Week 6 Reading

 

"In an effort to engage students, we have to be willing to observe and analyze what they are drawn to and why."

I chose this quote because it is the prime goal we as teachers should have, to engage students.  We need to be into what they are into and use that to teach them the content needed.  It can be beneficial to both the student and the teacher if the mutual engagement is there. 

I like how the article emphasizes that educators need to be involved with technology.  Since students are constantly messaging and using social media, it is imperative educators be aware of all the possible ways to reach students. 

 

1. How can instant messaging support reading and writing in school?
      Instant messaging helps kids communicate and talk using a type of writing and each message allows kids to read and interpret what is being communicated. 

2. How did your attitudes and beliefs about the value of instant message as a result of reading the research on Instant messaging as a literacy practice?
      My view really didn't change.  I feel this article is a little old since the thing now is text messaging.  Kids are glued to cell phones and it is hard to keep their attention focused on the learning process. 

 

Resources:

Carey, J. (n.d.). Instant messaging: A literacy event.

McKenzie, J. (Photographer). (2002). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.fno.org/apr02/aprcartoon.html

Interview Analysis

• Hanging Out: How did your young person's use of computers reflect friendship driven practices and facilitate social interaction between their peers? Give concrete examples.
• My young person is somewhat socially awkward.  He does not seem forward when it comes to communicating with others. 
• Messing Around: How did your young person's use of computers provide them with informal learning opportunities to develop tech savvy skill sets? Give concrete examples.
• While playing Minecraft, he learns how to build and maintain a housing structure.  He also get to take care of animals and create clothing for his character. 
• Geeking Out: Has your young person developed a particular interest or highly specialized skill sets as a result of their use of computers at home and school? Describe?
• I think the only skill he has developed is how to navigate around the computer, which in itself is a set of skills.  He can use the internet and play games while learning. 
• Schooling: How does your young person use technology in school and how do they think it should be used in school.
• He thinks technology should be used for projects and assignments.  He also thinks research can easily be done using computers.  This is how he used it when he was in public school and feels it was beneficial the way it was. 

Questions (Each question and response is colored to fit into the category that it best fits in.)

• Do you have a computer /iPod/MPC playerWii/ ect....?
• My child has a computer, an iPod, and a Playstation 3
• What kinds of things do you use the computer for?
• Since this child is homeschooled, he uses the computer for that purpose.  He also uses Youtube and plays games.
• What is your favorite thing to do on the computer?
• His favorite thing to do on the computer is watch Youtube videos. 
• How did you learn to do that?
• He just got on the computer and did it.  He thinks it is pretty self-explanatory.
• What are some other things you use the computer for?
• He also uses the computer for research and looking history facts up.
• What is your favorite game? Why?
• His favorite game is Minecraft because it is fun and exciting. 
• Do you know other people who do this?
• His siblings also play the game Minecraft
• How do you use the computer at school?
• When he was at school, he used the computer for projects and assignments. 
• How would you like to use the computer at school?
• He would like to see teachers use Youtube in school.
• Do you think teachers would let you use the computer to do those things? Why? Why not?
• He doesn’t think teachers would use it because there is not a lot of educational “things” on Youtube. 
• Anything else you would like to tell me?
• He did not have any further information to share on his technology use.  While watching him though, I can see that he really enjoys playing games and just spending time in the quiet world of technology. 

Interview Transcript

Questions for Interviewing a young person:

• Do you have a computer /iPod/MPC playerWii/ ect....?
• My child has a computer, an iPod, and a Playstation 3
• What kinds of things do you use the computer for?
• Since this child is homeschooled, he uses the computer for that purpose.  He also uses Youtube and plays games.
• What is your favorite thing to do on the computer?
• His favorite thing to do on the computer is watch Youtube videos. 
• How did you learn to do that?
• He just got on the computer and did it.  He thinks it is pretty self-explanatory.
• What are some other things you use the computer for?
• He also uses the computer for research and looking history facts up.
• What is your favorite game? Why?
• His favorite game is Minecraft because it is fun and exciting. 
• Do you know other people who do this?
• His siblings also play the game Minecraft
• How do you use the computer at school?
• When he was at school, he used the computer for projects and assignments. 
• How would you like to use the computer at school?
• He would like to see teachers use Youtube in school.
• Do you think teachers would let you use the computer to do those things? Why? Why not?
• He doesn’t think teachers would use it because there is not a lot of educational “things” on Youtube. 
• Anything else you would like to tell me?
• He did not have any further information to share on his technology use.  While watching him though, I can see that he really enjoys playing games and just spending time in the quiet world of technology. 

