Chapter 2 Reading

Chapter 2 Reading: Learning with New Literacies

            Technology has absolutely transformed how students communicate, find information, and make understandings from this knowledge. Students can find answers and immediate feedback on the Internet so quickly that I believe it is an important time for teachers to take the time to reflect on how they’re teaching, and how this technology should be integrated into the classroom. In today’s society, what methods of teaching will be most effective given the way students are functioning outside of school? And what will student’s lives be in the workplace? Filled with technology.

            As a mathematics teacher, I reflect on how careers involving mathematics function. There will indefinitely be a computer program that will be utilized to make calculations. As one becomes familiar with working on graphing calculators and various mathematical computer programs, even if you have to learn a new program, each new program becomes easier to learn because of similarities, and also the familiarity with technology. Does that mean that students should abandon pencil and paper calculations? - Absolutely not. Students must understand how particular mathematics works, and be able to interpret results and ensure that the results are feasible. This deeper understanding comes from performing the computations manually. A deeper understanding also develops when using multiple representations and methods for solving. Thus, it is important for teachers to stress the importance of having technological understandings, but also teachers must describe why we learn how to solve on our own when we have such resources at our fingertips.

            Another idea that mathematics must emphasize in a word of technology is the importance of the process. The process of learning to problem solve is absolutely pivotal in almost every profession. Teachers must direct lessons to have student lead exploration into the material, and develop the ability to think critically. The Internet may be able to spit out certain answers for students, but it cannot give them the ability to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. That is something that teachers must facilitate and develop in their students.

            New literacy also involves not stressing on “right” answers. This can be a challenge for mathematics teachers. However, it leads me to think about how it is important to emphasize how there isn’t always just one “right” way to approach problems. As often in mathematics, teachers are looking for students to find a particular numerical value. However, students can perform write to learn strategies to comprehend and other activities, which do not involve one particular answer. There is also research on how literacy is a social practice. This reflects on how we know teens are social beings and it is important to be aware of this as we are trying to get them to gain understanding and retain knowledge. Having students create blogs and comment on each other’s blogs is a wonderful example of fostering this social aspect in literacy.

            In the text, there is a story regarding a fifth grade teacher who challenged himself to integrate technology into his classroom. It describes how he begins to use computers, he created a blog, and then had all his students create blogs, and eventually had them commenting on each other’s, and then moved into Twitter. I found that this anecdote was a good example of how teachers could involve technology in the classroom, but also a good lesson of how it is okay to progress into using new technologies and strategies. It’s okay for us to ease into it, and add or subtract as it works in your classroom and with your particular students. Especially if a teacher that has more traditionally taught, it is fair to work into adding more student led inquiries and problem solving activities. However, students may be caught off guard if the rhythm of the class takes an absolute one eighty, and they aren’t ready to facilitate all that you would like them to.

            It is important to remember that new literacies are embedded into content standards. It is crucial for students to be able to use multiple representations of information. Thus, teachers truly must strive to keep up with the technology that is available. It is what most students are familiar with, and it is important for school to be relevant in order for the most success possible. This will prepare students to become productive persons in society. As it is challenging, it is refreshing to renovate ones’ lessons and ways to convey material.

            Lastly, new literacies allow wonderful opportunities for differentiation. With no “right” answer, there are opportunities for students to have assignments that are best for them. Using technology could also lead to greater motivation and engagement with students that are often disengaged in academics. Then as with introducing anything new implemented in the classroom, expectations and scaffolding is important. New literacies are essential in the classroom today to allow students to have the best learning experience possible.