"Adult literacy in 2012 means being able to synthesize information from multiple online sources to write a blog post or substantive email. It means analyzing which online tools will best serve your communications purpose. It means making smart decisions about what information is useful online, and how to curate and filter the endless stream of data coming in. It means reviewing your digital footprint and learning how to take some control over what information you broadcast to the world, from your tweets, profile pictures, and recommended links. While the common core addresses some of the above skills, its guidance is far too vague, especially for those teachers who are uncomfortable with new technologies."From my perspective, the perception that all schools, districts, and teachers have digital tools at their disposal and have the knowledge to use them mindfully in their respective curriculums is wishful thinking. I don't doubt digital literacy is important, but not all places are there yet. We are still early in the game. Comments after the article are worth reading as well.
Your take on this? Please comment.
The Common Core's Digital-Literacy Gap. Paul Barnwell. 8.22.12 Premium Article- Education Week Teacher
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/08/22/barnwell_digital.html?tkn=UVCFtvv5VWDChquab1fLo58XfNCHWKc7aEpz&cmp=clp-sb-ascd
I thought that this was a great article. Barnwell makes some very good points about needing the push to integrate digital media in our classrooms; however, I think that the Common Core State Standards have been ambiguous for some of those reasons he mentioned: are students able to make good choices about using digital resources, are they able to understand/interpret the information correctly, are they able to access it (whether by hardware or networking)? It would be very difficult for the CCSS to state that all students must be able to access, analyze, and integrate digital data into their work for many reasons if not just for the fact that some schools don’t have the resources or funds to do so. Our school is lucky enough to have the funds to give students access to computers – we have a full computer lab, as well as laptops available for check-out. All students have an Edmodo account, which is used for a variety of classes or clubs. I think this is a huge step in the right direction toward teaching our students how to use social media appropriately and professionally in order to network and connect on an educational and socially responsible level.
ReplyDeleteIn the English classroom, use for digital media is endless. Our students can write book reviews on websites such as “Goodreads,” access a plethora of resources for papers, practice writing professional e-mails and letters, strengthen their vocabulary through article analysis, etc. However, I think that there should be a stronger push for the use of digital media in other classrooms so as to better prepare our students for future careers.
It should be interesting to see which direction the CCSS takes as the years progress and we continue to submerge ourselves in the digital world. I think that education has taken a giant leap forward in such a short time, that the possibilities for the future are endless.