PASSAGE 5
AN INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR MICHAEL WESCH
How has technology changed the way we learn?
Most importantly, the web now gives US the opportunity to publish our own work. Instead of simply watching TV, we can create and edit our own videos. Instead of just reading a magazine, we can write our own articles and documents and publish them. There are now 1.4 billion people connected online, so we can use the work we create to reach out and connect with large numbers of people.
What advice would you give to today’s students and teachers?
Now is the time to rethink the meaning of the word “literacy”. We used to think of literacy as the ability to read and write. Now we need to think beyond reading and writing. We all need to learn how to create and collaborate on videos, photos, blogs, wikis, online forums, and other kinds of digital media.
This can be difficult when teachers and students do not have access to the Internet, but the core skills can be practiced in classrooms without technology. One of the most important skills we must now learn is collaboration, and this can be practiced on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or even a simple piece of paper. We can learn to listen to one another, use each other’s strengths, and practice working together in any environment.
(Reading Explorer 0, Cengage Learning National Geographic)
1. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A. Most people now watch a lot of movies and TV on the Internet.
B. People used to read a lot of articles in the past, but not anymore.
C. People now spend too much time connecting with other people using the Internet.
D. The Internet allows US to create our own work and connect with many people.
2. The word “them” (in the first paragraph) refers to.
A. TV and video B. articles and documents
C. 1.4 billion people D. students and teachers
3. What is Michael Wesch’s main idea in the second paragraph?
A. Most teachers today do not teach literacy.
B. Today’s students no longer need to learn how to read and write.
C. Today’s students need to learn more than just reading and writing.
D. Schools should teach digital literacy and not reading and writing.
4. What kind of digital media is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. blogs B. photos C. e-mails D. online forums
5. What would Michael Wesch probably say to a teacher without Internet access?
A. “Teach your students how to collaborate in other ways.”
B. “Teach your students how to use other kinds of technology.”
C. “Teach your students how to write on a whiteboard.”
D. “Teach your students how to get access to the Internet.”
