I can't believe this is the last class! The semester has just flown by. The last few weeks have been really interesting as we have gone deeper with the new literacies in technology. I wish we could have a few more weeks to continue this part of the conversation we've had all semester.
The articles this week were very interesting and I could find myself relating to this a bit more. Being that I live daily in these types of activities, (blogs, online communities, etc.) I find it wonderful that researchers are taking a serious look at how they influence lives.
The blogging article was interesting. One thought I had while reading was about Rosie O'Donnell's blog. Her latest video entry talked about the best blogger awards. She was discussing how she wanted to win the award for the best blog. How interesting that our awards are moving with the trends of our communication.
The Smart Mobs article was also interesting. While reading about all these fascinating programs going on around the world, I thought of the recent Virginia Tech shootings. I remember watching the video on TV that had been recorded on a student's cell phone. This short video from this cell phone gave the world in inside look to the terror that occurred on that campus. This in our hands, instant technology has changed us.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thoughts for April 23
Since I'm writing this after we've had class, I want to just think over thoughts from the reading as well as thought from the class. I have to say, my mind is still taking all of this in and I'm not sure if I really know what I think or feel yet.
The New London Group brought up this idea of "new language" in the beginning of the article. I think as educators, this is a good way of thinking of it. We must be aware that new language are popping up every where that influence how we function day to day. If the purpose of education is to prepare students for higher education or for jobs in the work force, we must prepare them for these experiences. In today's world, that means they must know these new literacies or "new languages" that have emerged over the last few decades.
"Students need also to develop the capacity for speak up, to negotiate, and to be able to engage critically with the conditions of their working lives" (p. 13). The part I worry the most with in this statement in the ability to "engage critically." I fear that the high-stakes testing world we live in doesn't prepare students to think critically. Ultimately, I believe this leads us to not properly preparing them for the real work and the work place that lies ahead of them.
I think an important thing that needs to change, but is the hardest thing to change is out mentality. I think we as educators have to change the way we think and trule evaluate our purpose and what we are doing. Of course I do not hold any answers on the best way to do this. I do know what I can do for myself. The first and biggest step I've taken is to be aware. With my new awareness, I have to get out of my own comfort zone and learn some new things. I need to learn and grow with my students. I believe that holds great power.
The New London Group brought up this idea of "new language" in the beginning of the article. I think as educators, this is a good way of thinking of it. We must be aware that new language are popping up every where that influence how we function day to day. If the purpose of education is to prepare students for higher education or for jobs in the work force, we must prepare them for these experiences. In today's world, that means they must know these new literacies or "new languages" that have emerged over the last few decades.
"Students need also to develop the capacity for speak up, to negotiate, and to be able to engage critically with the conditions of their working lives" (p. 13). The part I worry the most with in this statement in the ability to "engage critically." I fear that the high-stakes testing world we live in doesn't prepare students to think critically. Ultimately, I believe this leads us to not properly preparing them for the real work and the work place that lies ahead of them.
I think an important thing that needs to change, but is the hardest thing to change is out mentality. I think we as educators have to change the way we think and trule evaluate our purpose and what we are doing. Of course I do not hold any answers on the best way to do this. I do know what I can do for myself. The first and biggest step I've taken is to be aware. With my new awareness, I have to get out of my own comfort zone and learn some new things. I need to learn and grow with my students. I believe that holds great power.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Thoughts for April 16
I enjoyed these readings. I enjoyed the second reading that was online because I felt it was a good refresher of what we talked about earlier in the semester. It was nice to read it and understand what was being talked about. I even felt myself drawing things from it that I could have used to answer my first question on the mid-term!
Yes there were certain quotes that stood out to me, but there was a common thought I had throughout both readings was about bringing in these new literacies that are literally changing everyday into the classroom. I thought back to a comment that I believe Amy made during a previous class about more experienced teachers having to learn new technologies. I know that many teacher are resistent to these technology changes because of their unfamiliarity with technology. So it caused me to ask a few questions.
