Jami's Week 5 Post

By taking the Digital Natives quiz I have found that I am a digital immigrant. However, I was aware of half of the words and have used IM’s, Blogs, and Wikis. I did not know much about the computer gaming information. That is most likely because I have never played games on the computer and never intend to. I am an emergent learner when it comes to certain technologies. I have grown up around the internet using e-mail and Instant Messaging. However, there are many more technologies that are being used in the classrooms and all around the world. Many classrooms use a smart board which is something that I am still learning to use. I am becoming more familiar with the different sites offered by Google i.e. Google docs, web pages, portfolios etc.. However, if it wasn’t for the CEP 416 class that I took last semester I would have no clue what these things are or how to use them. Everyday I learn about new things involving technology and it amazes me how far we have come since I was a child.

The No Child Left Behind Act promoted an increased focus on reading. It also “reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools”. This influences the Language Arts curriculum by putting more stress on reading and writing and not other subjects. It makes it so reading is the most important thing for teachers to focus on. New literacys are new reading comprehension and learning skills required by the Internet and other emerging information and communication technologies. Everyday students are learning how to use technology. It is something that will take over and soon students will not be writing with a paper and pen-but with their keyboard. Like us-children are also emergent learners when it comes to technology and how to use it. The earlier they are exposed the more they will comprehend and utilize the computer and other digital accessories. Today many students are able to use the internet and type. They will bring this with them to the classroom. Some children already know how to use Google Maps and Blogs. Our children are learning so much and will be able to bring what they know into the classroom as well as being open to learning new things.

Veronica's Comment: I have worked in schools that are Reading First Schools, everyday the classroom I was in; had a literacy block in morning. I feel it could be possible to combine what students are learning in literacy and new technologies that are available. This way students will begin to have exposure to new technologies outside of the time they have allowed for their computer "special". Some students will come into the classroom with limited knowledge of technology and are digital immigrants, therefore, it is up to us as their teachers to begin a learning process for them. We will also be learning about the new technology as they do!