Molly Smith
ENC 1102
February 11, 2010
Core 1 Exploring Digital Literacy- a digital analysis
Have you ever wondered what people did without technology? We all would like to think that we aren’t dependent on technology but we are in an age where the answers to our problems are only a few mouse clicks away. According to Selber, “All too often computer technologies are touted as the solution to all our problems, an inclination deeply embedded in American culture” (4).
SELF EVALUATION
Present
This past winter I went camping with my family. The first few days in the wilderness were tranquil. By the third day, I was dying to check my email, go on Facebook, and check the ADPi (my sorority) message board. This showed me how reliant I was on technology.
Play oriented, I’m on Facebook daily. If I’m not around a computer to access it, I use my iPhone. By this I stay connected with my friends. Because of my busy schedule, I don’t have free time to spend playing games on the computer or Xbox. Because of this, when it comes to play oriented technology I am definitely not an expert, however have no desire to be.
Work oriented, I'm familiar with computer programs that I use for school like Aplia (for macroeconomics class) and Math Labs Plus (for all math classes). Before using these programs, a tutorial explains everything, which is very helpful. Other then knowing how to use these programs, not much more is asked of me as a student.
I feel that I am very familiar with the types of technology I use every day, which isn't a wide spectrum by any means. For now, I can easily get by with the set of technological skills I acquire. I feel comfortable but know I will need to broaden my skills for the future
Future
There are many areas I would like to become more technology savvy in. I am currently a social science education major and plan on pursuing a career in education administration. In the classroom, new technology is introduced every day. Many people would argue that too much technology is detrimental to children. However, the transformation into the technological society that we are today provides us with worlds of knowledge in the education aspect. My argument is that students will benefit more in a classroom that offers digital literacy if taught appropriately by skilled teachers. According to Selber, “Computers are indeed a fact of life in educational settings, yet too few teachers are prepared to organize learning environments that integrate technology meaningfully” (1).
DIGITAL LITERACY- IMPORTANCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Students will definitely benefit from having technology in the classroom. According to teacher Judi Heitz, working on the computer engages her students. “They were invested in their work and had fun doing it” (1).Not only does it make if more fun for the students to search the web rather than sit at a desk with an old, torn up textbook, the web has so much more to offer. Authors Olcott and Mahar argue that “Exploring genre digitally offers much more information then print. When searching for specific information on the web, you don’t get just one result. Numerous options are available offering all types of views and ideas on your topic. With print you only get what you have in front of you”.
My first year of high school I attended an older school that did not offer many tools. here were older computers located only in the library, small TV’s in the corner of the classrooms, and a fuzzy intercom system. My next year, a new high school was built. We had at least ten computers in every classroom, projectors that showed film the size of the wall, and mini microphones that the teachers wore around their necks. From my own experience, I enjoyed the learning environment offered in the newer school. For the teachers however, they were forced to transform their teaching styles to a newer age.
Challenges as a future educator
According to Olcott and Mahar, “Teachers need to be sensitive to individual differences regarding out of school access. To avoid inadvertently disadvantaging students who have less exposure to and experience with the internet, teachers should allot additional in class computer time” (11).
Bolter argues that this change from print has redefined the voice and visual space of text. (13) Educators must teach not only how to work these new tools but also the meaning of the text they are accessing. “Simply understanding the mechanics of computing, will not prepare students and teachers for the challenges of literacy in the twenty-first century. (Selber 2)
Teachers should also stress the importance of searching valid websites and finding reliable information. Teaching students to use acceptable databases is fundamental for any student seeking information for projects. Anyone can alter material on certain websites. As a future educator, before using the computer for education purposes I will teach my students the correct way to go about finding reliable websites.
CONCLUSION
Technology in the classroom is very important. Those students who have access to computers have a leg up on students who don’t. Today, most kids are computer experts. Their expertise may even outshine those of their teachers who were taught from print sources only. Because teachers learned differently than their students are now, teachers have a hard time incorporating technology in their curriculum. Based on my analysis of my own technology skills, I would say I have a lot to learn about the computer before being able to teach my students. For students, having access to computers and being taught the right way to use them can be far more beneficial than the standard textbook. In today’s society having technology skills is a must for obtaining a good job and being competitive in the workplace.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Audience Awareness Assignment
Molly Smith
Kelsey Sauer
Februay 3, 2010
Our article, Decisions and Revisions: The Planning Strategies of a Published Writer follows credited author, Donald Murray. His writing process is examined as he is given three different tasks. In stage one, he is writing for his own work. Every minute he spent drafting was recorded through a think aloud protocol. This was an easy task for him. The third stage of examination was easy for him as well. His task was to revise an article for a professional journal. Readers of the professional journal are the typical audience he writes for. It was the second stage where he had trouble getting started. He was given a task which specified audience, subject, and purpose. He was asked to write to readers of Jack and Jill Magazine. The audience of the magazine is young readers, who he is unfamiliar with. He didn’t know where and how to start because his vision of audience was unclear. It was when he remembered the daughter of a man he met the previous night, he was able to in vision his readers and finally get started. Carol Berkenkotter, the author of this article and observer of Murray is proving that without a clear sense of audience, your paper may not be appealing or appropriate. Maintaining audience awareness is crucial when writing.
