Multiliteracies:
Refers to two major aspects of language one
of verbal and written the other characteristics of the new information and
communications media. The way we communicate now with the use of technology is
ever changing and as educators we are responsible to have our students be aware
of all the multiteracies. In the past classrooms information was solely given through
textbooks, magazines and newspapers where the written language was
universal and all the students to understood how to decode the text. Today with the use of computers
in the classroom students are learning and understand a language that may not
be universal. Abbreviations and emjois
have replaced full sentences and texting is more normal then picking up the
phone and having a verbal conversation. Cursive writing is becoming the thing
of the past and student’s penmanship is not as important. As future teachers we must keep ahead of the new ways of literacies to teach the future
generations.
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Zetus Lapetus! For those of you that were fans of Zenon girl of the 21st century!
Will we live in an era of hologram teachers and paperless
classrooms or will education stand still for a while and let classrooms still
teach children the basics?
I am currently on the Library Committee for reshaping and rebranding the library. However it is no long called a library but a “Media Center.” The space will celebrate more interactive technology with the use of green screen, video cameras, a stage for plays and a makers space for hands on learning. There will be fewer racks of actual books for the students to check out. As educators I wonder when and how much schools will change in the way of technology. Is it beneficial for the libraries to change over to “Media Centers” and focus less on books and more on other forms of literacies?
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ReplyDeleteI hope as educators we can find a happy medium that successfully bridges paper texts with today's technology. Tech has moved so fast that we've had a hard time keeping up with it in our schools and we are quick to bring in what's trendy and new without always finding the most effective way to implement new ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy!
ReplyDeleteLove the Zenon reference!!!! :)
Our entire world is technology driven so I think in order to prepare our students for the future, we have no choice but to keep ourselves current in the tech world. That being said, technology is not the only thing out there to embrace in our classrooms/media centers and I think as long as you find the balance, then the students are set up for success. In terms of the revamping of your media center, I think that area sounds incredible and thoughtfully planned out. It is great to offer other ways for students to find their strengths and learn through play and creativity!
Great blog Amy! I think that it is important to try and find that balance or "Happy medium" as Jen says. As educators we need to expand and shape our students realm of literacy, but make sure that when one literacy comes in that doesn't completely replace other forms. Students should be able to write and read paper texts in addition to newer more technological literacies.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI feel torn about this topic! I love old fashioned literacy and I love technology! However, I get a little worried when good old fashioned books, newspapers, and magazines are being completely overshadowed by Kindles, iPads, and tech gadgets. They're great, don't get me wrong! But a balance needs to be taught in order to embrace all aspects of literacy that includes the paper texts. It seems as though you are working on that through your library group. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jacquelyn, I am also torn about this topic. I walking into the library and seeing shelves and shelves of books. I think there's something about a student walking over to a shelf and exploring the many books in front of he/she. However, I embrace the use of technology in classrooms. Mostly because this is the new generation - if we want students to succeed in life, it's vital that they learn how to type, use apps, and utilize devices such as iPads and chrome books. Think about us at SHU - most courses are all online! This will eventually be their future so I think it's important for them to use technology at a young age. However, I do believe there should be a limit on screen time. Although technology provides wonderful opportunities, there's nothing like paper/pencil and a physical book!
ReplyDeleteLauren and Jacquelyn, I have a middle school daughter. She is about to enter high school and is current on the latest technological trends; however, this girl LOVES books. Not just to read the books. She has an appreciation of the covers of the books, the art, and the smell of an old book. There is a sincere appreciation of not only the content of the book but of the physical characteristics as well. I would love to say I taught her that, but someone else did. There will always be individuals who hold on to the tangible books. There's something magical about them that digital media just can't grasp. I think it's the imaginative aspect of it, the part where the book is always better than the movie.
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I do feel that since technology is extremely prevalent in society, it needs to be incorporated into the classroom as much as possible. As students learn academic content, it is also just as vital for them to learn how to use technology because being able to use devices, apps, etc will follow them throughout their life. I do agree with our peers comments, there definitely needs to be both technology and paper texts incorporated into the classroom. Eliminating paper literacy entirely will be a disservice to our students. Again, as Jen stated, we need to find the 'happy medium'. By having this balance, our students will be able to achieve and embrace literacy practices.
