a new literacies reader: Chapters 1 and 2

As educators we will face new challenges with digital literacies with more and more technology filtering into our schools and with more and more children learning technology at earlier ages.  "In a fundamental way it raises discussions about  what it means to be able to "read and "write" as part of our cultural developments today, understood as interpretation of and access to information and how we communicate and express ourselves (Lankshear and Knobel, 2013).

The chapters in the Lankshear and Knobel text were interesting because they gave real educational situations of digital literacy occurred nationally in different settings from educators. It also mentioned many different challenges these educators faced while teaching in different environments.  What struck me the most was to hear how long  digital literacy is being used in certain areas of the world, such as Norway. The chapters were also very specific in naming websites used in the creation of specific digital media projects.  The students in the projects seemed to be young adults.  Some had issues with writing while others consisted of students who were computer savvy able to incorporate and manipulate all forms of digital literacy, including remixing. What I found interesting were two examples, the project from Norway concerning exploration and the project in Brooklyn concerning the student A'idah.

I found the two projects to be amazingly effective because they enhanced the learning of these students and empowered them along with the educators.  In A'idah's case the student was giving the option to blog and it took off from there.  It helped her with her writing and it gave her an audience of readers.  The teacher was able to gain a  deeper insight into her work and the student was able to express more quickly with her thoughts instead of writing them on paper. I think that by blogging it will make her more willing to write and since she has gained an audience of readers it will encourage her to read more.

As for the other case, the "Antarctica project"  I thought this was an amazing technology project because it allowed students from other countries to track two explorers through a database as they traveled to Antarctica.  Learning about another country through the internet, pictures, sound, email and chatting versus  a book provided an exciting trip.  Students in traveled to another continent without leaving the classroom while others created a website from gathered information.  This shows how advanced Norway is in adapting technology and using it by "integrating different modalities and knowledge domains in the making of the website and following the expedition" (Lankshear and Knobel, 2013).

Lankshear, C. & Knobel, M. (2013). a new literacies reader. New York:Peter Lang.

Literacy Debate..What Counts as Literacy?

One may agree that now days students are used to immediate feedback partly because the digital age has taken over their lives and new forms of digital literacy are increasing and improving as we speak. Access to information can all be put online but the choice is ours whether or not we want to use that mode to read. What counts as literacy is being able to read and write while gaining meaning and although one can do this on the Web, the question is which mode is more beneficial.  Will books be something of the past in the near future?  If you walk into the library you will probably see more people on laptops than reading novels.

 I recall putting a CD-ROM in a drive on a Macintosh for my son to read a book and watch his face light up with excitement but now a book online can be easily read to a class by a actor or character of the child's choice. Referring back to the CD-ROM,  I recall the objects making sound on the page with a click of the mouse.  This is essentially bringing the book to life. It can definitely make reading a fun and educational experience!  This may be why children may prefer the computer over a hard cover book.

One good thing about reading online is that one need not even leave the house.  Books are more easily attainable and sharing of views and opinions connect children and young adults which makes the sharing of ideas and feedback instantaneous.  Perhaps, that is why immediate feedback is so imperative with those who surf the net. One might think of all the reading one is doing while surfing the internet for hours, but the article does question if it is really reading.

It states that reading books is "more cognitively enriching, without doubt, than the short little bits that you might get if you're into the 30-second digital mode," said Ken Pugh, a cognitive neuroscientist. (Mitoko, 2008)

This is a good point because engaging in a book, I feel, is more enriching than if one is just surfing the ne without any real purpose. The newer forms of digital literacy have people questioning if it is really reading.  I personally, have to say that I do enjoy reading on the screen because, for one reason, I can manipulate the text.  I think that I can agree  that some children with disabilities have had more positive experiences reading on the web.  They may find it easier for several reasons, one because like the article mentions ,they can choose what they want to read more easily and gain immediate feedback. This will, in turn, encourage them to read.  Part of literacy is that we encourage and develop an interest for reading and I think that is the most important. 

Motoko, Rich, (2008, July 27). The New York Times. Retrieved from  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1

Approach to Literacy as Social Practice/Journal Post 1

As an educator the use of new literacies is something we have to confront and accept.  We need to find ways to use to allow ourselves to work with  students to use digital literacies to think critically,  and use safely to enhance learning and present information in acceptable and interesting ways. This will sometimes put pressure on educators to have to keep up with technology, which changes overnight. One of the ideas that were mentioned in the articles was how all this is taking place so rapidly in the workforce. More jobs will probably be available to educators that can adapt to this change along with specialized jobs in the computer science field.  Students will need to learn these skills that will prepare them for the workforce and it will be a necessity to have some type of computer knowledge since everything is being stored now on computers.  Fore example, when I take my children to the Dr. now the prescriptions are no longer on paper.  New digital literacies are being expanded in almost every field and specialized jobs will become available to students who can design and incorporate digital literacy. 

"New literacies in contrast with traditional literacies, are more participatory."  http://www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/uncategorized/dce_editorial_vol2_iss1_2010/ When a text is made using digital literacy it can be changed and re-shaped,  whereas, in  the more traditional form of writing, such as in a textbook it cannot. Digital literacy can add more to a text by supplementing with graphics, video, or sound.  From a educational standpoint text is being reinforced with visuals which allow digital literacies to reinforce different learning styles and allow creativity.  More sense and understanding of text is made using digital literacy perhaps because a student is finding ways to share the information more quickly and gain feedback. 

As I read  in one of the articles , regarding Digital Literacies ,a Research briefing by the Technology Enhanced Learning phase of the Teaching and learning Research Programme,  it mentioned how  the making of text and reading of text demands more attention. Students become authors of there own. When a student or individual composes a text or creates a piece of text, they must think about how they design the text, such as font or layout depending who the text is for. If it is a formal paper they may not want to design the text as if they would for a less informal project.

As I see it, as an educator, we have to realize that different literacies are becoming part of our lives and our student's lives.  We should become learners and be open-minded to the demands of a more socially diverse world which shares digital and new literacies. With acceptance and open-mindness we will eventually adapt to different types of digital literacies, there design and construction, and how to use it constructively in the lives of our students.

Introduction to New Media and New Literacies-
My name is Dena and I am interested in learning new media and literacies in the classroom and in informal settings. I enjoy writing and having text published.

Introduction to New Media and New Literacies