Week 1 Readings

New Literacies


Like most of you, when I heard the term "new literacy," my mind immediately went to technology (after all, we are taking a course on technology).  As far as a definition goes, it seems that people cannot agree.  I feel that new literacy encompasses the broad spectrum of technology-based reading and writing activites (internet, video games, email, cellphones, etc).  As long as technology keeps changing, then so too will the definition of "new literacy."

It has had a profound impact on our students (How many of you have had students turn in papers containing "text-speak?").  As long as technology keeps changing, so will our teaching practices.  So many of our students know more about computers and the internet than we do (as Lisa mentioned in her blog.  I have had the same student help me with technology issues as well).  How can we possibly keep up?  On the flip side, we do need to educate our students about new literacies, yet how can we do that when we do not have the technology in our classrooms (especially those of us who teach in poorer districts)?  Many of my students do not know how to properly compose an email, while students in my husband's more affluent district continuously correspond with their teachers in this manner.

NETS for Students


NETS for students outlines what students will be expected to be able to do with technology.  It's purpose it to prepare them for the digital 21st century, particularly jobs.  NETS for teachers outlines what we will be expected/required to teach or model for our students when dealing with technology.  I have to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed when reading about NETS in general.  I don't feel like I am prepared to help my students to meet all the demands that will be placed on them without more funding and supplies.  I am not prepared to teach or model many of these things for/to my students since I have not been trained in them.  Quite frankly, the NETS have got me feeling more than a little anxiety.  I am sincerely hoping that this course will help out my mind at ease.

As for incorporating NETS into my classroom, I have already set up and begun to use a blog (kidblog.org) with my enrichment students.  They are currently reading two different books and blog each day regarding their thoughts or in response to a question I have posted on my own blog.  I have to say that the kids are really excited about using it.  At first, they thought the site was lame when I modeled how to use it, but once they were able to try it out, they went wild.  I am actually rather in love with the site as well, as it lets me as the administrator preview their posts and comments and then approve them before their fellow students can read them.  I have already caught a few comments that needed to be removed as they were not pertinent to the conversation.

I have also shown my students how to create a power point presentation and will be teaching them how to research a topic on the internet.  Not only will they have to research, but they will also have to be able to determine whether or not the site is a reliable one.

I am looking forward to learning new ways to incorporate new literacies into my classroom.  ^_^