Abstract:
In today's rapidly evolving landscape of information and technology, education and training face numerous challenges in the fierce competition among schools to attract students.
In this context, the determination to change traditional teaching methods and adopt modern instructional approaches becomes crucial for the survival of universities, especially private schools. The challenges faced in this endeavor are even more pronounced for the humanities and social sciences in general, and literature in particular. This article aims to highlight the importance of integrating digital communication into the teaching of literature in the modern context. By employing literary reception theory, the article aims to clarify the current advancements in teaching and learning, specifically in the realms of reading, research, assimilating specialized knowledge, and offering professional feedback through examinations and student presentations. The above activities in the lecture hall are extensively supported by digital communication. Books can be easily “Charging the battery”, works can be read in digital formats, and research articles can be accessed through image files. Students have the convenience of purchasing books worldwide in the form of ebooks from the comfort of their homes, requiring only a payment account instead of physically visiting libraries and bookstores as was the norm in the past. It can be confidently stated that with the aid of digital media, literature brings forth refined elements closer to the general public, and conversely, it also enables online literature to reach a broader community.
Keywords: The Utilization of digital communication, digital communication in learning literature
Introduction
By 2023, the presence of the Internet in Vietnam has reached nearly 36 years. “November 16, 1997, marked the first day when Vietnam was connected to the global internet" (Hoang Thi Hong Ha, 2017: 6-7). Since then, with the remarkable advancement of information technology and the emergence of modern media, the communication landscape of the country has undergone significant changes. The new versions of technology-driven applications, equipped with user-friendly features, have greatly influenced people's lifestyle preferences. As a result, individuals have experienced notable transformations in communication, reading culture, as well as their viewing and listening habits compared to the past.
From the 20th century until the present, literature has undergone significant transformations in terms of creativity, theory, and criticism. Literary research methods have also continuously evolved. In terms of innovative approaches to teaching and learning literature, new issues have emerged. Students no longer view their goal as simply obtaining a university degree to become literature teachers at various educational levels or pursue careers as researchers or journalists, as was traditionally expected. Nowadays, literature students aspire to explore more dynamic career opportunities and engage further in media-related activities such as scriptwriting, website development, teaching life skills, or creating content for applications. Consequently, this poses a challenge for educators to design training programs that focus on practical skills and incorporate various modern methods, allowing graduates to have a wide range of job prospects in the market.
The challenge is also an opportunity, as everyone stands before an “internet ocean”, able to master information based on their cognitive abilities and the perceptiveness and adaptability of each individual. Additionally, after two years of directly facing the Covid-19 pandemic, global teaching and learning methods and forms have also changed. Alongside the development of the 4th Industrial Revolution, no field of study or science can remain stagnant and survive. We present several aspects of applying digital media in literature teaching, drawing from our over 15 years of experience in university and secondary school education, as well as our interactions with young people in a context where technology and media dominate and comprehensively influence life.
Content Section
1. Acknowledging the new approach of young people and reevaluating the emphasis on classical works in teaching
The integration of digital media in literature teaching acknowledges the new approaches of young people toward this field. This recognition also raises the question of reconsidering the preference for classical works, venerating and relying on them, which has been practiced in universities until now.
The synchronization with today's learners is rapid due to social media. Therefore, classic literary works may also find new channels of dissemination, and instructors should boldly share them to bridge the gap between classics and the general audience. It is believed that classic literature is reserved for discerning readers. Alternatively, the significant meanings of those great works may be confined within the confines of traditional interpretations.
In the past, the reception of literary works primarily focused on their aesthetic aspects. Artistic value was emphasized in both teaching and reception. Nowadays, with the support of media and modern communication platforms, the boundary between art and the market begins to blur. Commercial elements are gaining control over young people's reading channels, and they are more accustomed to internet literature, LGBTQ+ literature, and marginalized literature than canonical or high-art literature.
