Beginning the readings in this subject gave me my own Game of Thrones (2012) moment, feeling like I’m Jon Snow as Ygritte announces, “You know nothing, Jon Snow” (2012). I thought I had a handle on this space. I read…I listen…I’m in my public library digital space 3-4 times a week. But I know nothing. It’s easy to identify where I settled into my thinking about this space; it came with the acceptance that digital literature is simply an electronic version of something I might otherwise be able to access in print or, create a print version of an electronic file. As soon as I let go of this misconception, I became aware of the possibilities of digital literature aptly described by Wright (2019) as “works that depend on electronic “code” to exist. Put simply, you can print an e-book, but you cannot print electronic literature”. In his 2019 article for The Conversation, Wright nominates 10 best examples of digital literature which stretch the average readers conception of what might be considered literature. But that is exactly the point, isn’t it?
In just one week, a whole new world was opened to me and I began the search for great examples to expand my experiences and connect to digital literature. Rettberg (2012) identifies a wide range of born digital literature. This was my starting point and I search for many of the titles described only to be left disappointed. Many of the titles described were either no longer available or, they were not immediately available for access or download. This was frustrating and seemed to me counter productive for a digital product, with one site, Eastgate, only providing the majority of their products on USB via post. How then am I to get my start with true digital literature? The blocks I have faced so far have left me with many questions and suspicions that there are some issues with digital literature. It leads me to think that digital literature is 1. impermanent, 2. Requires the reader to stay on trend and, 3. only available as hardware and software allow for compatibility. I’m left wondering if I will truly be able to explore unique forms of digital literature or will I be left exploring enhanced e-books.
A further consideration to the broad use of electronic literature has to be the impact on the reader and their reading experience. Jabr (2013) discusses numerous studies which identify physical texts as a preference for a broad range of readers. This make me question if, and when the shift to broad scale use of electronic texts will happen. This is the first year of teaching in which I have a class with a significant number of students selecting e-books for their personal reading (up to 50% of the class on any given day); although on 3 to 4 regularly choose to do so, and they have certainly not discovered electronic literature. In addition to identifying the slow uptake of digital literature, Jabr (2013) also discusses the function of reading on a screen leads to more scanning and hunting for keywords compared to when reading on paper. Garland, in Jabr (2013) further explains that print reading leads to remembering and knowing; screen reading leads to knowing. The consequence of this in the classroom and school library must be that teachers and librarians must explicitly leach the skills required to be effective readers of electronic literature. Lamb (2011) understandingly expressed that engagement achieved with bells and whistles does not necessarily enhance learning. However, used wisely, electronic literature has potential to provide engaging and deep learning experiences (James & De Kock, 2013).
Clearly, my journey has just begun.
References
Jabr, F. (2013). The reading brain in the digital age: The science of paper versus screens. Scientific American, April 11. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
James, R. & De Kock, L. (2013). The digital David and the guteberg goliath: the rise of the ‘enhanced’e-book. English Academy Review, 30(1), pp.1078-123. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10131752.2013.783394
Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(3), 12-17. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=ec789c31-9819-4f0c-8848-7ab64af0e432%40sdc-v-sessmgr01
Martin, G. R. R. (2012). Game of Thrones, HBO.
Rettberg, J. W. (2012). Electronic literature seen from a distance: the beginnings of a field. Retrieved from http://www.dichtung-digital.org/2012/41/walker-rettberg.htm
Wright, D. T. H. (2019). From Twitterbots to VR: 10 of the best examples of digital literature. The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/from-twitterbots-to-vr-10-of-the-best-examples-of-digital-literature-110099
I am glad this subject is opening some new ideas for you, Lisette; hopefully this continues through your studies! (: