"Teachers must bridge the gap between school and society and play some part in the fashioning of those great common purposes which should bind the two together." (Avila & Pandya, 2013, p. 123). This quote strongly suggests that as educators, we need to bridge the gap between what we must teach within our curriculum and what our students are learning on their own time outside of school within the media and new technologies. Students are so in tune with today’s society dealing with the internet and all that it entails, social media via computers and cell phones, text messaging, television, and all that they see in this society. Therefore, as educators, we need to be certain that we are not only involving these within our curriculum, but we are also teaching the safety that they need to keep in mind.
As students progress through this digitized world, they need to realize that the things that they are so accustom to and the things that they spend so much time engulfed in, need a lot of safety skills, as well as critical and analytical skills. As educators, it is our job to make sure that they are properly educated in this manner. “Technology plays an important role, not alone but as a constantly changing set of socially situated tools for literacy, for making sense of the world and ourselves” (Avila & Pandya, 2013, p. 104) I feel that this quote explains that not only are we to teach them the skills they need, we ourselves need to understand how and why we are teaching this. Therefore, we need to dedicate time into learning as much as we can about what our students enjoy the most. If the students enjoy the modes of technology within this digitally changed society, they will learn in this way as well.
To make sure that we incorporate these things into our classroom, we need to make sure that we take into consideration our curriculum. We can use PowerPoints, digital stories, constructing and deconstructing ads, etc. "The tools of digital storytelling, as well as the social relations that this type of activity promoted, provided the space and opportunity for youth to engage in meaningful practices to represent and extend their understandings of complex issues with which they grappled personally and intellectually." (Nixon, 57) As long as our students are extending their understanding and knowing the meaningful practices that are being used, they will grow as an individual, as well as, an academic student.
In closing, I feel that in this day and age, students are so dependent upon technologies that are handed to them, that as educators, we should not turn away from this. We need to embrace the powerful tools that they are utilizing, and use it ourselves. This way we can not only make the students better academically, but they will become digital learners. This will help them in years to come, and in the workplace. Therefore, we need to learn to love the new age, not try to cling to the older practices in which we are used to using.
Sources:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Links:
Digital Storytelling
Critical Thinking on the Internet
The Innovative Educator
Using the Internet
Internet Safety
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Educ 6810 - Reading and Discussion #14
"Students of narrative believe that we formulate notions of ourselves by telling ourselves stories about who we have been in the past and who we want to become in the future."
Hull, G. (2003). At last: Youth culture and digital media. 229-233. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/docview/215345891
I chose this quote because I truly believe it. I feel that telling a narrative like this helped me tell a story about where I have been, what I have been through, and how it has effected me, as well as, where I am now and in the future. I feel that students will feel this same way. Even though they may not have such a long past as some of us in this course, they have so much to look back on as well as looking forward to.
Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&biw=1280&bih=618&tbm=isch&tbnid=XqL_Ib1VzEHRlM:&imgrefurl=http://www.susangaddis.net/2011/10/how-to-live-free-of-your-past/holy-in-the-daily-past-present-and-future-signs/&docid=FK98YsCXDTukYM&imgurl=http://www.susangaddis.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Holy-in-the-Daily-Past-Present-and-Future-signs-.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=e_6YUtaBBs7eoAS_koDQBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=179&tbnw=239&start=10&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:27,s:0&tx=110.4000244140625&ty=82.80001831054687
I chose this picture because it shows that we are coming from our past, learning in our present, and then moving on into our future. I feel that this was great for this quote.
1. How does digital storytelling support academic literacies?
Digital storytelling supports academic literacies in so many ways. English is one of the most prominent. There is a lot of writing going on while making a digital story. There may be stories read aloud, however, it is still written at some point. Also, there are many things that are typed and the viewer has to read the text. It is also problem solving. The author has to think of the problem or the story that they are going to discuss and then decide how to put it all together.
2. Now that you have created your own digital story, do you think that using images, words and music to create a message is simplistic compared to traditional alphabetic print based argumentation?
Absolutely. I feel that the entire process is a powerful message to people. Most people that make these stories using images, words, music, and voice to tell their stories are telling these stories from the heart. Therefore, they are creating a masterpiece. It is much better than a traditional alphabetic print because someone can watch this powerful piece as opposed to being forced to read a long drawn out piece of work.
