Week 3: Task #1 - Theory in Practice


Literacy Instruction withDigital and Media Technologies
        Since the emergence of new literacies, technology use inside the school has increased drastically. This is beneficial to the students as it prepares them for life outside of school. The question becomes how do we best integrate technology into daily lessons and how do we assess the use of it. In this fourth grade classroom, the teacher uses technology on a daily basis. Students are exposed to technology at a young age at this school so as they get older the teacher can begin more complicated assignments online. Bringing in technology has led to more creativity for both the student and the teacher. It is also a great motivator for students and though there is no official way to assess new literacies yet, we haven’t seen students regressing in any way.
             
 New Literacies and 21st-CenturyTechnologies Position Statement
            The constant use of ICTs (information and communication technologies) is redefining how we read, write and communicate in the classroom. As educators, we have a responsibility to integrate technology in a way that supports the standards. This integration needs to happen at a young age so that children can participate in harder assignments as they get older. As teachers we also have to make sure that we are up to date on the emerging new literacies as they are constantly changing and improving. It is up to the school district to also make sure that teachers have the support they need in order to successfully and confidently deliver these ICTs.
             
Toward a Theory of New Literacies Emerging from theInternet and Other Information and Communication Technologies
              This article discusses the constant evolution of technology. Because of this constant change, the way that teachers teach literacy also needs to evolve, or co-evolve. Including more technology to enhance the way we teach literacy will better prepare our students for their future careers. It will make them more marketable for a job (and in everyday life) if they are able to use technology to locate information and properly use that information to make decisions. This article also states that when defining new literacies and technology, to not forget about the “old” literacies. Students still need the basic understanding of comprehension, phonemic awareness, the writing process, spelling, etc., to understand new literacies to begin with.

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