Write a critical evaluation essay in which you identify a form of technology and assess its impact on language or literacy practices. For the purpose of this project, technology can be defined broadly to include hardware (e.g., cell phones, tablets, computers, video projectors) and software (e.g., word processors, Internet browsers) as well as online resources (e.g., websites, online apps and social networking sites).
Steps to take:
1. Identify a form of technology
2. Think about criteria you will use for evaluating the technology (we will discuss criteria in class). These can reflect your values and beliefs, but should also reflect the audience's values and beliefs.
3. Use the criteria you determined to evaluate your technology; think carefully about how it does or does not meet each criterion.
4. Based on your evaluation formulate a claim about your technology, make an argument (claim) about the role of this piece of technology in language and literacy practices and in learning. Think about the following:
a. What are some forms of technology you have always had access to and have come to take for granted?
b. How have the influenced the ways in which you read and write as well as think, learn, and interact with others?
c. What are some of the benefits of the technology?
d. What are some of the problems introduced by the same technology?
e. How are people reacting to the technology?
f. How can the technology be altered to facilitate literacy practices and learning?
Learning Objectives
In this project, you will learn to:
1. Demonstrate your understanding of the multiple perspectives and representations of your object
2. Identify a set of criteria by which you can evaluate your object
3. Identify the audience for your writing
4. Articulate the criteria for your evaluation and persuade the audience if some of the criteria have not already been shared with the audience
5. Formulate a claim based upon your evaluation of your object
6. Consider larger implication of the evaluation
7. Identify, develop and organize supporting evidence.