3. After creating your own digital story, do you see how digital storytelling can help develop a stronger sense of agency in their own lives? Do you think this might have a positive impact on students academic lives? How? Why?
Yes. I feel that after creating my digital story, I now feel that it can help develop a stronger sense of agency in one's life. Also, it has a positive impact on students in their academic life. By utilizing this technology it is not only a way to learn how to use the computer program, it can actually be a fun assignment. I know that I always enjoy making assignments like this. Once again, it is helping the students in their English Language Arts skills as well as problem solving skills. This is a great project for developing agency and academic skills.
Hull, G. (2003). At last: Youth culture and digital media. 229-233. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/docview/215345891
I chose this quote because I truly believe it. I feel that telling a narrative like this helped me tell a story about where I have been, what I have been through, and how it has effected me, as well as, where I am now and in the future. I feel that students will feel this same way. Even though they may not have such a long past as some of us in this course, they have so much to look back on as well as looking forward to.
Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&biw=1280&bih=618&tbm=isch&tbnid=XqL_Ib1VzEHRlM:&imgrefurl=http://www.susangaddis.net/2011/10/how-to-live-free-of-your-past/holy-in-the-daily-past-present-and-future-signs/&docid=FK98YsCXDTukYM&imgurl=http://www.susangaddis.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Holy-in-the-Daily-Past-Present-and-Future-signs-.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=e_6YUtaBBs7eoAS_koDQBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=179&tbnw=239&start=10&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:27,s:0&tx=110.4000244140625&ty=82.80001831054687
I chose this picture because it shows that we are coming from our past, learning in our present, and then moving on into our future. I feel that this was great for this quote.
1. How does digital storytelling support academic literacies?
Digital storytelling supports academic literacies in so many ways. English is one of the most prominent. There is a lot of writing going on while making a digital story. There may be stories read aloud, however, it is still written at some point. Also, there are many things that are typed and the viewer has to read the text. It is also problem solving. The author has to think of the problem or the story that they are going to discuss and then decide how to put it all together.
2. Now that you have created your own digital story, do you think that using images, words and music to create a message is simplistic compared to traditional alphabetic print based argumentation?
Absolutely. I feel that the entire process is a powerful message to people. Most people that make these stories using images, words, music, and voice to tell their stories are telling these stories from the heart. Therefore, they are creating a masterpiece. It is much better than a traditional alphabetic print because someone can watch this powerful piece as opposed to being forced to read a long drawn out piece of work.
3. After creating your own digital story, do you see how digital storytelling can help develop a stronger sense of agency in their own lives? Do you think this might have a positive impact on students academic lives? How? Why?
Yes. I feel that after creating my digital story, I now feel that it can help develop a stronger sense of agency in one's life. Also, it has a positive impact on students in their academic life. By utilizing this technology it is not only a way to learn how to use the computer program, it can actually be a fun assignment. I know that I always enjoy making assignments like this. Once again, it is helping the students in their English Language Arts skills as well as problem solving skills. This is a great project for developing agency and academic skills.
Educ 6810 - Reading and Discussion Week 13
"Keeping in mind the focus of technology integration within pre-service experiences, we begin with professional contexts, environments, and processes. Using technology for professional purposes, such as teaching within a subject area requires content-specialized knowledge." (pg. 136, Avila & Pandya)
I chose this quotes because I feel that it is true. I feel that this class has prepared me to utilize technology in my classroom. I feel that this can be considered my content-specialized knowledge. I have a specialization in mathematics; therefore, I not only need the knowledge to teach my students the basics and the concepts of mathematics, I need to be teaching them the technology skills and literacy skills to utilize technology within the math classroom.
Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&biw=1280&bih=618&tbm=isch&tbnid=aVbP09sP8lGO2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.usm.edu/thinkcenter/technology-in-the-classroom-does-it-belong/&docid=kFw9OclQXbY4gM&imgurl=http://www.usm.edu/thinkcenter/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cartoon...outdated_technology.jpg&w=328&h=260&ei=yvmYUtaWEov7oATYpYDgAw&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:13,s:0,i:141&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=181&tbnw=228&start=10&ndsp=20&tx=117.20001220703125&ty=89
I chose this picture because it shows that students in this day and age make sure that they are involved with technology. They also want to be sure that they are being taught with the knew technology by their teachers. Therefore, they want to make sure their teachers are in touch with the digital literacies.
