Hi all! Sorry it has taken me a sec but I have been thinking of you all.
My blogging experiences are under 10 blogs. I took one class where we had to make 3 posts and then respond to two class mates and to responses that we received. So if anyone finds me making any blunders please just let me know.
I love the term mentioned in the "on-line writing" article "digital fluency". Every class that I have taken in this program has contributed to my digital literacy!
I also like the idea of having a less formal (traditional) environment to interact with each other in (and practice in for our future students).
This article touched on an issue that I can relate to in that we must remember that for some students their only access to some technologies will be in the school and that we are obligated to expose them and make sure that they are fluent in the uses to the best of the students abilities. For me, I know that I would probably never have learned how to blog or interact within virtual classrooms without the prompting of my educational experiences.
"for some students their only access to some technologies will be in the school"
ReplyDeleteThis is a good point. I'm not sold on all of the literacy benefits of extensive blogging in class, but I do appreciate the practical elements.
Here's a question for you. Should we minimize handwriting instruction (of which there's not much anyway) and maximize typing instruction so that kids can take advantage of these technologies? If kids are more comfortable in digital environments, wouldn't they need to learn to type at a younger age than most do now in order to keep frustration low?
ReplyDeleteJust a thought. You know I type a lot faster than I write, but I personally feel like writing is still important. I've just been wondering about this with all the posts about how great digital media are.
I can relate to your comment regarding taking the virtual plunge. I had a computer class that required us to design a website and an English class that prompted us to investigate "Deep Communities" (Online social networking) so I joineed Facebook. While they were good experiances for developing digital literacy, and I have a beautifully designed web site, I no longer use. ---Behind the times, but picking up steam.
ReplyDeleteHi Patti,
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that we should focus on typing any more that what seems to be currently being taught. Both of my children were typing (beining) in kondergarten. I think that it is just one of those developmental things. How can they type much more than they read or spell? I thnk that for some the paper and pencil can also be stimulating for the thinking process. It is for me anyway, but that maybe a taught reaction. I think that both are necessary skills to develop and require different skills to utilize.
Hmmm that's a good point that Patti brought up. I probably would be able to type faster if I would have been taught at a younger age. But, that is with most things. The younger you are, the easier it is to learn something new...such as with learning a musical instrument or a foreign language. But, we have priorities as teachers. For instance, I would rather spend the majority of my instruction on something that the kids would not find necessarily at home. Yes, computers are important and not every family has one, but we can say the same about cars. We will always be driving cars in the future, yet some families have to walk, bike, or take the bus. So the same can be said about computers. Yes, we will use them for personal and professional purposes in the future, but I believe that people can still function well in life without being digitally literate.
ReplyDeleteKristen,
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy of a car. However, I do not agree that people can function well in the worl today without being digitally literate. even if I look back over my college career the use of technology and all of its resources has increased so much I am not even sure how to quanify it!!! An example... Whe I began taking classes in high school having a type writter with a built in word processor was a big deal!!! First on line class... We had it all on a floppy disk (no CD, or zip drives yet) and we mailed it in at the end of the semester and/or e-mailed assignments. Even if an individual does not choose academia many job listings are entirely electronic. Even waiting tables at most restaurants requires some basic data entry skills anymore. I wholeheartedly agree that many can and do live with out cars. Our society has created mass public transportation for families who choose this option. However, I think that computer skills is something that we are obligated to expose and teach to our students within the realm of school because it may be the only place where they will gain exposure.