Literacy has changed and evolved for the 21st
century classroom in many ways. It has really taken what teachers and students
are already doing and adjusted the way they are doing it. As stated by authors
Frey, Fisher, and Gonzales in their book Literacy
2.0 Reading and Writing in 21st Century Classrooms, “Literacy
2.0 assumes that students learn vocabulary, comprehension, creative and
critical thinking, writing, and so on but that they do so in different venues”
(p. 1, 2010). This simply means that the
standards and expectations haven’t changed but the way they are presented or
learned may have.
One way
that learning literacy in the 21st century classroom has changed is
that it students are using what they have learned about literacy often times in
a very open environment (Frey, Fisher and Gonzalez, p. 1-2, 2010). For example
what they may have wrote in a note and passed in class in the past, is now
posted in a tweet and shared with a very large audience. This is makes any
errors that the student may have in their post evident and open to scrutiny.
However this also makes the student aware of the need and the real life
application of what they have learned about in school (Frey et. all, p. 1-2,
2010).
Teachers
are given a unique role in this change they are now as always an important part
of the decision making process, for example they set the guidelines for an
assignment. They are not the only source of information in the class however,
the students have access to vast amounts of information on the internet (Anderson,
Grant and Speck, p.12, 2008). Instructors can still have a very active role,
but students have the freedom to choose how to find their sources. There is
another key component to a 21st century classroom sharing what the
student has learned.
Communicating
and collaborating is a very important part of student learning. In the past
students may have worked as a group in class and then presented what they have
learned in the form of an oral report. Now students still work in groups
although it doesn’t have to be in class. They can work through wikis and other
means of communicating in real time outside of the classroom (Frey et. all, p. 3,
2010). In addition their means of communicating with the rest of the world is
almost endless through several program and presentation tools (Frey et. all, p.
3, 2010).
In
conclusion, the 21st century classroom doesn’t have to be a scary
thought. It is really just an extension of what educators have been teaching
for a very long time, just in a different manner. It is using the technological
tools available to reach the same goals as before. It is keeping relevant to
what students are going to need to succeed in the ever changing world to come.
Frey, Nancy,
Douglas Fisher, and Alex Gonzalez. Literacy 2.0. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree
Press, 2010. Print.
I completely agree that communication and collaboration is a huge factor in student learning in today's classrooms. Since most students come into the school setting knowing how to connect to others with technology, we need to focus on using this as a learning tool even though it may be totally new to us as teachers.
ReplyDeleteI began my personal journey with technology in the classroom 8 years ago and distinctly remember being nervous and excited to be part of something new. It is fun to look back at how my own classroom has changed and strange to think about teaching without the technology that our school district is fortunate to have. I love watching how our students evolve in their thinking, communicating, and collaboration with peers which I don't think would be possible without all the technology tools.
Sara Vassallie
I also agree that student collaboration and communication are key to student engagement and learning. I believe using technology to integrate more collaboration and communication into our classrooms will make our jobs easier because students will be excited to complete their work. Furthermore, having students post information on the Internet via Wikis, Blogs, or social media will help students understand the real life applications to what we are teaching them. Like you said, students will care more when they know their work will be shared with the world. Keeping our instruction relevant to student learning is key to ensuring students are learning and prepared for our ever-changing world. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteChristine Keating
Communication and collaboration are the keys to a successful 21st century learner. Literacy 2.0 is an extension of how students have always been taught. The younger generation of teachers are excited to see their students blossom in their communication and collaboration skills while some veteran teachers are reluctant to try something new. The phase, "We have always done it that way" is only hurting our students. Students love seeing their work displayed in the halls. Just imagine seeing the excitement and joy on their face when they see their work displayed on the internet for the first time. Priceless!
ReplyDelete"The phrase, "We have always done it that way" is only hurting our students."
DeleteExactly! I become very frustrated with veteran teachers who refuse to learn new ways to teach. In order to become a teacher, they spent year studying the learning process and should be life long learners. Those same teachers would be frustrated by students who refused to learn. Teachers must model the learning process always.
Dr. Dell
I agree with you about the fact that students will need to be aware of what is posted. I liked what you wrote about note passing and how everything is now on social media. We need to help them be aware of how there is a permanent trail of the students thoughts and their responses. Writing and collaborating in class will be judged not only by the teacher, but by the students peers and others. It is important that students use the tools that they have access to that can assist them in their writing abilities. Technology has opened up so much more to our students and it has equipped them, and us with wonderful tools. Great post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete