From Virginia Heffernen

1.       I think teachers could have better prepared us by teaching more computer based classes in elementary and middle school. My high school years I took quite a few computer classes to prepare me for college and some were even mandatory. If I were to write them a brief email I would express to them that students should be required to take a few different computer classes. When students are exposed at a young age they will be better off down the road in remembering the different skills.

2.       The different technology I anticipate using in my future career path will be computers, smart phones, and the different programs on computers. I do believe my schooling here at Oakland University will prepare me for that.

3.       Yes, I think I write better in a more relaxed setting. My reason for that is I do not feel the pressure to meet a certain length or what to say in my paper. With blogs or emails I know what I am writing about and my writing just flows more and I am more efficient in that writing.

4.       If I were a teacher I would teach my students the different programs to use on the computer. Besides computer knowledge I would take them to different museums in order for them to receive the hands on knowledge with high tech equipment. There is this museum in New York City that is based on technology. You can simulate how surgery and procedures might be done in the future. I would also show them different videos on high tech equipment.

5.       I agree with the main thesis, in that students should be better prepared by learning about high tech equipment before they are college students. Jobs in the future are going to require the knowledge of technology. Students should be exposed to this knowledge at a young age because newer technology will be created.

Literacy Timeline

·         First words were: mommy, daddy, and doggy.

·         My parents reading children’s stories to me as I was a child

·         I had so many books everywhere my grandma bought me baskets to put them all in so when she came over she wouldn’t have to pick them all up.

·         My first memory was playing with those magnetic alphabet letters on the magnet board.

·         Learning to write my name

·         Being able to quote the words from books that were read to me numerous times.

·         My mom took sign language classes and taught me what she learned.

·         Learning to read

·         In kindergarten making our own books and reading them

·         All the time my mom would read different stories on the couch to my two siblings and I

·         Reading all of the American Girl Doll books with my mom. My love of reading grew from reading these books since I loved them so much.

·         Learning cursive in second grade.

·         After recess my teachers would read different book series to the class

·         Taking writing classes to improve my writing

·         Starting to read the Laura Ingles Wilder books in fourth grade

·         Finishing one American Girl Doll book just so I would be able to go to Borders to buy the next.

·         I started filling a bookshelf up with American Girl books.

·         Met my best friend the start of fifth grade since we both loved reading American Girl books

·         Doing book reports in school

·         Once a week, first grade through sixth grade I had spelling tests and vocab quizzes.

·         Starting the Nancy Drew Mystery series

·         Taking online writing class over the summer

·         My seventh grade English teacher would let my best friend and I go outside to complete our assignments sometimes since we would complete them quickly.

·         Reading Treasure Island was the worst book I had to read for class since the teacher sidetracked every sentence. I was never completely sure of what happened in the book.

·         When I took Spanish I would turn the closed caption on while I watch Full House DVDs, since I had seen them numerous times it helped me remember words in Spanish.

·         Tenth grade was the first year I entered public school and their writing style was different to what I previously was taught so it took some time for me to adapt.

·         I would read the book assigned and then in class watch the movie made from the book and compare and contrast the differences.

·         I took a class on Reading Comprehension and all we were assigned was to read three book of our choice. I was a fast reader and complete several books beyond that.

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What's I got to do with it By Amy Hodges Hamilton

This article stuck out to me the most because I felt like I related to it more than the others. Personal literacies can be used in your writing. She felt unsure of how to use her personal life into her writing.  When you write about your own experiences you learn more about yourself and become a better writer through that. Writing can be an emotional experience and understanding yourself better can help you be more successful in your writing.  Your personal experiences lead to something bigger than you might realize. By thinking of the first times you were writing and reading bring to recollection your earliest memories of the art of language. I can remember reading young children’s books in preschool and learning cursive in second grade. By remembering those things I can grow as a writer in personal literacies.

Why is Writing Important

Within the business world writing is used quite frequently. I will have to write business letters to clients or coworkers. Writing is used to communicate effectively in the business world. I will need to be able to clearly get my point across when writing letters or memos. The skill of writing can be used quite frequently in the job area. Writing can be used to inform customers of new products coming out. Speeches could possibly have to be prepared to make in front of a number of important board members.   The art of writing is effective when the point trying to be made is clearly received. Speeches could possibly have to be prepared to make in front of a number of important board members.  My writing and communication skills will need to improve in order for my thoughts to be clearly received.  Writing will be used in any type of job area because communication is always necessary.