Response 9: Pencils to Pixels

In From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies, Baron argues that all new technology has a purpose and changes the way society looks at literacy. All forms of writing are some form of technology, even if we don’t realize it. Even though we often lose sight of the technological process of writing, we are reminded of it when “a new technology like the computer comes along and we are thrown into excitement and confusion as we try it…and adapt it to our lives” (424).

Before pencils were invented, there really was no simple way of recording messages. While pencils were invented for woodworkers, they became mainstream once their uses were realized. While they aren’t as complicated of an invention as computers, they were very advanced for their time (426). I believe this is the main point of Baron’s article: all forms of technology create and enhance literacy, but all will eventually become outdate. However, this is no reason not to learn and understand the forms. If we don’t use new forms of writing technology, we will not be able to advance our literacy at the same pace as society.