Living in today’s society one cannot escape the use of technology in everyday life and as teachers we must bridge the gap between the literacy skills in the social environment and in the classroom. In this week’s article, about the Millennial Generation it talks about how we need to weave media literacy into the classroom. We cannot assume that students are media savvy but instead teach students about the media and supervise and guide their online encounters.
In our group discussion, someone brought up a good point in asking how effective is media literacy when it comes to reading. Sure it can be helpful in areas such as social studies and math but how do we incorporate technology with reading. I think this brings up a good point especially when it comes to teaching reading for younger students. Most of the technology that is being used seems more like “bells and whistles” and entertaining students rather then being an effective tool. Does anyone have ideas or suggestions?
With older students, I definitely think it’s important to teach them how to analyze and evaluate all text whether they see it in print, online or in a book. Media messages can have a powerful effect and it’s important that students are knowledgeable and can construct meaning from their messages. They need to be able to evaluate information for relevance, accuracy and authority.
We as educators need to build upon our students' skills and develop a curriculum that is both relevant to them and that keeps them engaged. This will allow children to connect to the traditional curriculum while gaining technological skills.
Hi Sophia, I enjoyed reading your post about the Millenials. (This is Kristen A. responding)
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation that teachers should screen technology resources to make sure kids are provided with a relevant opportunity to learn and not just a form of entertainment.
Of course, in some cases, the 'bells and whistles' may provide the motivation a child needs to learn. A first-grader I have been reading with is below grade level and struggling in school. I talked with her mom, who said she has been very receptive to learning via the website 'Starfall'. I think she is part of a generation more attuned to something on-screen, whether a DVD movie, TV show, or online learning software. The images are moving while she is reading online books, she can interact with the learning games, and it is helping her.
However, as she gets better at reading, it will be important for her to become used to reading and enjoying traditional text. Reading from a book activates the imagination in a way that cannot be duplicated!