Blog Entry #1: New Literacies

I think that it is absolutely critical that we teach our students using these "new literacies.  Our students are growing up in a much different world that we did.  I don't know how many times I have heard someone say they have seen a toddler or young child using a phone or tablet with ease.  Technological advances have made it so these devices are everywhere in their environment.  As our students grow into adults we want to be sure they are well prepared for the career they choose.  Most jobs today require employees to use computer or technology skills of some sort.  As educators we can help to prepare them for their future endeavors.  We want to be able to expose our students to the wonderful potential that technology offers, while also teaching students to be aware and cautious of them as well.  

In my kindergarten classroom I am able to use many different websites and to help students learn.  We can use PowerPoint slides to guide us through our morning meeting and check out the local weather forecast on kidsweatherreport.com. We can listen to celebrities read books on StorylineOnline.net, sing a song with Jack Hartmann on YouTube.com, and watch an educational video on jr.brainpop.com.  There are so many other positive experiences with technology that students experience each day in the classroom.  These interactions even at an early age will help students learn and grow.

There definitely can be obstacles when it comes to teaching "new literacies" in the classroom.  First, classroom teachers are going to likely have different experiences and comfort levels with technology.  I remember a former coworker, who has since retired, constantly expressing her frustrations and stresses with technology resources that our school provided for us.  She grew up in a different generation and is having to learn these new tools at a much older age.  It was difficult and confusing to her.  She was a slower at typing, so it took her longer to send emails or messages.  She had difficulty figuring out our classroom projectors if there was a glitch or something went wrong.  With some teachers feeling less comfortable with technology, it can mean that students will have different experiences with technology in the classroom.

Another obstacle would be the resources that are provided within a school.  Students attending a school in a more affluent community may have more access to technology than students in a low income school.  Some schools and districts may place a higher value on having these materials at their school.  This inequity would create another obstacle for students and teachers.  

Finally, as an educator I am curious how serious students would be with internet safety.  I think it is important for educators to share with students some of the downsides to media and technology.  (Age appropriate, of course!)  As adults we have seen or heard about some of the negative aspects of the internet.  I have kindergarten and first grade students who have created YouTube channels and post videos publicly.  I see my 5 year old niece taking selfies and recording videos of herself talking in a vlog type format.  I think it is imperative that students learn about internet safety, and why it is so important.  There are ways in which this information can be shared with students in an age appropriate way.  Knowledge is power, but I worry that kids can be naïve and have a difficult time understanding its importance.