1. Why do the authors of this chapter chose to use the term "critical digital literacies" rather than just "digital literacies"?
I chose this quotes because I feel that it is true. I feel that this class has prepared me to utilize technology in my classroom. I feel that this can be considered my content-specialized knowledge. I have a specialization in mathematics; therefore, I not only need the knowledge to teach my students the basics and the concepts of mathematics, I need to be teaching them the technology skills and literacy skills to utilize technology within the math classroom.
Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&biw=1280&bih=618&tbm=isch&tbnid=aVbP09sP8lGO2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.usm.edu/thinkcenter/technology-in-the-classroom-does-it-belong/&docid=kFw9OclQXbY4gM&imgurl=http://www.usm.edu/thinkcenter/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cartoon...outdated_technology.jpg&w=328&h=260&ei=yvmYUtaWEov7oATYpYDgAw&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:13,s:0,i:141&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=181&tbnw=228&start=10&ndsp=20&tx=117.20001220703125&ty=89
I chose this picture because it shows that students in this day and age make sure that they are involved with technology. They also want to be sure that they are being taught with the knew technology by their teachers. Therefore, they want to make sure their teachers are in touch with the digital literacies.
1. Why do the authors of this chapter chose to use the term "critical digital literacies" rather than just "digital literacies"?
I feel that they used the term "critical digital literacies" rather than "digital literacies" because digital literacy is such a broad term. It is much more than just the skills you need to be literate with technology. One needs the critical and analytic skills to be digitally literate. Therefore, the authors used the term "critical digital literacies" to motivate those to be critical and analytic.
2. How well did our own teacher education program prepare you to use technology in your teaching practices? Was it more tools based or literacy based?
3. What should teachers be thinking about when they engage in critical thinking as it relates to technology use in school?
4. On page 149, it is stated that students have certain rights with respect to "critical digital literacies." Do students in your teaching context have these rights? Give an example or non-example of at least one of these rights.
2. How well did our own teacher education program prepare you to use technology in your teaching practices? Was it more tools based or literacy based?
I feel that I was as prepared as I could be. I was able to utilize SMART boards, digital tools, and create many lessons based on using technology. I feel; however, that it was both tools based and literacy based at FSU.
3. What should teachers be thinking about when they engage in critical thinking as it relates to technology use in school?
They need to think about being reflective, critical, and analytic. For me, I feel that I need to make sure I am correctly educating my students about technology and the correct ways in which they need to utilize it.
4. On page 149, it is stated that students have certain rights with respect to "critical digital literacies." Do students in your teaching context have these rights? Give an example or non-example of at least one of these rights.
Yes, my students have these rights. Students are able to use the computer lab for all subjects. We also have mobile labs that move from classroom to classroom for other subjects. There is a computer class that allows students to learn about programs and typing. We also need to conduct Tech Steps for them to apply the skills they learn in computer class.
Source:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.Sunday, November 10, 2013
Educ 6810 - Reading and Discussion #12
"Teachers must bridge the gap between school and society and play some part in the fashioning of those great common purposes which should bind the two together." (Avila & Pandya, 2013, p. 123).
1. How did the Ask Anansi game support critical literacies?
The students were using clues and working together to come up with a possible solution to the problem. This was using critical literacy skills as well as communication skills. They were also using something other than worksheets and instances in the classroom to better understand.
2. How did the Ask Anansi game support academic literacies?
They were analyzing, supporting, problem solving and working together to come up with content material.
3. How did the Ask Anansi game support digital literacies?
Well, to have digital literacy skills, one needs skills dealing with technology. Therefore, by using their content, they were using iPads to find the answers. This makes it easier for the children to go out into the real world and use the technology used for other things in life.
4. What is meant by the term "reading the word and reading the world and writing the world"? Give an example from the chapter.
This quote really empowers the use of writing skills in the classroom. The students need bring world wide issues into the classroom; however, they need to utilize writing skills. In the reading, the students were asked to write a counter-narrative.
Source:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
I chose this quote because I have used the same wording in many of my posts this semester. I feel that we must close the gap with school and society. It is brutal for students to walk into school and only learn the procedural content of any subject. They need to learn based on real life experience, instances, and stories. Teachers really need to do this with their students to make them aware of their surroundings instead of just the content.
