Theory awareness for student or teacher. For the teacher it would force him or her to look at things in a new way--speaking for those who are newcomers to digital stuff. The teach rather than tech approach seems to embed higher order thinking skills, especially the "gallery" approach. When I am in a museum no one tells me what to think I just think it and make my own connections perhaps influences by writing on the wall or perhaps not. What I experience is my own aesthetic moment. One I may or may not share with a community. Blogs, like this one, make the art of thinking accessible to all.
In a world that is increasing digital, we are doing a disservice to our students if we are not engaging in or exploring digital writing. Much of critical theory is based the foundations of access to tools and knowledge. If we teach our students to be digitally literate - not just give them the tools to access, but teach them how to actively engage with digital writing and texts, we are essentially providing the platform for success in a digital society.
Although technology is everywhere in our society not all students have access to technology at school or home and sometimes both. Keeping this in mind, it is even more important for educators to use various forms of technology as a teaching and learning tool. All students will need to be versed in using technology not only in schools but as they attempt to secure jobs. Part of this training rests in the ability to communicate effectively through writing; much of the information that is presented digitally is written. I agree with Cara's comment about preparing our students to be successful in a "digital society".
I agree with Dana and Cara. If we don't teach our students how to use digital technology in a variety of ways, we are doing our students a disservice. Many students know how to use technology to interact on a social level. But, still struggle to evaluate websites as resources, use blogs and create collaborative document (is. wikispaces) online. These are skills that need to be modeled and taught. Without instruction in digital world, our students are left to fend for themselves.
I'm not sure whether digital writing in itself would stimulate critical awareness. There are basic issues of access to start with, which might not be obvious to those who have access. Then, there are issues of more subtle critical awareness, related to power, voice, language, audience... In both cases, it is our responsibility as teachers to ask questions, to raise doubts, and to promote reflection. I agree that this awareness is key for our students to be enabled to actively engage in our world.
In the 21st century, communication through digital writing is a social reality. I also agree with Cara and Dana regarding the equity issue and access to technology for many students. As new technologies are created at record speed, people are now required to communicate through these evolving technologies. Students need teachers that understand and implement technology practices that prepare them to participate in a digital world. I agree with Michelle’s comment that these skills need to be “modeled and taught.” Teachers, in all content areas, need to discuss, collaborate and develop curriculum that delivers the best instructional methods of digital writing to their students.
Thanks everyone for posting! I think Cara hit the nail on the head "If we teach our students to be digitally literate - not just give them the tools to access, but teach them how to actively engage with digital writing and texts, we are essentially providing the platform for success in a digital society." I agree.
We must try to teach the students how to use digital technologies and as teachers set the standard of digital use. Importantly, teachers should try to provide examples of how to use technologies in writing. Since more and more information is provided digitally, students are soon to be required to learn how to respond and write digitally.
In the 21st century, communication through digital writing is a social reality. I also agree with Cara and Dana regarding the equity issue and access to technology for many students. As new technologies are created at record speed, people are now required to communicate through these evolving technologies. Students need teachers that understand and implement technology practices that prepare them to participate in a digital world. I agree with Michelle’s comment that these skills need to be “modeled and taught.” Teachers, in all content areas, need to discuss, collaborate and develop curriculum that delivers the best instructional methods of digital writing to their students.
I think about the access to technology all the time. Catinthecity, I love your idea about blogs: "Blogs, like this one, make the art of thinking accessible to all", but for those students who do not have access to these tools it creates a digital divide. Lack of instruction in these areas is also doing students a disservice and as Mcwalker said "leaving them behind".
This discussion has made me realize how much I have to learn about digital writing and I feel compelled to do more with my students and to be frank, I feel guilty because this is one area where I am not doing all that I could to prepare them, and frustrated and somewhat powerless because there are limitations that prevent me from doing so.
I am so interested in the grant program at Lyda's school.
What a great conversation going on here :) I agree with Christy that there is so much to learn and explore that it can be overwhelming. There are so many possibilites to make learning exciting and engaging that sometimes it can be paralyzing. I want to know more about Lyda's grant, too!!!
What comes home to roost here, for me, is how the demographics of where one teaches--impacts perception. In a community where nearly and I have to emphasize nearly everyone has a computer or more than one, a cell phone, a kindle, an i touch and a whole host of other luxuries, it can sometimes be hard to remember that nearly does not mean everyone. When teachers assign homework online, when kids MUST respond online--and we do not realize that the digital divide exists even in wealthy communities--we are not being attune to the issue of critical theory. There are going to be just as many issues with those populations that have access and can grow with the social capital available to them and those that are not going to benefit because of their positions. We, as educators, must be aware of the need to provide access when possible and seek to find solutions to decrease the gap. It looks like there is going to be another achievement gap.
