What is the difference between . . .
Computer literacy:
When you are computer literate, you have a general working knowledge of computers. You understand what they can be used for. Most people know that they can type a paper, create a power point and if you have internet access, you may e-mail and search the World Wide Web for information.
Information literacy:
When you are information literate, you understand and are able to gather, analyze and use information gathered from the various types of technological medians – especially the internet. This person may access the internet, for instance on their cell phone, iPod, lab tops, and a multitude of medians, some which may have not yet been realized.
Integration literacy:
Integration literacy is when a person is able to integrate technology into areas where it was either not used or not widely used before. For the most part, integration literacy is referring to the 21st Century Teacher. These teachers must integrate technology into their lesson plans. Through this integration, they are preparing students for a career in a field that may or may not exist at this time. Educators are preparing the students for the future – “to boldly go” where we don’t even know where yet. We do know that technology will play a large role in the future.
What is the 21st Century literacy and what the literacy of the future be like?
According President Obama (speech – “We’ve let our grades slip”), the 21st Century skills are problem solving, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and creativity. The 21st Century literacy is integration literacy. We will be integrating and incorporating technology in order to attain all the goals of the past and more – and more. If President Obama has it his way, the teachers will be held accountable. The pressure is on. Students and teachers are not only competing locally (by district or state); they are competing globally. With the World Wide Web we can communicate with people all around the world. Now we are also competing with people all around the world for jobs. Why did I have to speak with someone from India regarding reducing my interest rate on a credit card? Why did Dr. Smirnova have to speak with someone from India to order flowers from California? Why didn’t an American get the job that pertained to America? The people on the other side of that phone call could speak English. I cannot speak their language.
Discuss and reflect on the Net generation readings.
Why are the digital students different from the previous generations of students? One of the things that make the digital students (the Net generation) different from the previous generation is that information is at their fingertips almost instantaneously. In years past we relied on the librarian, the teachers and for some, our parents to show us the tools to do research. Today, many of the children know more accessing the tools to do the research than their parents. Librarians are required to know about technological search engines along with the same medians that were associated with being a librarian of the past.
What are the implications for us, teachers?
The teachers are competing with technology. Education 1.0 lessons are out dated for the most part. Students want speed, color, visuals, and variety. Therefore, the teachers must still have the students remember, apply, critically think, and create. However, the median on which the students are doing this is changing. It is up to teachers to keep up with medians available. It is up to the teachers to take the various forms of medians that are distracting in school (cell phones & iPods for instance) and create a way to use those devices to educate the students. Not all students will be familiar with all the search engines and medians; therefore, the teachers will have to create lessons that integrate the various technological medians.
Which of the six National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) do you think are well implemented?
o #6 Technology Operations & Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
I chose number six – “Technology Operations & Concepts” because while students there are many students who are quite computer savvy, there are many more that do not fully understand computer safety. There are many students who plagiarize because among other things, they are lazy or they don’t know how to site their source. Digital citizenship may also include knowing enough not to harass another person or partake in sexing. All of the six National Educational Technology Standards for Students have been applied. I just don’t think they have been applied on a regular basis.
How do you feel about your readiness to meet those standards?
I am preparing myself to meet those standards. I have incorporated technology in my lessons via graphing calculators, Smart Technology, power points, and an occasional visit to a computer lab (where I spent hours creating that lesson plan). Without the recourses in the classroom, technology integration can only go so far. This week I have created a web site of my own. I am very excited about this! Therefore, I do feel that in time, I will be ready.
What needs to be done to meet the standards?
I feel that many of the schools are doing what they need to meet the standards. We have to remember that many of the school districts were struggling to financially maintain staff, let alone spend on technology. The school district that I work for is slowly incorporating more computers and technological devices in more classrooms – not all classrooms – it is a work in progress. This school district also offers technology classes to its teachers. In fact, teachers were not allowed to use the Smart Technology without having gone through some training. While in the technology class, I overheard some elementary teachers saying that they were given a Smart Board in their room without the Smart pens. They would earn the pens after completing the course.
Briefly discuss the shift of paradigms – from Education/school/classroom 1.0 to Education/school/classroom 2.0.
We still expect the students to learn, apply, think critically, and create. However, in this age of immediate gratification, instant answers; the old ways no longer spark their imaginations in the same manner. We now compete in a global world, which requires a lot of communication. There is a great deal of information available. We now have to teach the students how to obtain, organize, manage, apply and communicate this information. The students need to be taught how to use technology safely and efficiently.
Reflect on your experience with the Google Tools exploration. I see that Google Tools offers graphic organizers.
It reminds me a little of the Inspiration program. It is quite new to me. Therefore, I will need a little time to work and familiarize myself with it before I can present it to students. Making use of the Google Tools is something I can definitely see myself incorporating into a few lessons. It is also a great collaborative tool.