Kelsey Sauer
Februay 3, 2010
Our article, Decisions and Revisions: The Planning Strategies of a Published Writer follows credited author, Donald Murray. His writing process is examined as he is given three different tasks. In stage one, he is writing for his own work. Every minute he spent drafting was recorded through a think aloud protocol. This was an easy task for him. The third stage of examination was easy for him as well. His task was to revise an article for a professional journal. Readers of the professional journal are the typical audience he writes for. It was the second stage where he had trouble getting started. He was given a task which specified audience, subject, and purpose. He was asked to write to readers of Jack and Jill Magazine. The audience of the magazine is young readers, who he is unfamiliar with. He didn’t know where and how to start because his vision of audience was unclear. It was when he remembered the daughter of a man he met the previous night, he was able to in vision his readers and finally get started. Carol Berkenkotter, the author of this article and observer of Murray is proving that without a clear sense of audience, your paper may not be appealing or appropriate. Maintaining audience awareness is crucial when writing.
Monday, February 1, 2010
PART II Core Assignment
Many people would argue that too much technology is detrimental to children. However, the transformation into the technological society that we are today, provides us with worlds of knowledge in the education aspect. I am currently a social science education major and plan on pursuing a career in education administration. In the classroom, new technology is introduced every day. My first year of high school I attended an older school that did not offer many tools. There were older computers located only in the library, small TV’s in the corner of the classrooms, and a fuzzy intercom system. My next year, a new high school was built. We had at least ten computers in every classroom, projectors that showed film the size of the wall, and mini microphones that the teachers wore around their necks. From my own experience, I enjoyed the learning environment offered in the newer school. For the teachers however, they were forced to transform their teaching styles to a newer age.
After doing research, the most common type of technology used in the classroom is the computer. According to teacher Judi Heitz, working on the computer engages her students. “They were invested in their work and had fun doing it” (1). What I would want to learn in order to transfer to my students are reliable search engines that offer valid information.
Other new additions to the classroom are TV remote controls that allow students to punch in answers, iBooks instead of textbooks, and other assistive programs. TextAloud is a new assistive technology that turns text into an easy to export sound file for listening anywhere, whether on a laptop, portable music player, or home PC. In reality, teachers know that all students do not learn at the same pace. This offers students that are visually impaired or dyslexic to integrate into mainstream classrooms (“Assistive” 1). In order to fully take advatage of these accommodations I will need to learn the proper way to work programs like these.
Works Cited
“Assistive Technology Software in the Classroom”. Text Aloud. Communication and Mass Media Complete. 1 February 1 2010. Nextup.com
Heitz, Judi. “Using Computers as a Classroom Tool”. Technology in Education Index. 1 February 2010. Accessexcellence.org/LC/TE/teenergene.php
After doing research, the most common type of technology used in the classroom is the computer. According to teacher Judi Heitz, working on the computer engages her students. “They were invested in their work and had fun doing it” (1). What I would want to learn in order to transfer to my students are reliable search engines that offer valid information.
Other new additions to the classroom are TV remote controls that allow students to punch in answers, iBooks instead of textbooks, and other assistive programs. TextAloud is a new assistive technology that turns text into an easy to export sound file for listening anywhere, whether on a laptop, portable music player, or home PC. In reality, teachers know that all students do not learn at the same pace. This offers students that are visually impaired or dyslexic to integrate into mainstream classrooms (“Assistive” 1). In order to fully take advatage of these accommodations I will need to learn the proper way to work programs like these.
Works Cited
“Assistive Technology Software in the Classroom”. Text Aloud. Communication and Mass Media Complete. 1 February 1 2010. Nextup.com
Heitz, Judi. “Using Computers as a Classroom Tool”. Technology in Education Index. 1 February 2010. Accessexcellence.org/LC/TE/teenergene.php
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