| Technological advances change the way we live and work. Digital clocks, ballpoint pens, and calculators have each become a part of our society and students now learn to use them in school. Consider how recent advances in technology have changed the way we live and work. Are they represented in your curriculum? Here are some examples:
Three-Dimensional Writing - Writing has traditionally been two-dimensional: across and down a page. This constraint was imposed by the medium: scrolls, slate, and paper. Computer technology allows us to move to a third dimension through hyperlinks. A student can write a composition and identify areas that may benefit from elaboration. Using a hyperlink, the student can write additional text accessible to the reader by clicking on a word or phrase. The skill of three-dimensional writing must be taught and, therefore, included in the curriculum.
E-mail - Electronic mail is a mix between formal written and spoken language. How do we convey tone in e-mail? How do we write succinctly? What role does capitalization play? What role do emoticons play?
Web Navigation - More and more information is available on the World Wide Web. The Web is characterized by multimedia representations of information and links that allow you to navigate the information in any of a number of ways. It is easy to follow a tangent and lose track of your initial purpose. Students need to learn to navigate three-dimensional writing with a purpose.
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