It is becoming increasingly apparent that integrating
technology with literacy is the new
landscape of literacy. In short-the
value ascribed to the changes in literacy are invaluable. How can anyone place a value on
education? This new means of literacy
through technology is the present and the future of education. In reading the initial blogs, it appears that
we are all in agreement that this new means of literacy defines the future of
education. Students without strong
technology skills, even something as basic as keyboard skills, are at a greater
risk of failure.
Last year, the third grade and fifth grade classes at the
school where I work were asked to pilot a mock state exam online. In my previous journal entry, I mentioned that many of the students in the school do not have internet access when they leave the building. Due to this and numerous other factors, the pilot
did not yield positive results. One of
the reasons is that students are not proficient at navigating this online form of literacy and did not have the stamina to read from a computer screen for an extended period of time. Having to partake in a fully
online exam proved to be burdensome for many.
The unfortunate reality for them is that in the future, most exams will
be administered this way. Gillen and Barton assert that, “The use of screens by (young) people, and the implications of
that use for pedagogies as well as for forms of writing, need to be fully
understood” (Gillen and Barton, 7). Fully understanding this also entails knowing
the disparity that exists between districts, cities and states that hinder education. Access to technology, or lack
there of ,does not allow for a level playing field.
I am a proponent of the new and various forms
of literacy and love some of the ideas that were mentioned in the first
journal entries (such as a class blog), but it is also important to take into
account that not all students have the available resources at their
disposal. This being said, it is even
more important to expose children to these forms if literacy in the classroom as often as possible to ensure future success.
References:
Gillen, J., & Barton, D. (2010). Digital literacies. Teaching and Learning Research Programme.1-32.
Absolutely, in today's day-and-age being able to use a computer is critical. The textbook (Lankshear & Knobel, 2011) talked about literacy and illiteracy, and how in today's world, where many employers require individuals to have at least basic understanding of many computer programs (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.), the very definition of literacy and illiteracy have changed. Now, if someone doesn't know how to work a computer, they can be considered illiterate because they would not be able to function enough to obtain many of the jobs that are available in today's market. So it goes without saying that literacy can mean any number of things, now, including online reading and writing skills.
ReplyDeleteLankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2011). Critical Literacy and Active Citizenship (1992/94/97). New York: Peter Lang.
It won't allow me to go back and edit my post, just delete it. But I made a mistake in my citation, so I rewrote the correct reference here.
ReplyDeleteLankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2011). Literacies: Social, Cultural and Historical Perspectives. New York: Peter Lang.
I agree that being able to have the basic technology skills in this day and age is crucial. Much of this burden falls on the school districts themselves. In order for teachers to educate children in technology, the technology needs to be available for use. As school districts budgets are set up now, it can be seemingly impossible to provide schools with the "new" and "up to date" technology every school year. With the way that technology is growing, there is no doubt that reading online will be the new form of literacy. Students need to have the necessary skills and basic understanding of basic forms of technology to stay up to date and to be successful. School districts need to revaluate their distribution of their budget funds in order to meet these demanding needs of students in regards to their access to technology.
ReplyDelete