After reading the 3 blogs and watching the video, I have realized that I am behind in digitial fluency. Once I started reading them I couldn't put them down. I was highlighting resources they use from Google's late, Podcasts, Goodreads, and Slideshare. I have always thought that I am technology savvy so to say, but I like what Karen Lirenman said in her article, the journey from digitial literacy to digitial flluency, "It is more about transforming how I think about teaching and learning with technology and how it applies to my students." I was just talking the other day to some fellow teachers about how are we supposed to be a digital innovative library without technology? After reading Lirenman's blog, it spoke to me...it is not about the lack of technology tools we have, it is about using the technology we do have to its full potential. The way our students learn is completely different than the way we were taught to learn. Information is at our fingers 24/7 and we as media specialists have to keep up with the times. Our goal is to teach our students how to retrieve and use that information while learning.
The InfoWhelm video's topic was something that all our schools should want to be able to achieve. We should want our students to take their learning into their own hands and not always have the correct answer. But it is not always going to work in the public schools, because we are pressured by standardized tests. I hope that our schools will branch out from this, but I do not forsee that happening soon.
You make many good points in your post that I made in mine. I feel the same way about being tech savvy but not necessarily digitally fluent. This is a goal for me to work towards. Also, I agree with using the technology that we have to the fullest. My classroom doesn't have a lot of technology but I need to better use what I have to its fullest benifit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you post,
Leslie
I also question my digital fluency, but I think that we do this because there is always something new on the horizon. The minute you have a handle on one thing, something new comes up. I agree that having students take their learning in their own hands is NOT always going to work in any school..not just public ones. Personally, I think that we push this concept onto student too early. I feel that kids need to know the basics first, then around 5th grade we should start guiding them in the process of taking their learning in their own hands.
ReplyDeleteZporal...that is so true that once we feel like we can say 'okay I got this' something new is sprung on us! As long as we continue our curiosity and learn what's out there...will continue to grow as media specialists.
DeleteBeth, first I want to compliment your blog format. Your layout itself is informative. I believe students are more likely to store information in their long-term memory if they are actively involved in the learning process. Technology is a key tool in achieving this goal.. In my school, every student and teacher has an Ipad. I find that having this close of access can be distracting for students. It is best for teachers to create activities that meaningful involve technology.
ReplyDeleteKrisann, thank you...I am new to this whole blog thing! :)
DeleteWOW!! Ipads for everyone..how awesome! We just had a technology meeting yesterday and our goal is to have a device in every students hands by next year. It is so exciting to have upper level support in this push for technology. I can definitely see how that full-time access can be distracting for students. It is essential for teachers to be taught how to use the devices proficiently so that they are able to create activities. That is going to be my struggle at my school, to get the teachers on-board and excited to create new activities incorporating technology, since a lot are not technology savvy.