Thoughts on New Literacies...

New literacies encompasses the need for students to have the ability to read, write and participate in the internet.  New literacies are made up of five major components.  These include identify important questions, navigating new information, evaluating the information, synthesizing it and finally communicating answers with others properly.  For students to have success in new literacies they must be able to complete these five "steps".  Navigating the world 

As if there aren't enough demands placed on students and teachers these days now one of the literacies added to our already jam-packed reading and writing curriculum is involving the internet and world wide web into daily instruction.

I already mentioned in my first post I teach at a Museum Academy which focuses a great deal on hands on, project based learning (PBL) that allows students to take control of their own learning. Much of what was discussed in NETS Standards for Students was centered around this idea.  Students are use creativity, innovation, collaboration, communication, problem solving and decision making strategies to name a few. Of course, this is a lot to expect from six year olds. Yet, considering my students are already engaging in much of these activities already I feel they're up for the challenge.  The standards mentioned for students are simply skills that students will need to have the rest of their lives, so in my opinion, why not start practicing them when students are young?

Richardson (2010), states skills such as research, analysis, organization, and synthesis as some of the skills students need to be successful. Being a teacher I have a huge responsibility to provide my students with a safe space to conduct their learning.  I have the opportunity to foster an early love of learning about the world in an interactive manner. The NETS Standards for Teachers state that teachers are facilitating, inspiring and student learning and creativity as well as assess them in their work. I would love to build upon the NETS Standards for Teachers and learn how to assess them using contemporary tools.

One way I could do this is by seamlessly integrating technology and more specifically iPAD use in to our upcoming poetry unit like the teacher did in the iPAD video on the weblog Integrating Technology.  The 1st grade teacher had the students listen to a poem then draw a picture or write on the iPAD what they visualized while listening. This not only allowed students to practice an important skill of visualizing but afforded them the opportunity to be creative and use technology to express their thinking. I would love to do this with my students. Yet, with only two iPADs for my class (and I'm not complaining because I know we are VERY lucky!) and twenty students this is not feasible...any suggestions?

Social Media's Impact on Teaching

Social media is changing the way our society communicates as well as the way we teach our students. I teach 1st grade, so social media has not been a huge aspect in my class this year but I swear the kids know how to use an iPAD just as well as I do and their skills in using this technology is only going to improve as they get older. Richardson had an interesting point that many students capabilities in using new technologies are soon going to surpass those of their teachers. I am a young teacher and consider myself pretty savvy with technology, but I can completely see this happening!

Having a webpage that parents can keep up with and have access to classroom information would be an amazing tool. I am always looking for a quick and easy way to communicate with all my students parents and feel that having a class weblog would be a great solution to this need.  The blog mentioned in Figure 2.4 (Lewis Elementary) seems like a wonderful example of how to integrate all individuals in a school (administration, teachers, students and parents) and allow for all parties to be a part of the learning process.

Richardson mentions many of the positive aspects of using weblogs and I agree with many of them. He says they support constructivist learning because students and teachers are creating the content together. He also says the walls of the classroom are extended to the greater world which is completely accurate. Weblogs also seem to be a helpful tool in documenting kids learning and showcasing their progress not only to the teacher but to the audience of the website. I would love to have a years worth of weblogs to document my students progress and growth throughout 1st grade. Allowing students the experience of using weblogs to showcase their learning is an experience they will always remember and value.

The idea of using webloging and wikis in the classroom makes me really excited but a little dubious at the same time. My kids are six years old, with all the safety concerns and privacy issues that come with the internet I am a little hesitant with starting such an ordeal with them. Obviously Richardson mentions using pseudonyms for students, but I'm wondering if that is enough to keep them "safe" on the internet. I'm questioning how much freedom is possible to give to six year olds on the internet, thoughts?

On that note...on this snowy night I'm dreaming of being here...

Hi! My name is Samantha! I teach a wonderful class of rambunctious first grade students at CREC Museum Academy. Our school is a great place to let the kids express their new learning in creative ways and we showcase these learnings to our community three times a year. I love to be as creative as possible with the kids as well as in my own life.

When I'm not busy teaching I love to spend time with my puppy. My dog Henry is my favorite little smush. I love to take him for walks in the resevoir or to the dog park to play.