In my previous blog, I briefly mentioned a few questions dealing with literacy. Within this blog I would like to focus more in depth on one of those questions. The question I want to specifically focus on is, “What is literacy, as it pertains to technology?” I realize I have not made my intentions known in my previous blogs, however what I am trying to do is discuss technology guidelines (See “How much do you know about Technology Guidelines” blog), literacy in its entirety, and show how tech and literacy can complement each other if used effectively for classroom instruction. With this in mind, I hope this gives a better picture for the direction this blog is going.
When an individual thinks of literacy they probably immediately think reading, but literacy encompasses so much more. Stick with me for a minute here. Reading is a major aspect of literacy, but being literate in something does not just mean being able to read. Literacy includes being knowledgeable on a concept or topic. According to the website 21st Century Schools, teachers should be literate in a variety of literacies to teach students to be successful in the current 21st century society. Here is a link (Multiple Literacies) to a graphic that lists the different literacies students should be learning. The literacy from the graphic I want to focus on is technology/media literacy. In order to be successful using technology in the classroom teachers must be literate in all the different tech that is available to them. Being literate in technology does not mean that a teacher must know every piece of tech on the market that can be used in the classroom. However, it does mean knowing how to access certain technology tools to add to a teacher’s repertoire of instructional strategies. In other words, teachers need to research and learn about media and decide which pieces of tech they are comfortable including into their classroom instruction to assist students in getting that instrumental experience with technology that will prepare students for their role in a tech savvy, globalized world. With this in mind, I would like to discuss the following website that is extremely detailed in technology/media literacies and puts the most current Web 2.0 tools at a teachers fingertips to research and incorporate into their instruction - http://www.protopage.com/web2point0forteachers.
Kim Peacock developed the above listed website, and within it is a wealth of resources. She has created a toolbar at the top of her homepage that links technology/media literacy tools (Web 2.0 tools) by categories. Just to name a few of her categories/tags/links include research tools, technology tools, productivity tools, software, text based communication, among many others. By clicking on one of these categories a teacher is taken to new webpage where a multitude of Web 2.0 tools are listed that can be used for instruction for that particular category. For example, if one were to click on the text based communication category they would see on the new webpage organized boxes by categories such as blogging tools, social networking tools, wiki tools, etc. Within these categorized boxes (e.g. blogging tools, wiki tools, etc.) are listed and linked, specific Web 2.0 tools that can be utilized for their explicit topic. Therefore, a teacher just has to research and choose which Web 2.0 tool he or she wants to incorporate into their instruction, click on it and start setting up the content for their lesson. By utilizing websites such as Protopage teachers can educate his or herself on technology/media literacies, research the Web 2.0 tools that fit their teaching style, and implement the technology into their instruction all in one place.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
How Much Do You Know About Technology Guidelines?
After researching and presenting a twitter list that is directed at providing resources for both technology and literacy I started to feel strongly that having a working knowledge on the background and fundamentals for technology and literacy were necessary to push forward in this learning quest. Developing a twitter list of resources only provided potential guidance; I needed to know how to use the resources and why they were important. I pondered on certain questions that I felt needed answers. These questions were: Are their guiding standards in implementation of technology into the classroom? What is literacy? What is literacy, as it pertains, to technology? How can both technology and literacy be combined to enhance a lesson in any academic discipline? These are all hard questions but viable for any educational professional that is dedicated to teaching in the 21st Century style of instruction. In the remainder of this blog I hope to shed some light on the first question mentioned above and explain why it is absolutely necessary for educational professionals to gain a working knowledge on the basic fundamentals of technology standards and their place in the 21st Century classroom.
In researching an answer for the first question, “Are their guiding standards in implementation of technology into the classroom?” I found a website that explicitly explains technology standards as they are set forth by national goals. I also found information on technology standards for the state of Alabama as this is where I teach, however I know only addressing the Alabama technology guidelines limits the information to just Alabama teachers. Therefore, I present the institution known as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). At ISTE’s website teachers can access the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and examine the current national technology guidelines. There are five overall goals and each goal is broken down into multiple subcategories to narrow the choices in helping teachers know which technology standard would best fit their current lesson. I think that teachers must familiarize his or herself with these standards in order to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of technology and its place in modern education. The biggest challenge for teachers is to find the time to read over these tech standards and brainstorm how they can mold any of these strategies into their instruction helping students gain experience with the tech they will potentially utilize throughout their careers. I highly recommend teachers look at NETS on the ISTE website, and familiarize themselves with the content. The knowledge gained from NETS will make utilizing technology resources, such as the ones found in the twitter list linked in the previous blog, easier to implement into lesson plans. If anyone gets a chance, please, take a look at the following educational website as there are more advantages than just accessing and learning the National Educational Technology Standards.
