Comparing Sources of Research Material

Comparing Sources of Research Material

The purpose of the assignment is to compare and contrast the source of research material available to a learner. We were first assigned to find a source from the Internet, and the second assignment was to find another source from the periodicals in the USCA library. This comparison will help each individual to determine the type of reading that benefits him or her the most. From these two sources, I learned a great deal of information about the different influences and ways that people learn. I recognize and agree that people can learn in different ways. I believe that as a person growing up in a technologically advanced world, that the current generation is more comfortable using information available from the Internet.

The first article that I read was "Digital Literacy," written by Richard Lanham. This article discussed how plain black and white text has become a thing of the past. The article states that reading material is now available on the web that contains a combination of audio and graphics and is the new method of written communication. The second article was "Teaching and Learning Literacy With Technology," written by Philip Molebash and Douglas Fisher. This article discussed the growing interaction of people with technology and writing. Both articles discuss the growing use of technology. While both articles had a similar message, what interested me was that I discovered the first article on the more advanced form of technology (the internet) while the second article was found in a more traditional research setting (the library).

The two articles demonstrate a contrast in presentation style. One difference is the way that the text is presented. An article that is on the Internet can have graphics and lots of color; most of the articles that are written in periodicals are in just plain black and white text. Some find that it is easier to read plain black and white text; others like the ability of reading the text with different colors and graphics to keep their attention. I personally find it easier to read text on the Internet for the graphics. Scrolling is also one of the things that I find most convenient things when using the Internet versus regular text. This saves lots of time when looking for a specific point, rather than flipping through pages in a book or print out.