Week 2: Blog over : Knobel, J 1, BABR 1, Reading Today Mandarin art.
As I read the material for the week, I thought about how it applied to my teaching and to education as a whole. One quote stood out to me. In Reading, Writing, and Literacy 2.0 Teaching with Online Texts, Tools, and Resources, K-8, Johnson said, “Literacy changes the way children see themselves-as readers-as members of a different group. Literacy opens the door to the world and has the power to change lives.” I try to be very cognizant of the fact that as educators we hold great power within students lives. We do this in a variety of ways, but the one that applies here, is how we affect how they see themselves as readers and literate individuals in the world. My hope is that all children see the importance of literacy and value it as lifelong learners and readers and as a part of the communities with which they are involved.
The definition of literacy is not static. It continues to change as our world changes. New literacies according to Knobel are ways in which meaning making processes are changing which include technology but not limited to it. Some examples of new literacies are fan fiction, blogging, microblogging (By the way- I didn’t know what this was. I found out it is like a smaller version of a blog. I think it is similar to a tweet.), editing wikis, social networking, etc. New literacies differ from traditional literacy through technology and a different ethos. Along with technology changes, so does the reason that we read and write. This new ethos is more about being a part of a community, having continual feedback, and is less about being a sole author rather than a collaborator. The information found/relayed online is judged not by “experts” but rather by groups who welcome varying opinions. What do you think is a good working definition of new literacies?
Given the nature of new literacies, we need to begin to teach children strategies to make meaning with this new genre. Just as students at the primary level have less experience with informative texts and have to be taught comprehension strategies specific to the genre, so we need to do with digital texts (Johnson, 2014). Multimodal texts require specific ways to analyze the information. It isn’t the traditional linear format of reading but simultaneous. We need to teach students the cuing systems specific to digital settings. Students also have to be taught how to think critically about what they are reading. How would you go about teaching students to think critically about the information they read online?
Also, students need to be taught how to write with a specific audience in mind. MAPS (mode, media, audience. purpose, and situation) used by Troy Hicks seems like a manageable way to go about teaching to write digitally. Johnson discussed the term “connective writing”. Writing in relationship to new literacies is reciprocal. How do you think this component of new literacies effects students who are struggling readers and writers? What would this look like for them?
Given all of the information covered in these reading, I find myself a bit overwhelmed, not is a hopeless way. I just see the magnitude of the task. As teachers, educators, reading specialists, we need to allow new literacies to reconstructs our curriculum and instruction. My hope is to come up with ways to utilize new literacies as a reading specialist and provide teachers with tools they can use in their classrooms to help struggling readers. Right now one of the biggest challenges to this occurring is TIME! I hope to come up with manageable steps to help me in this process. What do you think your biggest challenges are in this process?
Cathy, with regards to the quote you pinpointed I must say that it too stuck out to me. This quote makes me think about literacy as being the foundation of our lives. It is what is needed from the time we are young to when we become adults. Literacy is what we need to become who we want to be and it makes us who me are. Literacy affects us in so many ways, knowingly and unknowingly. In addition, I found in the same book Reading, Writing, and Literacy 2.0 Teaching with Online Texts, Tools, and Resources, K-8, by Denise Johnson another interesting piece of information. On page twelve she discusses how socially children learn in different ways and consequently how this affects their thoughts on reading and literacy. I do agree with the fact that a child’s social context affects their outlook on reading and literacies, whether it be New Literacies or new literacies. No two children encounter the same social environments and as a result it is our responsibility as teachers to ensure that we are able to help each of them, to the best of our ability.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, with the help of all the readings this week I understand new literacies to encompasses the ability to read, write, speak, listen (communicate) through the multimodal way, in that information can not only be read but edited, monitored, and viewed by thousands. As a result we can see this happening with the use of less nonconventional and more of the digital materials which may include screen like devices.
Continuing, in order for my students to think critically about the information they read online I would start with the basics and ask them to ask themselves, the what, when, where, why, and how questions. For example, what am I looking for? How will this information be useful once I have read it? By doing this it will allow them to consciously think about the information they are reading, they will have a purpose.
