It helps me with my spelling and punctuation with auto-correcting and helps me with my sentences.
I enjoy typing out my papers more than writing them out by hand. It’s much easier for me to make a messy first draft by just barfing all my thoughts onto the keyboard and just typing everything that pops into my head as it pops in. It makes writing more fluid for me like I was having a conversation with somebody just saying whatever. And I never saw the blinking curser sitting there waiting for you to continue typing as something to be intimidated by, but as you just taking a break to catch your breath until you’re ready to say more.
i prefer to type and read on a computer. i find it to be easy since i tend to lose my paper or miss place them. plus with a computer its easy for me to search up words i dont know or have trouble spelling.
The paper has a nice nostalgic approach, but there’s something to be said for the screen because you can edit in real-time. The screen is more mainstream and to the point, allowing you to maximize your time usage.
I have mixed feelings about both paper and screen. I do love holding a book in my hand and reading it, as well as writing down key things that stand out to me. I feel it helps me remember what I read. I also do enjoy typing on a screen because it allows me to recheck punctuation and spelling when it comes to submitting my word.
Personally, I have always been a student who prefers to learn on paper and in person. This is the case because when you are in person things are much more hands on, easy to understand, and questions can be asked on the spot rather than back and forth emails. Despite feeling like this, my circumstances resulted in me being fully online, how ironic. Sometimes all the technology, links, and different factors that come with online learning tend to confuse me and almost seem unnecessary in a sense. I am going to try my best to adapt to an online environment, and hopefully beyond that, flourish in one.
I used to be someone who would only read a physical book and would only write my rough drafts on paper with a pencil. Throughout the years and the take-over of technology I have adapted to actually enjoying doing things through technology. I now only read on my kindle because it’s more convenient for me and easier to travel with. I also now write things out using my computer or my phone. For example I used to write down my groceries lists on paper, but more often than not I will write my grocery list in the Notes app on my cell phone now. I find writing on a computer to be easier at times due to being able to cut and paste sentences in a better place rather than crossing it out and re-writing the entire sentence(s). On occasion I will print out what I wrote on the computer and revise it with a pen then go back into the computer and input my changes. I have never written on a blog though so I find this aspect of this class interesting. I love trying new things so I can’t wait to see how this goes!
You’re really thoughtful and smart for seeing how different everyone in our class is, especially when it comes to what they like to use for reading and writing—like some prefer paper and others like screens better. Changing from using pens and notebooks to gadgets like computers and tablets is a big deal for each person. It shows how things are changing for all of us, but also how each of us is different in how we think and create. It’s great that you want the class to be flexible and to let students try out both using paper and technology. This way, everyone can figure out what works best for them to learn and be creative. You’re basically inviting us to mix the old ways with new ideas to come up with our own special way of doing things, which is really cool.
Being an adult learner, I specifically chose an online option due to my schedule and obligations. In spite of being accustomed to navigating the internet, computers and technology in general, I still prefer paper. I understand that the world is evolving, and technology is becoming the way of the world and although I can adapt to this with ease, in order for me to understand what it is I am required to read/review, I prefer my readings on paper for notetaking and highlighting.
I prefer screen over paper when writing. I find it easier to organize my thoughts and honestly I don’t have the best handwriting. I also like how you can track word and character count when you’re typing. And of course spell and grammar check is helpful. As for reading I always prefer a paper back book to an online or audio book.
Paper vs screen is a great balance for writing. In my belief a person benefits from being able to take their thoughts to paper where they can be scrubbed, scratched, edited etc. before the out pour of a polished thought provoking masterpiece. In this manner I don’t really see the two as a way of one against the other, but where the two are able to work together as the author is able to go through “all channels” of themselves to have their voice heard. The good, the bad, the ugly; if you will. While screen has its convenience in my book & would be my overall choice, it’d be nothing with out the sweat & true identity left behind with a pen & pad.
Paper vs Screen, I used to prefer reading a good book and jotting notes on paper when I was younger, but I suppose that is because computers were not as affordable as they are today. You could always find me in some corner of a library, or sitting by a window ledge, reading about far-off adventures in the “fiction” section, or some new craft project in the “how to” section, or even in the science section learning about different technologies and how they can help us adapt in a world that is not always “user friendly.” However, as the world has changed, so has my opinion. I have found that screens have allowed me to find information within text so much quicker, and the use of side-by-side is very helpful with research papers. I, like you, have also found it difficult to stare at the dreaded “blinking curser.” Something that has helped me is using dictation software or a speech-to-text app to get those “creative juices” flowing a bit faster. I can use my headphones and mic (wireless), stand up, walk around, and just start talking. It allows me to “type” much faster than if I were to use a keyboard. Editing with my voice has become effortless because I can select entire paragraphs and move them around as needed, all with a simple voice prompt. I also love the text-to-speech options when my eyes are just too tired to read, or my brain is having difficulty focusing on what I’ve just read. I think we all have had those moments, the “How many times can I reread the same line or paragraph and still not remember what I just read.” I used to find those moments so mentally draining, but with a little playing around with the speed settings and sometimes the tone settings as well, I can have someone read it to me, and I am able to retain the information much more easily. I still love a good book in my hand, and I think I will always enjoy it. But when it comes to writing, I’ve definitely moved toward the digital side.
I have always liked hands on paper work. I still do perfer reading on paper and not a computer, but I do perfer doing my work and writing on computers. When I am reading on a computer I tend to just read the words rathers than understand what i’m reading.
I prefer reading paper work because sometimes I struggle to actually comprehend what I’m reading which its where sticky notes become a big help as I can paraphrase a chapter in the article and stick it to a part of the book where I need re memorization. Personally, reading on a screen can become difficult when I’m trying to go back and fourth between pages when I’m trying to go back to a certain page to quote something. I just feel as though, having a book in-front of me is a lot easier , as a lot of professors use different websites where you need to learn the website then learn how to take notes while also learning how to navigate their website of choice in a course. Also, sometimes looking at a screen for long periods of time can hurt my eyes. Although, reading on a screen seems to be the new normal which is why I am up for getting accustomed to that side of learning and ready to break out of my shell.
I find as I have gotten older and farther into my professional working years that my preferences have changed. I used to be a hard copy only using ink to paper to organize myself. All the post-it notes and legal pads full of my thoughts or scheduled data like organized chaos, but now find a dependency on the quick accessibility and ease of sharing data that screens provide. I also feel there is a social influence to this change in preference. Communications as a whole has moved to a digital form, be it a text message, an email, e- readers, or even a blog. I do however enjoy the occasional page turning of a good old fashion book, where no plugs are required.