The importance of "New Literacies"

 Assignment #1 New Literacies

We currently find ourselves in a world that connected through information that instantly travels throughout the world in a matter of minutes. Our technology capabilities have been explored and are currently being used like no other time in history, and as a consequence we must be able to use the necessary tools to use this technology, but most importantly, to teach our students to be able to navigate and make use of our tools. And thus we find ourselves in historical educational moment when we realize that using technology in the classroom in no longer a “cool or new” way to teach, but rather a necessity and a responsibility for the contemporary educator.

As software and hardware become cheaper and more readily available in homes and classrooms throughout the country, we find that our students using technology and relaying on it form an early age. Not only are students becoming better equipped to use technology but also their younger generations consistently show much interest in the use of technology.  Therefore, an effective teacher should be able and willing to incorporate these tools necessary to engage new generations of students in new literacies that rely on the use of technology. While indeed this effort should be supported and carried out by administrators to entice educators, it is educators who could have the most influence by taking action and finding ways to incorporate technology into their education plans. 

 

Assignment # 2  - Minds-on “New Literacies Definition and Components”

• Which ideas from the video reflect what the ELA teachers you interviewed are currently doing to integrate technology with their literacy instruction?

The teacher that I interviewed is definitely integrating technology in the classroom to get students engaged into technology. However, the teacher is not using it in differentiated ways, to get students searching, evaluating, and even synthesizing information. The teacher relies however, on a platform that evaluates students and engages them in activities that help students practice, test and develop their literacy skills.

• How can you help change their instructional practices to include the use of technology and the Internet in their literacy and content-area curriculum?

By incorporating material into the existing curriculum that relies on activities that use technology and that encourages students to do research, to evaluate and use information. This would definitely be beneficial to learn new platforms, and to teach students valuable information on evaluating material online, but to engage them with an assignment that is of their own interest.

• What professional development and/or resources will they need in order to make these changes?

Teachers must be able to learn how to use/find resources and know how to work in the platform that is going to be used. I am very lucky since my district pays for a professional development site that has pretty much anything you need. It is called Atomic Learning. Here, we get very detailed information and step-by-step guidance on most Internet platforms. If that were not available (since it is a paid service) I would recommend Youtube tutorials (there are thousands there as well).

• What ideas do you have for grouping students so they will have equal access to technology in the classroom?

In my school we have plenty of resources, therefore we are fortunate enough to be able to have enough computer for every student when a project comes. However, we must plan ahead to reserve the computer carts and we often will pair students to get them engaged and to have them experience and collaborate with a peer.