Banks Reading

The focus on race and technology is key to technological literacy, and not in the way that most may think. In this chapter, Banks argues that the intersection between race and technology is one that has been swept under the rug for too long, and is one that is too important to be ignored anymore. The “white interface” adopted by most websites has crushed the individuality that so many internet users crave, and websites like BlackPlanet throw this model out and allow users to create themselves as individuals. From this article’s view on the intersection of race and technology we learn that allowing students to have their uniqueness online will actually promote their literacy, not destroy it.

In his analysis of BlackPlanet, Banks argues to demolish the popular view that the Standard English grammar is the most beneficial way to communicate, and show how important online individuality is to literacy. By taking just this one website, Banks shows the importance of usernames, personal pages and the mechanics behind them, chatrooms, and online feedback. As Banks says, the users of this website “claim” a space and identity for themselves (Banks, 74-5). The point of this chapter, Banks argues, is to alert educators that recreational web use is “just as important a study as any other, because those uses occur in spaces that are removed from the disciplinary forces of schools, libraries, and other organizations where literacy is taught” (Banks, 73). People often look down upon teens using the web recreationally, (as illustrated by the scene from the library on page 73) when it is, in fact, a vital part of literacy education. Banks uses the example of just this one website to prove his point.

Personally, I find the first of the list to be the most important. In every aspect of learning creativity is key and needs to be utilized in order for students to learn most efficiently. Along with the creativity aspect, students also learn better when they work in groups, or for a common goal, such as feedback. The more connections a student makes with the material, the more likely he/she is to remember it in the long run. Students of all ages, but more specifically middle and high school aged are looking to find themselves, and using this technique will only help them.