The 21st Century Fluency Project (21stCFP) discusses the
importance of teachers understanding and embracing new technologies, which is
becoming paramount in children's lives. The project further explains that
teachers are metaphorically stuck in their ways, and unwilling to change the
way they teach. However, Palfrey and Gasser (2008) emphasise the
importance of having effective teachers, as they play a huge role in children's
lives. Therefore, the fact that teachers are disregarding new relevant
changes in society, suggests this may have a negative impact on children's
academic achievements.
The 21st Century Fluency Project (21stCFP) advances
that children use social networking, text, email or blogging for many hours a
day, however adults are merely natives in their digital world. Similarly, Lewin
(2010) argues the only time young adults are not using a form of technology is
when they are in the classroom. This suggests that young adults are comfortable
with using digital means, and rely on it as a form of communication.
However The 21st Century Fluency Project (21stCFP) raises concern
that teachers are ignoring the evolving new literacy world, and not accepting
the benefits. The project lists such benefits as; becoming critically engaged
in discussion, researching issues of interest and becoming culturally
aware. McDougall is in agreement that despite the evident advantages of
adopting a digital classroom, schools are not making the necessary changes. He
expands that teachers accept the interest in technology, and understand that
children have access to a range of medias, however because of their own
knowledge are limited on what they feel they can offer children.
The 21st Century Fluency Project (21stCFP), conclude that
if children are to fully engage in lessons, then teachers should practice using
technology, and experiment with uploading photos or blogging. This will allow
them to feel confident with using them in classrooms, and helping children use
them during the learning process. The project does however accept that
traditional literacies holds its advantages, and that writing with a pen and
paper should not be ignored, however if used in conjunction with new
literacies, then children will be most engaged and will be exposed to the
benefits of both cultures.
Bibliography
Lewin, T. (2010) If your kids are awake they're probably online. New york: The New York Times.
McDougall, S. One table or two? Opportunities for change
in educational provision in the next 20 years. Futurelab:http://archive.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/discussion_papers/One_tablet_or_two.pdf (Accessed 23/01/13)
Palfrey, J. & Gasser, U. (2008) Born Digital:
Understanding The First Generation of Digital Natives New York: Basic
Books
The 21st century Fluency Project Understanding
Digital Kids II
It is very important to incorporate technologies within digital natives learning to keep them engaged and use their already inbuilt knowledge of this digital world. There are a huge amount of benefits to making classrooms more digital and incorporating new technologies within our teaching.
ReplyDeleteI also entirely agree with your concluding paragraph that there was not enough said acknowledging traditional literacy values. I think it is hugely important that within the evolution of digital literacy traditional values are not forgotten.
I think you will agree that the experience in Shirley Warren Primary school echoed your view. The teacher clearly had a passion for technology in school, however emphasised the necessity to maintain the traditional literacy values of reading and writing. I agree with you, that they provide skills which should not be neglected, however I feel there it is ineffective to focus solely upon the traditional skills, as children are growing in a society where technology is the culture.
DeleteThis view supports the FutureLab article which focused on teachers being the resource of digital literacy to provide knowledge of how to use technology appropriately and safely. However this article expands on teachers not feeling confident to use digital literacy in the classroom, I agree with the view that children can often be more confident in using digital literacy, this shows the importance of teachers embracing it's use in the classroom as children are engaged in digital literacy so a whole wealth of new learning can be supported.
ReplyDeleteYour view point echoes the view of the 21st century fluency project, however you raise a question on its limitations; can teachers encourage children to become digitally safe if their own ability and confidence is low? This suggests teachers may need some help and information on how to teach the safety rules.
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