Retrieved from http://cheezburger.com/5814606080
I found this picture to be amusing as well as a great description of this quote. It seems that the squirrel is having difficulty; therefore, he looks like he is struggling. This is the same as teaching and bridging those gaps. There is no easy way - it will take work; however, it is worth the work.
1. How did the Ask Anansi game support critical literacies?
The students were using clues and working together to come up with a possible solution to the problem. This was using critical literacy skills as well as communication skills. They were also using something other than worksheets and instances in the classroom to better understand.
2. How did the Ask Anansi game support academic literacies?
They were analyzing, supporting, problem solving and working together to come up with content material.
3. How did the Ask Anansi game support digital literacies?
Well, to have digital literacy skills, one needs skills dealing with technology. Therefore, by using their content, they were using iPads to find the answers. This makes it easier for the children to go out into the real world and use the technology used for other things in life.
4. What is meant by the term "reading the word and reading the world and writing the world"? Give an example from the chapter.
This quote really empowers the use of writing skills in the classroom. The students need bring world wide issues into the classroom; however, they need to utilize writing skills. In the reading, the students were asked to write a counter-narrative.
Source:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Educ 6810 - Addressing the seven Elements of Digital Storytelling
Point of View - My point of view is first person. I am going to be telling the story to an audience who has the same feelings of appreciating things more now than as a child.
Dramatic Question - My Dramatic question is going to be along the lines of ... Have you ever taken anything for granted? I have never taken my family for granted; however, I feel like I appreciate all the time I spent with them more now as an adult than I did when I was actually spending time with them.
Emotional Content - The emotional content is going to be how much I adore my family and how I wish that I could somehow relive all the Christmas Eve's and Christmas's with them just one more time. I know that this will tug on heart strings of people that have lost members of the family, people that have grown apart with family members, or people that just simply cannot see the members of their family as much as they used to.
Voice - I will be talking through the whole thing. I may have some music in the background.
Storyboard
Dramatic Question - My Dramatic question is going to be along the lines of ... Have you ever taken anything for granted? I have never taken my family for granted; however, I feel like I appreciate all the time I spent with them more now as an adult than I did when I was actually spending time with them.
Emotional Content - The emotional content is going to be how much I adore my family and how I wish that I could somehow relive all the Christmas Eve's and Christmas's with them just one more time. I know that this will tug on heart strings of people that have lost members of the family, people that have grown apart with family members, or people that just simply cannot see the members of their family as much as they used to.
Voice - I will be talking through the whole thing. I may have some music in the background.
Storyboard
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Educ 6810 - Reading and Discussion 11
“Technology plays an important role, not alone but as a constantly changing set of socially situated tools for literacy, for making sense of the world and ourselves” (p. 104)
I chose this quote because I truly believe it. I grew up in a world where technology was just making it's way to us. Therefore, I lived a childhood without computer aged social settings. I used to use the house phone with a cord connected to it. This is now almost unheard of. I used to call my friends and play outside with them. Now - kids are online talking, tweeting, instgramming, and doing no outdoors play. It is a great tool; however, it has definitely changed socially. We can now communicate with people all around the world. It is a great tool with so many benefits; however, there are some down falls for children.
I chose this image because it is literally exactly what we are saying here in this post. Digital technology has become such a change for social needs. It is always a great thing to become a much more social world. We can communicate with anyone in the state, country, and the whole world. It is a great social change for us.
1. What is the difference between an "essentialist" "traditionalist" or "autonomous" "perspective of technology and literacy and a New Literacy Studies of "ideological"perspective on technology and literacy? Which perspective do you adhere to? Why?
Essentialist is all about the ability of using technology, not in the way that it is used. Ideological perspective is about the abilities in which the social aspect is used. The social life is affected with the ideological side is used. I am all about the essentialist perspective. I adhere to this because we need to be able to use the abilities to use technology. I feel that literacy is made through the surroundings and families of people - not having it already.
2. Give three concrete examples of how the teacher in the chapter supported "new literacy" or "critical digital literacies" practices with blogging.
2. Give three concrete examples of how the teacher in the chapter supported "new literacy" or "critical digital literacies" practices with blogging.
The teacher used blogging to let her students post pictures for feedback. This allows the students to post comments, and they can use it for their own work. She uses quotes that inspire her, in hopes that she inspires her students. She also wants the students to stay organized, which is a great set of skills for students to have. She also supported the new literacy ways because she actively posts and expects her students to post as well.
Source:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
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