For my choice of topic blog post I am writing about a debate surrounding social media and other technologically advanced types of communication. Texting, online social media sites and
twitter have all been accused of ruining the grammar and spelling of users. Teachers are known to complain about students
spelling things incorrectly, adding numbers to their words, and
lacking punctuation in their school work. Many people believe these are bad habits brought on by instant messaging and texting. However I argue that this
is a pessimistic, narrow view. Texting and online social media sites have introduced and caused users to learn useful skills applicable to
their everyday lives. Below is a cartoon showing how some teachers and adults may perceive student's understanding of the written language.
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| Figure 1.1 Teach by text. From Stumblethro Cartoons by Parker, J. 2011. Copyright 2001 by Cagle Cartoons. |
Useful skills that can be gained from texting and using social media sites. One way these means of communication have helped me is in my note-taking. Before university I’d never had to take notes while a teacher was talking, they were always put on the board for me to copy down. However I had little difficulty adjusting to taking notes orally because I was already well versed in shorthand. This was because I'd used shorthand while texting and chatting online. There are times when proper grammar and spelling are very important but there are also times when they are not vital. When taking notes the goal is to get down what a professor is saying quickly. Lack of spelling and grammar and shorthand enables one to get down information quickly, in a format understandable to you.
In her blog KellMc argues social networks and instant messaging are not contributing to the destruction of the English language. KellMc points out that social media and instant messaging promote regular contact with words and written communication. She believes the use of shorthand may actually increase literacy and creativity. Like me KellMc sees the value of social media and other new forms of communication. There are times when it is more convenient to use shorthand than proper spelling and grammar. This does not mean that social media is ruining the English language, it's expanding it.
My fellow classmate Lina Hegberg wrote a blog about how as we become more technologically advanced, and do the majority of our communication online, we are working towards becoming a more sustainable world. Lina also mentions how through Twitter and Facebook people can constantly be discussing sustainability. This is just another example of the good that can come out of social media. People who look at communication devices like Twitter and Facebook, and see only the negative, like misspelled words, are missing the bigger picture. Forms of communication such as Facebook, Twitter and texting introduce useful tools to users that they can use in many other parts of their lives.
References
destruction of the English language. Message posted to
http://networkconference.netstudies.org/2010/04/
Hegberg, L. (2012, February 22). The accessibility of sustainability; how two universities have
incorporated social media into student and community life. Message posted to
http://lmariehales.blogspot.com/