International Society for Technology in Education
http://www.iste.org/
In researching an answer for the first question, “Are their guiding standards in implementation of technology into the classroom?” I found a website that explicitly explains technology standards as they are set forth by national goals. I also found information on technology standards for the state of Alabama as this is where I teach, however I know only addressing the Alabama technology guidelines limits the information to just Alabama teachers. Therefore, I present the institution known as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). At ISTE’s website teachers can access the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and examine the current national technology guidelines. There are five overall goals and each goal is broken down into multiple subcategories to narrow the choices in helping teachers know which technology standard would best fit their current lesson. I think that teachers must familiarize his or herself with these standards in order to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of technology and its place in modern education. The biggest challenge for teachers is to find the time to read over these tech standards and brainstorm how they can mold any of these strategies into their instruction helping students gain experience with the tech they will potentially utilize throughout their careers. I highly recommend teachers look at NETS on the ISTE website, and familiarize themselves with the content. The knowledge gained from NETS will make utilizing technology resources, such as the ones found in the twitter list linked in the previous blog, easier to implement into lesson plans. If anyone gets a chance, please, take a look at the following educational website as there are more advantages than just accessing and learning the National Educational Technology Standards.
International Society for Technology in Education
http://www.iste.org/
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Technology and Literacy Blog 1
As I venture into this new feat (for me), known as a blog, I have created a twitter list of resources for the topic, “Technology and Literacy.” The list itself is attached at the end of this post. Throughout my research for this list I found that their were many resources out there for technology or literacy, but finding accounts that addressed both were somewhat harder. Within my list I tried to include a variety of accounts that addresses different aspects of the above topic. I searched for accounts in the following order. First, I included accounts that discussed technology and its effects on actual literacy/reading instruction. Second, I sought resources that addressed technology media and its explicit use within the classroom. Lastly, I wanted sources that thoroughly addressed literacy instruction. My purpose was to find accounts that addressed both technology and literacy together, then find resources that taught technology usage, so that ideas could possibly be combined with the last addendum to the list, the literacy instruction. Overall, I feel strongly that the twitter list will help all who are seeking to teach and administer technology utilization into their classroom instruction while divulging potential ideas for literacy education in the process.
Within the configuration of the twitter list I found some accounts to stand out more than others. One of the accounts belongs to Jose Picardo. His twitter account is @josepicardo and he has a website he created called www.boxoftricks.net. Jose is a foreign language teacher in the United Kingdom, and has a masters degree in information and communications technology (ICT). Based on his website he offers invaluable resources for using technology in the instruction of language arts. He provides an alphabetized list of resources on his site of accessible software that can used in education, and details how each piece of software can be used. Additionally, he lists links to blogs and websites he subscribes to in his quest as a lifelong learner. Any educational professional who is looking to access technology for any kind of instruction, including literacy, should start by accessing Jose Picardo’s account and delving through his wealth of resources.
Jose’s account and site are extremely insightful. However, within the twitter list there are many other powerful accounts that will guide educational professionals in their search for technology and literacy implementation. I urge any professionals looking for solid tech and literacy resources to take a look within the linked twitter list. I think you will find yourself following many of these individuals just as I have started doing.
Technology and Literacy Twitter List
Within the configuration of the twitter list I found some accounts to stand out more than others. One of the accounts belongs to Jose Picardo. His twitter account is @josepicardo and he has a website he created called www.boxoftricks.net. Jose is a foreign language teacher in the United Kingdom, and has a masters degree in information and communications technology (ICT). Based on his website he offers invaluable resources for using technology in the instruction of language arts. He provides an alphabetized list of resources on his site of accessible software that can used in education, and details how each piece of software can be used. Additionally, he lists links to blogs and websites he subscribes to in his quest as a lifelong learner. Any educational professional who is looking to access technology for any kind of instruction, including literacy, should start by accessing Jose Picardo’s account and delving through his wealth of resources.
Jose’s account and site are extremely insightful. However, within the twitter list there are many other powerful accounts that will guide educational professionals in their search for technology and literacy implementation. I urge any professionals looking for solid tech and literacy resources to take a look within the linked twitter list. I think you will find yourself following many of these individuals just as I have started doing.
Technology and Literacy Twitter List
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