I was totally a fan a Zenon when I was younger and I feel as if hologram teachers will eventually be real one day! It is crazy to see how different elementary schools are these day from when I was there. The technology has boomed and teaching multiliteracies is a must. Students are rarely using books anymore since everything is online now a days. I believe it is not our choice to focus less on books, I just believe the switch is happening because more technology is being created. Teacher must stay up to date on teaching their students these new literacies through technology because of all the laptops and IPads in elementary schools. Also, teachers should remain traditional and still include books and texts.
ReplyDeleteLove the Zenon reference!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your insight on the library/media center transition. While interning in my school, I often find myself referring to the media center and the students always correct me with the term "media center," almost as if the term "library" is foreign to them.
I feel like the debate between whether the plethora of technology integration for young children is beneficial, or in fact taking away important and timeless skills of the past (as you mentioned penmanship, or simply reading a handheld book). While of course technology brings us so many advantages and advancements, I do believe as educators in this new technology-driven generation, it is important to find a happy medium.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts are extremely interesting regarding the new use of how people communicate and how libraries are being changed to being called "media centers". However, I have to disagree with how you mentioned that students are learning a language that may not be universal. This goes back to the days when we all had flip phones and everyone thought that we would never learn how to spell correctly using abbreviations such as “gtg” “ttyl” and the other nonsense texting styles we used to use when we were texting or instant messaging our friends. I feel as if this is no different than emojis or other abbreviations. Even though I disagree with this, I do believe children are becoming dependent on technology and don’t know how to verbally communicate. By incorporating technology positively from the new media centers I hope we can find a happy medium with technology in the future! The school that I’m interning at has a technology club that uses green screens and cameras and have different students every week do the morning announcements live every morning, it’s as if they are their own news channel with camera people, anchors, guest talkers, editors, and more! I think stuff like this is awesome to get children to even consider this can be a career one day!
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts are extremely interesting regarding the new use of how people communicate and how libraries are being changed to being called "media centers". However, I have to disagree with how you mentioned that students are learning a language that may not be universal. This goes back to the days when we all had flip phones and everyone thought that we would never learn how to spell correctly using abbreviations such as “gtg” “ttyl” and the other nonsense texting styles we used to use when we were texting or instant messaging our friends. I feel as if this is no different than emojis or other abbreviations. Even though I disagree with this, I do believe children are becoming dependent on technology and don’t know how to verbally communicate. By incorporating technology positively from the new media centers I hope we can find a happy medium with technology in the future! The school that I’m interning at has a technology club that uses green screens and cameras and have different students every week do the morning announcements live every morning, it’s as if they are their own news channel with camera people, anchors, guest talkers, editors, and more! I think stuff like this is awesome to get children to even consider this can be a career one day!
Great post Amy!
ReplyDeleteOne of the most surprising things about being back in an elementary school are the changes that are being made to the library media centers. The school I am working in is doing something very similar to yours by focusing more on technology and developing a makers space for students. While I hope that schools are able to find a happy medium, as several of the other girls have mentioned in their responses, I do think these types of changes are helping students with inquiry-based, hands-on activities that will be beneficial for them as they get older.
Also - LOVE the Zenon reference! :)
Great reference Amy! I cannot believe the changes that have occurred in elementary school since I was once there. We used to read books we could hold and write using pen and paper. Today at the school I intern at, the students are now reading books from iPads and typing papers using Chrome books. The computer lab has now because a maker's space. I do wonder what the future will bring for these students. For example, there are still times where one must sign their name. How can one do this if he or she has never learned cursive? I believe the new technologies being brought into classrooms are truly incredible, however, I do think there can be a combination of old and new.
ReplyDeleteI always think it is so interesting to look back on old TV shows, movies or books that are written about "the future" and see that some of these things are actually happening now! As everyone has stated, I think life is a balancing act and we want our students to be successful people in the world, which may require them to learn in multiple different ways. Exposing students to technology as well as good old fashioned books allows for multiple opportunities of learning and finding strategies that work for each child.
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog post brought up many interesting points. Recently, I have been in numerous schools and have seen firsthand libraries transforming into computer labs. I think it is incredibly sad that books are no longer appreciated or treated with importance. I believe the absence of books in schools will not only hurt children’s education but their multiliteracies. It is incredibly important for schools to be able to find a balance between technology and books.
ReplyDeleteI love the Zenon reference!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting topic because I feel like we are at a point in education where there is a push for more technology use in the classroom. I have noticed that the older teachers who are more experience are against technology because it is new and they like what they are used to and now we have the younger teachers coming in wanting to use as much technology as possible. I feel like this is an opportunity for both generation to learn form each other and have an equal balance of technology and old school learning in one classroom. Too much of one could be non beneficial for the students.