Theory awareness for student or teacher. For the teacher it would force him or her to look at things in a new way--speaking for those who are newcomers to digital stuff. The teach rather than tech approach seems to embed higher order thinking skills, especially the "gallery" approach. When I am in a museum no one tells me what to think I just think it and make my own connections perhaps influences by writing on the wall or perhaps not. What I experience is my own aesthetic moment. One I may or may not share with a community. Blogs, like this one, make the art of thinking accessible to all.
ReplyDeleteIn a world that is increasing digital, we are doing a disservice to our students if we are not engaging in or exploring digital writing. Much of critical theory is based the foundations of access to tools and knowledge. If we teach our students to be digitally literate - not just give them the tools to access, but teach them how to actively engage with digital writing and texts, we are essentially providing the platform for success in a digital society.
ReplyDeleteAlthough technology is everywhere in our society not all students have access to technology at school or home and sometimes both. Keeping this in mind, it is even more important for educators to use various forms of technology as a teaching and learning tool. All students will need to be versed in using technology not only in schools but as they attempt to secure jobs. Part of this training rests in the ability to communicate effectively through writing; much of the information that is presented digitally is written. I agree with Cara's comment about preparing our students to be successful in a "digital society".
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dana and Cara. If we don't teach our students how to use digital technology in a variety of ways, we are doing our students a disservice. Many students know how to use technology to interact on a social level. But, still struggle to evaluate websites as resources, use blogs and create collaborative document (is. wikispaces) online. These are skills that need to be modeled and taught. Without instruction in digital world, our students are left to fend for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether digital writing in itself would stimulate critical awareness. There are basic issues of access to start with, which might not be obvious to those who have access. Then, there are issues of more subtle critical awareness, related to power, voice, language, audience... In both cases, it is our responsibility as teachers to ask questions, to raise doubts, and to promote reflection. I agree that this awareness is key for our students to be enabled to actively engage in our world.
ReplyDeleteIn the 21st century, communication through digital writing is a social reality. I also agree with Cara and Dana regarding the equity issue and access to technology for many students. As new technologies are created at record speed, people are now required to communicate through these evolving technologies. Students need teachers that understand and implement technology practices that prepare them to participate in a digital world. I agree with Michelle’s comment that these skills need to be “modeled and taught.” Teachers, in all content areas, need to discuss, collaborate and develop curriculum that delivers the best instructional methods of digital writing to their students.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for posting! I think Cara hit the nail on the head "If we teach our students to be digitally literate - not just give them the tools to access, but teach them how to actively engage with digital writing and texts, we are essentially providing the platform for success in a digital society." I agree.
ReplyDeleteWe must try to teach the students how to use digital technologies and as teachers set the standard of digital use. Importantly, teachers should try to provide examples of how to use technologies in writing. Since more and more information is provided digitally, students are soon to be required to learn how to respond and write digitally.
In the 21st century, communication through digital writing is a social reality. I also agree with Cara and Dana regarding the equity issue and access to technology for many students. As new technologies are created at record speed, people are now required to communicate through these evolving technologies. Students need teachers that understand and implement technology practices that prepare them to participate in a digital world. I agree with Michelle’s comment that these skills need to be “modeled and taught.” Teachers, in all content areas, need to discuss, collaborate and develop curriculum that delivers the best instructional methods of digital writing to their students.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell put Cara. I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteI think about the access to technology all the time. Catinthecity, I love your idea about blogs: "Blogs, like this one, make the art of thinking accessible to all", but for those students who do not have access to these tools it creates a digital divide. Lack of instruction in these areas is also doing students a disservice and as Mcwalker said "leaving them behind".
This discussion has made me realize how much I have to learn about digital writing and I feel compelled to do more with my students and to be frank, I feel guilty because this is one area where I am not doing all that I could to prepare them, and frustrated and somewhat powerless because there are limitations that prevent me from doing so.
I am so interested in the grant program at Lyda's school.
What a great conversation going on here :) I agree with Christy that there is so much to learn and explore that it can be overwhelming. There are so many possibilites to make learning exciting and engaging that sometimes it can be paralyzing.
ReplyDeleteI want to know more about Lyda's grant, too!!!
What comes home to roost here, for me, is how the demographics of where one teaches--impacts perception. In a community where nearly and I have to emphasize nearly everyone has a computer or more than one, a cell phone, a kindle, an i touch and a whole host of other luxuries, it can sometimes be hard to remember that nearly does not mean everyone. When teachers assign homework online, when kids MUST respond online--and we do not realize that the digital divide exists even in wealthy communities--we are not being attune to the issue of critical theory. There are going to be just as many issues with those populations that have access and can grow with the social capital available to them and those that are not going to benefit because of their positions. We, as educators, must be aware of the need to provide access when possible and seek to find solutions to decrease the gap. It looks like there is going to be another achievement gap.
ReplyDelete