Thompson, C. (2009, August 25). Clive Thompson on the New Literacy. Wired Magazine, 17, Retrieved February 28, 2010, from http://www.shannoncarter-blog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Clive-Thompson-on-the-New-Literacy.pdf

Several professors and teachers believe that the quality of students writing is on the decline because of new technologies such as Facebook and text messaging. However, the study being done by Andrea Lunsford at Stanford University argues otherwise. Lunsford has collected 14,627 writing samples from students at Stanford between the years of 2001-2006. After her extensive research Lunsford argues,"I think we're in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen since Greek civilization." She goes on the explain that students are writing so much more these days through the use of blogging, Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones and other technologies. The extensive use of these technologies helps improve students writing, not hinder it. The online world of writing allows students to write in a different context than they had 50 years ago. Students today almost always write for an audience which is a remarkable change and is one aspect of becoming a great writer. She also agrees that good teaching is crucial for students to improve their writing skills but these technologies have had a positive effect on student writing. She believes new technologies are, "Pushing our literacy in bold new directions."