Article Response
With “increasing dependence on digital reading and writing
for professional, community, and household purposes, the reading and writing
instruction common to most classrooms may be inadequate to prepare students for
a wide range of reading and writing purposes” (as cited in Carey, p. 4). I found this statement very
concerning. When you think about it,
outside of school and the teaching profession, there are very few times bosses
will ask you to read and analyze a textbook or novel. However, most jobs will require you to read,
comprehend, and respond to email and text messages. While reading skills are important, we as teachers
need to look beyond the traditional text book and focus on teaching students to
read and evaluate all types of text, digital as well as print, so that our students may find success as they enter their communities and the workforce.
The following video recommends four ways (classroom website, online collaboration, virtual field trips, and digital storytelling) teachers may incorporate new literacies in their existing classroom curriculum. My favorite part about this video was that it held students accountable for their learning. It is the students, not the teacher, who manage the classroom website. Within the website, students create a weekly blog to update their parents and peers about what they have done in class, manage upcoming events and assignments through the use of an online calendar, and much more!
How can instant messaging support reading and writing in school?
In elementary school, instant messaging may be used as a
collaborative tool for class discussions.
Instant messaging tools may provide students more opportunities to share
their ideas and opinions (Carey, n.d.), as well as encourage reluctant students to
participate by removing them from the “spotlight.”
How did your attitudes and beliefs about the value of instant message as a result of reading the research on instant messaging as a literacy practice?
I am still hesitant on using instant messaging in my
classroom. While I believe instant
messages have the potential to be effective collaborative and instructional
tools, I am concerned that their usage would be difficult to monitor. If I were able to find an instant messenger
that would allow me to monitor my students’ conversations, I would consider
implementing this tool. Until then, I
feel safer using blogs for my students’ online communication.
Resources
Carey, J. (n.d.) Instant messaging: Literacy Event. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6DFAmexYq7vYWdXV2RacF9EVXc/edit
Reynolds, J. (2011, June 11). Technology in the 21st century classroom: New literacy. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ9pjyBrCS0
Reynolds, J. (2011, June 11). Technology in the 21st century classroom: New literacy. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ9pjyBrCS0
I like how you mentioned that Instant Messaging is a way to "encourage reluctant students to participate by removing them from the “spotlight.”"
ReplyDeleteInstant messaging is a great way for everyone to take a turn a sharing their opinions.
I like that the video holds students responsible for their learning. What a great idea to have the students update the website to keep their parents and peers informed about what is happening in the class. That allows for the students to think about what's really important to include, which (I'm guessing) is what's important for the students to remember from the lessons.
ReplyDeleteYour video is an excellent example of a New Literacies Classroom! Especially because students are expected to be creators of information and to communicate that information to an audience outside the classroom! This video can serve as inspiration for your next assignment which is to create a WebQuest that supports a New Literacies Classroom!
ReplyDelete