AF: Sergio asked me

When I write a post that I want you to read, I will use my initials in the subject line as a signal to you: "Hey! Read this.  Your teacher is talking to you!" I expect my students to read the post, and to open the links to read or scan the articles.

Sergio asked me whether it was OK to buy digital copies of the books, and of course, the answer is yes.

Then I realized something -- or was reminded, I guess -- that much of the reading and writing for summer homework will take place on devices we call "phones."   Then Jason mentioned in a blog comment that he was writing his comment on his phone.

I recognize that we are changing as a society, and that my perceptions and interactions with technology are informed by a generational bias.  I embrace technology, even as I am constantly renegotiating its power over my life, my time, my thought process, my work flow -- even how many steps I take in a day.

However, it is my belief -- born out of experience, and supported by research -- that reading and writing on your phones will not support your academic growth as robustly as reading and writing in the old-school way.  Read on a e-Reader or a tablet if you must, but the best way, the absolute BEST way, is to buy the paper-and-glue book, and to read with a pencil in your hand.

When reading for this class, the content shares equal billing with the THE PROCESS -- building both a reading and a writing process that encourages deep thought.  Superficial reading leads to superficial writing.

Write in your book.  Write in your notebooks as you read.  Don't think of your notebook as this perfect product, super neat and beautiful, with mistakes carefully covered over with white-out tape.   Your notebook is a place for raw thinking.  Be organized, yes...but don't get all twisted up in perfection.  Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.

I want to go outside and play now.  I'm done with being on a keyboard.  I have more to say, but I'll say it later.