In addition, I will ask my students to take down notes as they read, make predictions, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers about the information they have read online.
With regards to “cognitive writing” I think this component can be very devastating for students who are struggling readers and writers. As indicated by Johnson “Cognitive capabilities, motivation, knowledge and experiences vary considerably among readers…” (Johnson, 2014). Students engaging in these new literacies who are struggling readers and writers may feel less capable, become increasingly overwhelmed and may want to shy away from the task at hand. These students may also participate less, question less, and have limited ideas and thoughts and as a result produce little writing.
Last, right now I think my biggest challenge is just trying to understand new literacies and thinking about how I can help my struggling readers and writes so when I do implement them in the classroom I can so do effectively.
I'm right there with you! New literacies encompasses so much it seems daunting. Then even when you get a handle on it you feel like how can I accomplish ALL of this. We will get there hopefully together by the end of this course.
DeleteKrystie,
ReplyDeleteI do think struggling readers and writers might also benefit from new literacies in that that could have immediate peer feedback to writing. I do think it would be easy for them to feel overwhelmed. I think we just have to take the time to break it down into measurable chunks.
I think the struggle you mentioned is a struggle we all face. We all want to be effective in the classroom helping children to become literate people and seeing how new literacies plays a part in that.
Great Thoughts!
Yes, indeed Cathy, I agree that the struggling readers and writers might benefit from new literacies and that we as teachers should take the time to break it down into measurable chunks. Finding new, engaging, appropriate and fun ways for these readers and writers should be a main priority for us as teachers. Even though new literacies may, in the initial stages overwhelm struggling readers and writers, I think they will grow and blossom into great readers and writers and only TIME, will tell. :)
DeleteThank you for your response Cathy (y)
I think some may do well having immediate feedback on writing but if they are like me it may discourage them. I hate to write! I always have. Due to this I often like to keep my writing private for awhile and rewrite it several times over. I have learned to use this to get better at writing but think had I been forced to share publicly with peers when I was younger it would have discouraged me in my education.
DeleteTabitha,
DeleteI can understand that. Writing isn't my favorite thing to do either. I think the teacher could help those students with a little extra help up front. Then maybe when their peers see it, they would be more comfortable.
:)
I think new literacies may even be a confidence boost in a struggling reader! I have seen students who struggle tremendously be very savvy when it comes to technology. I recall a student I had at one time who was a struggling reader, but could help me when a student got stuck or received a warning on the computer. I designated him as my "technology expert". He was so proud and I believe that gave him some confidence that aided in this success in other areas!
DeleteVery thoughtful, Krystie and Cathy. Thanks for making those connections. I look forward to reading what the rest of your group has to say.
ReplyDeleteI highlighted the quote, “Literacy changes the way children see themselves-as readers-as members of a different group. Literacy opens the door to the world and has the power to change lives.” too! I actually made a connection between it and a quote on page 13, “To prepare children to successfully interact with digital environments, literacy teachers can do much to scaffold students’ acquisition of the new literacies required o comprehend, compose, and communicate online.” I think both of these struck me because they explain why I am in this class and reading this material. I want to be a good teacher and this means having and knowing the best methods for fostering learning. This is heavily done through the use of technology, not just through using it because its there, but by incorporating it into the way our students learn. Technology is not going away and even my littles in early education are surrounded by it, so I guess I need to learn to absorb it into my philosophy of teaching!
ReplyDeleteI’m trying to think of good strategies to keep New literacies and new literacies straight. I am going to ask Dr.Beach for a clear definition on virtual check in next week too. From what I am comprehending and what I’ve learned in previous courses that touched on the subject, New literacies encompasses all changing literacies. New literacies with a lowercase are the content itself. For example, new literacies may be the use of blogspot as a digital medium for students to communicate and expand of comprehension of learning.
When it comes to the strategies for students to use when reading online I think many of the strategies they are using in conventional reading can transfer over. I think a teacher can teach lessons over digital citizenship that teach students ways to transfer these skills by laying out rules for them to follow when using technology. If you all aren’t familiar with the nine digital citizenship rules, as I just recently learned them, here is a link to review them: http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/ They have a lot of resources to use for lessons that would help in any content area.
