New Literacies In the Classroom

By: Group 5Stephanie Sorensen, Lacey Smyth, Estrella Guillen, & Chloe Suskauer

Background & Timeline

Before we can look at the effects of new literacies in classrooms, we must look at a short timeline of how far schools have come in

regards to technology in the past twenty years.

1990

20111994

Internet installed in schools

Creation of the interactive whiteboard

1999

Internet becomes easily accessible in school and

at home2002

The use of course websites makes it ‘s way

into high schools after great success in the collegiate setting.

Technology in the classroom has changed immensely through the years. Schools have come from having basic programmed computers to labs capable of internet access and latest computing tools. We will examine the effects of new technology in schools, such as the use of the internet and course websites that are now appearing in high schools across the country.

How Students Can Benefit: Pros Enhances Communication:

• Online discussion groups and topicsallow teachers and students to respond to each other

• Calls for the sharing of information and ideas

• Faster, more efficient way because more people are willing to participate electronically than in person

• Enables students to think about certain topics and issues on their own, without being in a classroom

How Students Can Benefit: Pros Keeps students informed:

• Access to grades on assignments and tests, helpful links, such as study guides, assessments, quizzes

• Reminds students of important exam dates, project deadlines, etc.

• Permits students to turn papers in online

• Allows teachers to post quizzes on material being learned in class

Cons of New Literacies in the Classroom

Younger students may not be familiar with using resources like computers in the classroom, therefore more time is spent on learning mechanics then on actually utilizing a specific program

May cause frustration in students (e.g. dealing with technical issues on their own)

Does not account for different learning styles of students, specifically those who excel in traditional paper/pencil tests and lectures

Image courtesy of: http://drpfconsults.com/the-expanding-role-of-digital-literacy-in-the-traditional-classroom/

Cons (cont.) Teachers must incorporate

new technology into the classroom, while still teaching the core subjects of reading, writing, etc. overburdening teachers

Because of many new outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) students are already well versed in navigating technology and teachers are in fact the ones who require some training

New Literacies may be causing decline in leisure

reading

Information on the 2007 National Endowment for the Arts Reading Study: http://www.nea.gov/news/news07/TRNR.html

Image courtesy of: http://www.torvex.com/jmcdaid/node/499

Real Life Examples of New Literacies in the Classroom

In 2010, Woodside High School located in Redwood City, Calif. made a push towards using modern day technology in the classroom (i.e. using computers to record music)

Principal David Reilly asked teachers to “build Web sites to communicate with students” when he noticed the correlation between students and amount of time they spent on technological devices

Newspaper article link/image location:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?ref=yourbrainoncomputers

Real Life Examples (cont.)

In the Kyrene School District located in Chandler, AZ teachers are beginning to utilize new literacies such as interactive whiteboards and laptops

This school district has invested $33 million dollars in new technologies for the classroom

One important concern is that “schools are spending billions on technology, even as they cut budgets and lay off teachers, with little proof that this approach is improving basic learning”

While studying a unit on Shakespeare, students in one classroom have constructed Facebook pages that reflect the perspectives of different Shakespearean “As you Like it” characters

Newspaper link to article/image location: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=technology%20in%20the%20classroom&st=cse