Not all literature students are comprehensive readers. In the past, most literature enthusiasts were seen as "bookworms," and many pursued literature as a way to legitimize their passion for reading. Literature belonged to basic sciences (much like Mathematics), and since it was not a highly sought-after field in the job market, literature students from the 80s and earlier possessed a strong foundation in Chinese characters, Vietnamese script, Eastern-Western knowledge, and holistic thinking. These qualities helped them secure employment after graduation. Present-day literature students, apart from those who appreciate and admire the aforementioned classics, have various other reasons for pursuing this field. The current reading trend favors shorter works. Young people enjoy genres such as essays, short stories, and novels. Most of the assigned readings are novels, which students tend to avoid. However, students do choose anthologies of short stories and materials under 200 pages. The total number of pages students read is not significantly less than that of novels. The aversion to lengthy readings has become a psychological barrier in recent times, making young readers perceive long texts as challenging and prompting them to reject them as a form of reaction. If not handled skillfully, instructors may unintentionally create pressure on students, leading to a loss of interest in the field, potential major changes, or dropping out of studies.
2. Enhancing Digital Reading Materials for Students
With modern technology at their fingertips, students can access a wealth of digitized resources. Here, we discuss various methods of reading books in the age of media and information technology because reading is essential to this field of study and crucial for developing professional competence in the future. Therefore, learners have the advantage of social networks to acquire new learning methods, while educators apply and learn modern techniques to effectively utilize the strengths that science and digital technology offer in the present era.
Firstly, instead of solely relying on physical books, students can explore digital reading materials such as compressed image documents that can be read directly on laptops, smartphones, or Kindle devices.
Furthermore, rather than visiting bookstores or libraries to find and read books, today's students can conveniently purchase both print and digital materials online with their online payment accounts.
In addition, accessing international resources is easily achievable for today's youth. Libraries, both local and abroad, now offer digital versions of books, audiobooks, and traditional print materials. The research efforts of literature students also benefit greatly from the availability of digitized resources. Scientific journals from around the world provide digital editions, allowing readers to access them remotely. Large online book retailers, such as Amazon, also offer affordable digital books for sale.
As a result, traditional methods of teaching literature, as commonly perceived, may no longer be suitable. Educating students on effectively and responsibly using the technological tools at their disposal becomes essential. Leveraging the modern features of these tools in their specialized studies becomes necessary. However, not all literature instructors are well-versed in technology, and not all students are willing to abandon their entertainment-oriented habits on the devices they possess. These devices become students' private "books" or personal lives, where no one can control the content within. Alternatively, the device can serve as a book that only requires charging to continue reading and learning. Alternatively, students may find themselves simply browsing social media pages, watching TikTok videos, and reading or listening to reviews about literary works instead of reading the complete texts.
Balancing Print and Digital Books
In addition to incorporating digitized materials read on technological devices, it is also important to maintain a continuous focus on reading print books in research, teaching, and learning. We cannot deny the role of print books in human life, and they cannot be completely replaced by e-books. The integration of traditional and modern methods in education needs to be flexible, including guidance and combining various forms of reading materials available today.
With the internet, social media users will never reach the last page of their search for resources or knowledge. The more they search, the more extensive the suggestions become. Reading digital and electronic materials has become a new habit for today's learners. Researcher Do Van Hieu once wrote, “Modern media breaks the solitary state of reading, depriving it of depth. Reading online can create a phenomenon of readers who only gather information, disregarding the essential contemplation and imagination that reading cannot do without. The ever-increasing wealth of electronic media resources gradually transforms readers into mere spectators” (Do Van Hieu, 2021). This is also a major concern in the training of literature disciplines, reflecting worries about the quality of graduates, and a lack of aesthetic competence among literature students. Therefore, in teaching and research, instructors should present updated books that appeal to young people and stimulate students' aesthetic senses. Additionally, encouraging students to write book reviews and share their insights will enhance their literary appreciation and utilization of quality resources.
In research, writers often rely on accurate and reliable sources to support their arguments, but the dependence on internet search results has posed significant challenges to scientific integrity. Not all newly published materials are digitized, and not all in-depth resources are available online, leaving learners lacking essential materials if they solely rely on digital reading. Online resources mostly serve as a repository of general knowledge, offering breadth rather than depth. Therefore, printed materials remain a safe and scientifically sound choice, having undergone a rigorous vetting process before publication. Consequently, the act of reading a physical book provides a sense of assurance, allowing readers to reach the last page, fold the book, and engage in thoughtful contemplation of the values it holds. This precious moment of silence and reflection is something that cannot be attained when constantly engrossed in internet searches for information. As Takashi Saito rightly noted:
“The amount of information available on the Internet is truly staggering. No matter what topic we're interested in, we can search and find an endless amount of information. However, strangely enough, I'm under the impression that people aren't absorbing information to that extent.
