Wertz (2014) describes how a Digital Literacy Camp combined
the use of new technologies with traditional literacies and writing techniques.
The goal of the camp was to utilize digital literacy tools in order to
encourage students to better their literacy skills. When students are using
technologies that they are comfortable with, their learning will not seem to be
so tedious. If we can find tools in which students are already engaged with
outside of the classroom, it only makes sense to utilize these tools within the
classroom as well. One of the very first sentences of the article stood out to
me a great deal:
I have always agreed with statements such as this. I
truly believe that as a new teacher, I can approach the idea of using tools
that my students are most comfortable with, without feeling nervous about not
being the expert myself. As someone who grew up using cell phones and the
Internet, for example, I have grown to appreciate the use of these technologies
as tools, as opposed to just entertainment.
Readings such
as this one (Wertz, 2014) will be the basis of how I approach any of my
classes, not just when teaching Language Arts. I have read countless articles
on how students today are having trouble focusing in class due to the large
amount of “multi-tasking” they partake in outside of the classroom. Well to me,
it seems like a no-brainer to bring their “multi-tasking” lives into the
classroom. The level of engagement that was discussed by Wertz (2014) is in no
way surprising to me. Students are interested in learning if they are presented
with something they can relate to. Despite the topic of the lesson on any given
day, there is no reason as to why an educator cannot incorporate some kind of
aspect which relates to their students. In today’s classrooms, technology is a
perfect way to engage students. A topic that may otherwise appear as boring to
students, will be brought to life with the simple incorporation of a device
such as an iPad. However, the issue of funding always comes to mind. I may have
a wonderful idea for a lesson using a new app that all of the students are
raving about, but if I do not have access to proper technology for my lesson,
it will not work out. Although bringing the ideas from the Digital Literacy
Camp to life in the classroom is an excellent idea, it is something that definitely
has a long way to go.
I believe that
all teachers should be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone. When it comes
to using new technologies in the classroom, I feel as though many teachers feel
very nervous because they will not be the expert in the room. Students today
have grown up with using new technologies, to the point where I feel like it is
nature for children to know that “swiping left” on an iPhone will allow you to
scroll through photos. It is clear that using new devices and programs are what
students today seem to be very comfortable with. I believe that it is important
to identify students’ strengths, and build on them. If students enjoy and are
motivated by using technologies, why is this not something we would want to
incorporate into the classroom? Based on many articles such as this one, I believe
that many educators are beginning to realize the true potential students have
when using new technologies, and so I believe we will see a difference in how
teachers will instruct their classes. When it comes to cell phones in the
classroom or using the Internet, I am a true believer of “if you can’t beat ‘em,
join ‘em”. In the future I definitely see PD days based on how to properly incorporate
these devices and technologies into the classroom.
~ Miss Jaskula
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