I guess the big question is how do we educators keep up with the fast paced changes that are being made with technology? How much of it do we have to know in order to help our students learn and understand these new literacies? Do you have to know a lot or do we just need to have an understanding of how important they are and be able to explain that to our students? I think of myself: I feel I know a good amount about technology and can certainly do what I need to do. But I know that just when I feel like I know what I need to know, ten more things have popped up and I'm behind already. Hence, why I have so many choices for my multiliteracy final activity. So I just wonder how much do I need or have to know in order to help my students?
Anyway, I do like how these readings and this topic got me thinking. I'm looking forward to our conversation about it. Plus, I'm really excited about the project and learning something new. I've started and experienced that fearful feeling of having no idea what I'm doing! I love people who are patient and can explain things clearly!!!
Yes there were certain quotes that stood out to me, but there was a common thought I had throughout both readings was about bringing in these new literacies that are literally changing everyday into the classroom. I thought back to a comment that I believe Amy made during a previous class about more experienced teachers having to learn new technologies. I know that many teacher are resistent to these technology changes because of their unfamiliarity with technology. So it caused me to ask a few questions.
I guess the big question is how do we educators keep up with the fast paced changes that are being made with technology? How much of it do we have to know in order to help our students learn and understand these new literacies? Do you have to know a lot or do we just need to have an understanding of how important they are and be able to explain that to our students? I think of myself: I feel I know a good amount about technology and can certainly do what I need to do. But I know that just when I feel like I know what I need to know, ten more things have popped up and I'm behind already. Hence, why I have so many choices for my multiliteracy final activity. So I just wonder how much do I need or have to know in order to help my students?
Anyway, I do like how these readings and this topic got me thinking. I'm looking forward to our conversation about it. Plus, I'm really excited about the project and learning something new. I've started and experienced that fearful feeling of having no idea what I'm doing! I love people who are patient and can explain things clearly!!!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Thoughts for April 2
These were interesting readings. The online reading completely confused me and frustrated me. I was so afraid I was missing something. I felt so out of control.
As I was reading the article about instant messaging, I kept thinking about how texting on cell phones has started to take the place of some instant messaging. Since the article collected data in the 1990s, I thought of how in the beginning of this new millennium, cell phones have started to take on the role of instant messaging. I think that could be in interesting study.
For me, IM was a critical part of keeping my social circles together. With my friends all over the world, this was so crucial in helping us stay in touch. It truly made the world smaller for our benefit.
In my psycholinguistic class, we conduct classes on an instant message software. I find these synchronous discussions to be interesting. Inconvenient at times, but still interesting.
The powerpoint article was also intriguing. It made me aware of somethings that I had never truly thought about. I think it's interesting to think how this type of tool can shape minds. As a teacher, I used powerpoint with my first graders to provide visual images of what we were studying. During our Ancient Egypt unit, I put together pictures on a powerpoint presentation to help the children see and understand this world we were learning about.
As I was reading the article about instant messaging, I kept thinking about how texting on cell phones has started to take the place of some instant messaging. Since the article collected data in the 1990s, I thought of how in the beginning of this new millennium, cell phones have started to take on the role of instant messaging. I think that could be in interesting study.
For me, IM was a critical part of keeping my social circles together. With my friends all over the world, this was so crucial in helping us stay in touch. It truly made the world smaller for our benefit.
In my psycholinguistic class, we conduct classes on an instant message software. I find these synchronous discussions to be interesting. Inconvenient at times, but still interesting.
The powerpoint article was also intriguing. It made me aware of somethings that I had never truly thought about. I think it's interesting to think how this type of tool can shape minds. As a teacher, I used powerpoint with my first graders to provide visual images of what we were studying. During our Ancient Egypt unit, I put together pictures on a powerpoint presentation to help the children see and understand this world we were learning about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
