week 3 assignment #2 Minds-on “New Literacies Definition and Components”

1. Watch the video and the PPT slideshow (http://www.slideshare.net/skwang/new-literacies-elearn-2010-hsu-v2) and answering the following questions

• Which ideas from the video reflect what the ELA teachers you interviewed are currently doing to integrate technology into their literacy instruction?

                Most commonly, the teacher uses a smartboard in the classroom. And this year school infuses application of google home in several classrooms so that teachers can quickly translate content without typing it into google translate when they have bilingual students.  Students also have their own iPads or Chromebooks to use during class.

• How can you help change their instructional practices to include the use of technology and the Internet in their literacy and content-area curriculum?

               Since the school district has awarded the importance and taken some actions, I would like to encourage teachers to demonstrate how to use Google Doc, Google Slide, Google Earth and other services/software provided by Google in her 2ed grade classroom to empower students continuing to explore this world and communicate with peers or implement projects together.   For the English learners, the teacher can upload the materials to iCloud for students to preview.

• What professional development and/or resources will they need in order to make these changes?

               When teachers give power to students, I would like to suggest to have a workshop talking about cyber-safety first. Sharing the standards as ISTE mentioned, "Students recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical."

               Then the teacher can gradually infuse ICTs into lesson step by step. The digital learning takes time for either teacher or students, both of them need support from district financially and technically. The teacher better of makes sure everyone is available to device and internet.     

               

• What ideas do you have for grouping students so they will have equal access to technology in the classroom?

              When the new literacy is in the corner, sufficient resources are the bottom line for most schools. But during the transition, personally, I prefer the jigsaw approach. Match to the mean, it doesn't need fitting number of devices. When the "teachers" go back to the groups with their tablet, the teacher can distribute one or two more devices to each group or even none.  One of procedure except sharing is to get students discuss and demonstrate the specific platform, i.e. Edmodo to stimulate off-class learning. Or allow students to bring their own devices making up the shortage of devices.