Module+Discussion+12

Step 5: Grand Conversation:

1. What does research say about this topic?

ZL New forms of technology are currently changing the face of literacy. BM - Literacy is everchanging. Technology is bringing many new avenues to literacy that do not replace the old but expand the options. NH- Teachers need to be aware of technology for the growing amount of literacy that it provides.

2. Evaluate your comfort zone with 5 being really comfortable with the new literacies (technologies) which are available today.

ZL I am a 5 in my comfort level of literacy technology. I use a SMART board in my classroom and have many sites available to students. Many students appreciate this in the classroom. It seems that many have the exposure to technology in their life. However, when they walk into the doors of school, all of that has to be turned off. ( Literally speaking) BM - I would consider myself at a 3 in literacy technology. I can use the computer for word processing and spreadsheets. I use the internet daily and have grown comfortable with my SMART board. However, I know that what I do with the technology I am provided barely scratches the surface of its possibilities. NH- I think I am higher than all of my collegues in my current school. I am a 5. I got a smart board but it wasnt hooked up and I hooked it up myself and was the first one using it. My tech guy and I are on first name basis because he is always downloading programs on my computer. My students have technology assignments as long as it is available.

3. Plan ways to incorporate new literacies into your classroom curriculum. What do you need to have to incorporate them? Where are you going for expertise?

ZL- Create literacy centers in the middle school reading classroom for literacy variety. Having a literacy center, computer center, writing center, etc,. Will allow for the change BM - I have used the internet and SMART board to teach the students how to find information but haven't allowed them to use the classroom computer independently for this purpose. When they use the computer in class it is to visit assigned web sites or programs. I would like to offer them a bit more autonomy in finding information on the web. NH- I have always used all literacy that is available. I would love to get my hands on an IPAD or Itough and use them in my classroom. I would love to go to a paperless classroom someday. As of now I use all of the technologies that are available that my district will let me use. My kids use there cell phones and laptops in my room.

4. Your questions from your group.

I thrive on change. I need it badly. I never use the same lesson for the next year. I always throw away my plan book at the end of the year. I dont want it to get in the way of me trying something new. I will save stuff on my computer that I want to use but I never teach the same thing long enough. ZL2)How well prepared is your school district for new literacies? BM - We actually have a lot of technology in our building and plenty of opportunities for professional development (on your own time) to learn to use them. It takes time to learn to use technology and you have to be brave enough and have time enough to keep exploring new things to do with it. ZL3) How big of a response do you have to new literacites knowing that it effects your student’s response as well?
 * ZL1) How well do you adjust to change?

NH1- What technologies do you like using in your classroom? ZLI love the SMART board. My students enjoy the interactive lessons that happen daily because of technology. BM - I too love the SMART board but certainly don't use it to its full potential. I love being able to use it in conjunction with the internet. If we don't know something as a class or they don't have the prior knowledge to draw from we just Google things and see pictures of or read about them right then. NH2- Do you think your school district does a good job in training you in new literacies? NH3- Do you feel ahead or behind the technological game?

BM - I feel like I am dogpaddling. BM1 - The technology plans in the case study have keyboarding starting pretty early in the elementary grades. Do you think first and second graders should be learning keyboarding? BM2 - Do you allow your students full access to the computer and SMART board or are they only used with your supervision? NH- My students can use the computer but this year I want to be more open with my smart board. I am smart board selfish. :) BM3 - Should the librarian be teaching them some of the research skills they need? ZL I wish that my school librarian would take more of an active part in teaching library skills. I try to teach library schools and have activities when we go to the library. However, the librarian should share in this experience. I am sure I'm not the only teacher in my school and even outside my school that feels this way about their librarian.