M2 Blog 2
This week's readings sparked reflection on how the digital advances create new practices, literacies, and contexts. Teaching isn't static anymore, it's evolving right alongside technology. As an elementary educator, I stand before my students each day and feel that dual responsibility weighing on my shoulders. I feel obligated to teach both curriculum content and essential life skills my students will need throughout their education.
While reading thru the Digital Literacy article (Vanek, 2019) it struck me that I am responsible for making sure my students gain the skills and the knowledge on the proper ways to use technology, find information, and how to use it all. When my students are doing their research unit we are teaching them to find information on certain apps/websites, but what we should also include is how to make sure the information that they are looking at is reputable and from a trusted source. I know that this year I would like to integrate more of a paper approach to their research by bringing them to the library, so that both avenues are available (paper and digital). Students need more than just tech skills to handle today's digital world. Even though students learn how to use touchscreens and other technology early, they also need to know how to think critically about all the information and media they encounter online.
When reading thru the Literacy Leadership Brief (2018), what caught my attention most is how teachers are trying to find the balance between digital and paper. Cell phones in schools have become a hot button issue recently, my district included. I feel cell phones in the classroom is a double-edged sword. They can be great for gathering quick information, but they can also be used negatively towards others. Many students choose not to speak much throughout the day and can simply just text each other. I truly believe that this has caused a negative impact on communication because many people are losing the skills to speak to and in front of others. I know that with this cell phone ban in schools during lunch and free periods many students are starting to interact more with each other, and this is helping them figure out how to appropriately communicate with someone, i.e. eye contact, and this is an important skill to have as they move forward. At the same time with this restriction comes a few losses as well. My daughter is a sophomore and has dyslexia, so during her free periods she would listen to books on her phone, as of right now there is no work around for her as her laptop cannot access the sites that she uses. (Our district has also banned YouTube on student devices). As a teacher in younger grades cell phones are not much of an issue but we do use a lot of technology. In our district we use Seesaw and iReady primarily. Seesaw is nice because students can interact with each other's work as well as parents. I know that as I introduce the app I also introduce the expectations for commenting on another students work. I also moderate the comments and can intervene when necessary, although I haven't as of yet.
Without even thinking about it digital literacy has become an integral part of our everyday lives. As our students grow so does their technological knowledge and with this comes our responsibility along with parents to educate them on proper usage and to guide them on their digital journey. Yet amid this evolution it is our responsibility as educators to keep exposing our students to the paper aspect of reading and writing. We must continue to place real books in their hands and pencils to paper, preserving the essence of literacy. There can be something said about putting pen to paper or cracking open a new book.
International Literacy Association. (2018). Improving Digital Practices for Literacy, Learning, and Justice: More Than Just Tools. Retrieved from: https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/ila-improving-digital-practices-literacy-learning-justice.pdf
Vanek, J. (2019) Digital Literacy. Retrieved from: https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/TSTMDigitalLiteracyBrief-508.pdf
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI resonate with what you mentioned initially about feeling the weight of obligation to teach your students essential life skills that they will need throughout their education. As a high school teacher, I feel obligated to teach my students things that will not only prepare them for college but life!
I agree that cell phones have become quite controversial recently. For years I was trying to find a balance. Teaching my students how to use them as tools in the classroom, and teaching them self control. I would always repeat, "theres a time and a place for your phone!" and would set clear boundaries on when to use them and when to not, as well as how! Now, things have changed because my school is also participating in the cell phone ban. Now, I am trying to familiarize myself with the chrome books my students are provided with to supplement all the phone usage I integrated into my curriculum. You mentioned your daughter has dyslexia, and I do feel like students' that used their phone as a tool to help them, should be considered. Perhaps the use of phones will be included in IEP's in the future! I do feel like there is a huge learning curve with this recent ban, and I am looking forward to seeing the accommodations that come from it, as well as the positives! I also have noticed an increased amount of students being more social during free periods and involved in classroom activities.
I agree, that without noticing, digital literacy is a huge part of schooling. I was very surprised to see how much I already was exposed to and integrated into my work. I also enjoy what you wrote about "preserving the essence of literacy". I always prided myself in being a pen and paper kind of person, and I feel there is something more authentic about it! I personally struggle to retain information that I read on a screen, and always print things that I need to read. Turning the page, highlighting and annotating... it helps me! However, I do feel it is normal to have preferences, and I know I have students who prefer to read articles on their computers. We all learn differently after all! Perhaps providing the option of both is best?
Thank you for sharing that meme as well! That made me laugh!