[...] It seems that people only scratch the surface, picking up keywords instead of diving into the details” (Takashi Saito, 2021: 13).
From there, in his book "The Untouched Realm of Readers," Takashi Saito suggests that the true achievement of reading lies in its depth. Readers will find depth in their intellectual capacity, knowledge, personality, and life experiences across the eight chapters of the book. Reading also helps individuals avoid becoming ignorant experts.
In addition to great books, educators need to update their materials with information about acclaimed authors and work that have received major awards and professional recognition. The challenge of reading exceptional books also sparks the curiosity and pursuit of literature students. Books that win the Nobel Prize in Literature each year are promptly covered by publishers and the media, ensuring a swift introduction to readers. Literary awards serve as a launching pad for writers and their works, providing a guarantee of aesthetic and literary value, and offering reassurance to readers when selecting and purchasing them.
Lastly, it is important to keep up with best-selling books to gauge the contemporary public's interests. “A best-seller is a ranking based on the sales figures of a book, typically compiled by a newspaper or a publishing association [...]. Nowadays, a work aiming to achieve the best-seller title must sell approximately one million printed copies. In the context of physical books gradually declining due to the onslaught of e-books and internet platforms, these numbers are the result of a well-orchestrated business and marketing strategy” (Phan Tuan Anh, 2020: 66).
The books that achieve best-seller status also wield a certain power, as the success of a book lies in the number of readers it reaches. If readers haven't been exposed to much reading experience, encountering a Nobel laureate author may hinder their appreciation of the work. On the other hand, with a best-selling work, understanding the piece becomes easier and more accessible to the general public or a wider audience. Therefore, in the realm of information and media, updating the curriculum with award-winning or distinguished titles is highly essential in today's literary teaching and learning environment.
In addition to the aforementioned points, integrating digital media into literature instruction encompasses other aspects such as:
Proactively introducing various artistic adaptations and interpretations derived from literary works to students. Literature used to be the dominant form of art, holding the plot when adapted or transformed into other forms such as music, theater, or dance. Nowadays, for literature to thrive, it needs to leverage its influence and no longer remain in isolation. It should stand together with and complement other art forms. Given the technological advancements and better material conditions available to students today, the consumption of audiovisual culture on devices has also captured their attention. Students prefer visual observation, enjoy watching videos, and appreciate the immersive elements of audiovisual culture, rather than solely reading works through textual means. Incorporating theories of adaptation and reinterpretation, along with artistic products as mentioned above, not only fosters enthusiasm for learning but also provides career prospects for literature students in the future.
Introducing reputable websites for creative writing, literary research, and criticism to students is essential. Firstly, there are personal websites and Facebook pages of renowned writers and poets such as Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, Nguyễn Phong Việt, and Miên Di. Secondly, there are specialized websites dedicated to literary research, such as lyluanvanhoc.com, phebinhvanhoc.com, vanvn.net, vhnt.org.vn, and more. Additionally, personal blogs of researchers and writers contribute to bringing literary works and research closer to literature students.
Conclusion
The integration of digital media into literature instruction is not a completely new concept but rather an ongoing effort by instructors and students in this field. To access the knowledge and understanding of the discipline, various methods and approaches have been discussed, aiming to find common ground and practical applications in teaching. Takashi Saito believes that “Knowledge and understanding are a pair. Without knowledge, it is difficult to enhance understanding no matter how much we want to develop it. The relationship lies in the fact that as knowledge increases, the capacity for understanding also improves” (Takashi Saito, 2021: 93). In the evolving landscape of literature, the teaching of subjects in the curriculum aims for this pair with an open-minded and inclusive approach, particularly embracing modern devices and tools for a shorter and more effective path towards success.
Huỳnh Thị Mai Trinh,
Lê Dương Khắc Minh
References
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