I found the MAPS to be an outline that provided a lot of room for differentiation in the classroom. I can see many ways for a teacher to use this for struggling readers as long as they were intentional in their planning and clearly gave the goals for students to follow. Since I have not yet taught in a classroom where reading itself it taught I don’t know how this would work for me yet but I’m excited to hear from you guys about it.
I do feel overwhelmed! As I said I want to be the best teacher I can be and even though the task of compiling all of these things into an already overwhelming reading curriculum scares the crap out of me I have to learn how to do it! It doesn’t help that I am technologically challenged!
Tabitha,I know the feeling when you say that you just want to be the best teacher you can be. I think that this is what we all want and being in this class, in addition to the others we are in, will help us understand what we need to know to foster learning. I think you are on the right track! :)
DeleteTechnology will continue to evolve and as teachers we will have to at least ensure that we know the basics, even though knowing more won't hurt us.:)
I think MAPS is a wonderful concept to help all readers and writers, especially the struggling ones. I'm definitely looking forward to implementing this in my class.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks for the link. I am going to have to check that out later. Thanks for your thought about New Literacies verses new literacies. I think what you said helps me. I also need to ask a bit more about the differences. I may need to make a graphic organizer to help me! HA!
ReplyDeleteCathy and Tabitha, I think we will all are getting to know the differences between New Literacies and new literacies. I started off by saying that NL comes before nl. NL old-----nl new. I will continue to work from this to understand the differences. I hope this makes sense (hides face). :)
DeleteHello, Ladies! I bet you wondered what happened to me! I was sick last week and am now ready to catch up. I am the leader of the next discussion and will be posting tonight. I loved your insights and was amazed how much we think alike. In our text by Denise Johnson, Reading Writing and Literacy 2.0, the story about the little boy who struggled to read and was assisted by a kind teacher is one that is repeated day after day. His self-esteem was affected and anger resulted. The point that the author made about literacy being a life changer is such a true one. If the young boy improves his reading and reads closer to grade level, still he will need to be more literate than just “reading on grade level”. He will need to be literate in technology by the time he grows up. Most families have the internet in their homes and the knowledge base must be much greater. Knowledge will be shared and communicated in a myriad of ways in relation to the advancement of technology. We already have several new words in our vocabulary in response to the evolvement of technology. If one is unsure of this concept, ask the average eight-five year old if they have blogged, tweeted or posted lately. They will probably look at you incredulously.
ReplyDeleteTeachers’ views on literacy is also an indicator of the effectiveness of reading instruction. If a teacher values technology and understands the importance of her students excelling within its context, then instruction will be more explicit and pervasive. New Literacies will be what it takes to function in this new world—this technologically advancing, rapidly-changing world.
Children are digital natives. They do not know a world without technology being at their fingertips at every turn. Twenty-five years ago, it was a real luxury to have a cell phone—I only knew a few people who had those huge things. Now, I feel anxious if I have forgotten mine at home. I often wonder how we survived without them! As a mother of four teenagers, cell phones are my life-lines of communication. How did my mother not chew her nails with anxiety?
What do you think is a good working definition of new literacies?
DeleteThe new literacies are skills, strategies, and dispositions necessary to successfully adapt to the rapidly changing technological world that affect both our professional and personal lives.
How would you go about teaching students to think critically about the information they read online?
I think it’s funny that even my 17 year old child quotes things that she has seen on the internet as fact. I am constantly reminding her that just because she sees something on Facebook, doesn’t make it true! The age level I work with is early childhood, and they have internet access within strict supervisory standards. I often remind students’ that if they have a question, let’s find the answer! The internet is still a wonder to me! With early childhood students, asking them what they already know about a certain topic and helping them walk through the process of evaluating the information and true or false. Helping students know that certain sources are reliable and that they can go to a few reliable sources and not do a blind search at this age is valuable in assisting them in thinking critically about the sources of information they might encounter.
Thanks ladies for the discussion. I"ll address the New Literacies/new literacies piece once I am "out of Africa" which is coming sooner than anticipated. See Week 4 blog. Krystie, NL are new as well, not old....more later.
ReplyDelete