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What is Literacy and Technology? July 24, 2009
Today in class we were asked the question, “how do you define “new literacies” and technology? As I listened to the class discuss the articles, it was clear that our definitions varied. I define literacy as text, reading and writing. It can and should be done using numerous tools and teaching styles. According to Semali(http://www.readingonline.org/newliteracies/semali1/), “new literacies” refers to those literacies that have emerged in the post-typographic era. To highlight the different effects of electronic and visual communication, various writers have used the term “post-typographic” to mark an intellectual and cultural shift in the way information is designed, communicated, and retrieved. With every new technology introduced, a new literacy is also introduced.
It is vital to the success of our students that we prepare them the technology world! Using different forms of technology to teach motivates student learning. The hands on factor allow students to show their creative side. As I have witnessed with my own nieces and nephews and their friends, using technololgy is the “in thing”. When I first got an I-Pod, I called my newphew to get instructions on how to work it. I think this speaks volumes! If children are wanting to learn, we as educators need to provide them with that knowledge.
Throughout my graduate coursework, new technologies have been introduced to me–blogging, creating web pages, wikis, powerpoints, etc. It has been very interesting, and I am excited about incorporating them into my teaching style when I return to the classroom. I am almost positive that the response from my students will be overwhelmingly POSITIVE!
