Moving Forward with New Literacies: Changing Instruction to Meet Student Needs
“It is quite possible that online learning will become the dominant way in which students learn”
therefore it is necessary that teachers are equipped with the tools necessary to deliver effective instruction
(November, 2001, p. 76). Teachers are instrumental in providing instructional technologies to their
students. A simple way to begin this journey is web site construction. Two websites to begin with are
www.schoolnotes.com and www.blackboard.com. Both of these websites are free and offer numerous
resources that will aid in the construction of a technology rich classroom. Technology promotes student
responsibility by encouraging and expecting students to construct their knowledge, allowing students to
work with their preferred media, choosing real problems that are ill-structured with more than one answer,
having students add value to their community and world, asking students to develop a team approach,
publishing results of student inquires, and linking problem solving to standards (November, 2001).
With the vast number of resources available and proven benefits, choosing to integrate technology
into literacy instruction is essential. However, don’t think that you have to become a technology guru
overnight. Start small, use one innovative technology practice each week, and most importantly, let your
students’ voices be heard. Allow students to tell you how they use technology, and try to incorporate
those forms into instruction. Let the students teach you something new about the Internet or about
blogging. Students should be encouraged to use literacy authentically; this will not only increase their
interest but also increase student achievement.
Conclusion
The Internet is a powerhouse of information, from blogs to wikis, Second Life to You Tube, MySpace
to Face Book. The possibilities are endless and forever growing. The way we communicate and socialize all
comes down to literally our fingertips. With a quick walk on the keyboard one can experience their wildest
dreams through their avatar, explore virtual ideas and endeavors or chat with friends in the next room or
on another continent. In the 21st century, the techno learner comes with their own expectation of what
education should be. This expectation is built on the premise of what is cultivated in their technology rich
lives. Gone are the days of print only; educators need to cultivate a learning environment that embraces
the techno time period that we are in. These advances will continue to broaden and it is up to the
education professional to give students the tools necessary to thrive in this environment.
References
Grimshaw, S., Dungworth, N., McKnight, C., & Morris, A. (2007, July 1). Electronic Books: Children's Reading
and Comprehension. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(4), 583-599. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. EJ765874) Retrieved December 27, 2008, from ERIC database.
Mokhtari, K., Kymes, A., & Edwards, P. (2008, December 1). Assessing the New Literacies of Online Reading
Comprehension: An Informative Interview with W. Ian O'Byrne, Lisa Zawilinski, J. Greg McVerry, and
Donald J. Leu at the University of Connecticut. Reading Teacher, 62(4), 354-357. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. EJ820648) Retrieved January 4, 2009, from ERIC database.
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