Hypertext Definitions	Hypertext History	Hypertext Literature	Hypertext Courses

As we move into the information age, computer technology, more specifically, electronic text, has become an integral part of everyday life, and has impacted our definition of literacy. Redefining literacy is now the challenge that faces researchers in the field of education.

This new genre of literacy, electronic literacy, has been referred to by Gregory Ulmer as "electracy." He states:

Literacy is an apparatus (a social machine) constituted by the interactions among the technologies of writing, the institutional practices of schooling, and the formation of human identity in terms of individual selfhood. "Electracy" is a neologism being used to designate a new apparatus emerging within literacy and that promises to transform all the features of the established apparatus.

In order to fully comprehend this definition of electronic literacy, one needs to consult such scholars as Vannevar Bush , Theodore Nelson, George Landow, Jay Bolter and others. They all have cited hypertext as the medium which has had a profound effect upon reading, writing and thinking skills. Thus, this new electronic information medium obviously changes our conceptions of literacy.

Its nonlinear presentation with multiple paths of information allows each reader to interact differently with each text. Hypertext also creates a new form of reading and writing environment that supports the development of interactive learning materials, such as children's literature , adult fiction , academic journals, encyclopedias, reference indexes, and other forms of electronic text all linked together through the World Wide Web.

Of course, with this new definition of literacy comes new skills that must be taught. "Electracy" requires that students be proficient at integrating information from a variety of formats (text, audio, graphic, video) and navigating complicated webs of knowledge. Another challenge is to develop "electracy" skills that assure that people will be able to function in an ever-changing electronic society.

This page represents an attempt to redefine literacy, a process that will continue for many years to come.

Hypertext Definitions	Hypertext History	Hypertext Literature	Hypertext Courses

This page has been an ongoing process which began in April of 1997 and which continues to be updated everytime we look at it.