Whilst researching an assignment for Language Methodology a few weeks ago, I came across an article by Linda W Braun (unfortunately I am unable to find the link to the document again at this stage, but if you’re interested contact me and I can email you a pdf. version). Linda, an Education technology consultant, seems to be a a bit of a “guru” when it comes to integrating emerging technologies into the learning environment (which is why I have added her to my blogroll!) She did a reasearch project in which she enquired about 13-18 year olds reading preferences (they had to list anything and everything they read on a daily basis). The final list read as follows:

1) text messages

2) email

3) MySpace + Facebook

4) Orchestra Music

5) Seventeen Magazine

6) itunes

7) IM + Specific websites

Book reading was almost always related to school assignments. What Linda is saying is that adults need to realise that “non traditional” forms of reading are equally valuable and these resources can be tapped into in order to promote literay skills and get students to think of themselves as avid readers. I have come to accept that in Australian schools, reading (traditional)  foreign literature is reserved for Extension courses. But in line with what Linda promotes, I aim to enhance all of my students’ reading skills in the foreign language by use of online texts (e.g. online newspapers, blogs, deducting information from authentic websites etc).