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

Chapter 9 Blog

     There is so much great material/information in chapter 9 of Solomon and Schrum’s (2007) book that I hardly know where to begin. The objective of new schools (21st century schools) is to incorporate technology into teaching and learning. Solomon & Schrum (2007) provide numerous ideas in this chapter to accomplish new school goals. A few of the ideas include implementing a connectivism instructional policy, providing a global central hub of software for teachers to access and choose from to use in their instruction, e-textbooks, online professional development opportunities, among many other ideas. I really like many of these ideas. Everything seems to be pointing to the 21st century schools being digital schools that implement the connectivism teaching approach. Considering students already do so much social networking to socialize I would be interested to see how successful a connectivism teaching approach would be. I also like that I am currently getting experience in this teaching method, and would be able to hopefully swap roles and be the guiding instructor when this connectivism approach finally takes effect.
     My article, linked below, discusses the 21st century schools and its eventual implementation (21st Century Schools ). The article also gives numerous links to tools and information that can guide a teacher through the transition process to using Web 2.0 tools. Much of the article within the link below alludes to technology and literacy within 21st century schools. However, the article definition of literacy is not the typical definition an individual might think of. The old definition of literacy may sound similar to this, “The ability to read and write.” The new definition of literacy encompasses so much more. According to the article there are multiple literacy’s an individual must acknowledge and learn in order to be successful in the modern world (Below is a link to the Multiple Literacy’s the article is referring to Multiple Literacy's ). The main literacy I intend to elaborate on throughout this blog is Media Literacy’s. My goal is to guide teachers in acquiring knowledge about using Web 2.0 tools while educating student’s on the multiple literacy’s, especially Media Literacy’s, listed within the 21st Century Schools article.

21^st Century Schools. (2010). What is 21^st century education?, Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/What_is_21st_Century_Education.htm

Welcome

I just wanted to welcome any and all who view and join this soon to be full of resourceful information blog.