Weekly Reading 5

"Past research has shown that online reading creates an environment more focused on the learner."

This quote helps enforce the idea that kids are more comfortable with digital reading and other technology. We need to create a learning environment suitable for the kids.  They should feel welcomed and positive when entering the classroom.  Since we are in the technology age, it would be beneficial to use technology in order to make this a success.  I believe this quote is a nice reminder of how we should use online reading to better reach the students.  Creating online reading environments will allow us to reach the kids on their own level and help them understand we care about what they learn and experience when they are in school.    

 

VIDEO:
The video above shows how you can annotate digital texts.  It emphasizes the similarities between printed texts and digital texts. 
 

 

QUESTIONS:

 

1.      What did you learn about how reading of digital texts differs from the reading of print texts?

I learned that there are some complexities of digital texts I was unaware of.  I also learned that digital texts can be expanded on by asking questions that excite the students as they read. 

2.      Do you agree the reading of digital texts are complex?

            At first reading digital texts might seem complex, but it really isn’t any different from reading a printed text.  Now the understanding of digital texts is a different story.  Just like books, it is challenging to know the authors viewpoint of the texts.  Sometimes misunderstandings can occur with the texts.    

3.      Do you think that reading digital texts has value for reading in school?

I think reading digital texts would have value in school if teachers made the connection to the digital texts.  Otherwise, kids might not be interested and lack the enthusiasm toward learning. 

4.      How might a teacher connect Peter's online reading skills with academic reading? How might this improve Peter's academic reading?

            A teacher can use the fact that Peter enjoys Naruto and other types of anime to teach him new skills.   Instead of using boring stories, Peter might better enjoy something that is fiction.  This will improve his academic reading because it will catch Peter’s attention.  By keeping him engaged and using something he shows interest in, he will continue to read and learn and grow through the education.  Also since Peter was able to describe the plot and other aspects of Naruto, it shows that he is learning and able to apply different principles to readings out of school. 

 

References

Rowsell, J., & Burke, A. (2009). Reading by design: Two case studies. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53(2), 106-118. Retrieved from http://mylearningspaces.com/docs/ReadingbyDesign.pdf

 

Weekly Reading 4

“One dilemma for teachers, then, is the pedagogical challenge of designing meaningful tasks that will engage and enrage students.” (Adlington & Hansford, 2008)

Engaging the students is a challenge from the beginning of teaching.  I have noticed it is hard to get the students involved if there is no support or no will power from the students.  It is like that saying you can take a horse to a river but you can’t make them drink.  We as teachers can teach and teach, but we cannot make the students learn.  It is up to them.  We can however, change the way we present the material.  We should try to engage the students and help them be involved.  Teachers should be engaged as well to show the students how much they care. 

http://blog.tomsnyder.com/Portals/30062/images/middle_school_math.png

• Why is it important for teachers to use digital media to support writing instruction in school?

Teachers need to use digital media because that is how students are being raised.  The article emphasizes that kids are now being born into technology.  They need to be exposed to what they already are aware of. 

• What are the differences between writing online and writing in school?

Writing in school is still paper-based.  Writing online is more informal and seems to engage the students rather quickly.  Also writing online is more for an audience of greater number.  An example would be a blog. 

• How should teachers use digital spaces to support writing instruction in school?

Digital spaces should be used to support students’ writing within the school.  Teachers should use different sites to engage the students and help them develop to the world around them. 

• What are some of the challenges to using digital spaces for writing instruction in school?

A big challenge is actually creating engaging, meaningful activities.  Another challenge is the availability of technology and keeping the technology working. 

• The authors of the reading provided some excellent examples of how teachers used the social purposes of new texts to support learning in school. Please find another example (Lesson plan or student created product) that provides a good example of how a teacher kept true to the social purpose of a new digital text to support learning in the classroom. Please provide explanation for you example.

Here is a Webquest that engages the students. 

The students go through this quest and learn about Pi.  They are asked to create a facebook discussion about what they have learned.  This is perfect because students are currently using facebook as a means of social communication. 

References

Adlington, R., & Hansford, D. (2008, July 6). Digital spaces and young people’s online authoring: Challenges for teachers. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from National Conference for Teachers of English and Literacy: http://www.englishliteracyconference.com.au/files/documents/AdlingtonHansford-Digital%20spaces.pdf

Iger, J. (2012, June 22). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.tomsnyder.com/math-hub/bid/76261/Engaging-Middle-School-Students-in-Math

 

Illuminated Text Final Copy

Illuminated Text Rough Draft

illuminated text

More PowerPoint presentations from Ernest Yeager

Weekly Reading #3

As you read this article consider the following questions and post your responses to them in a posting on your blog:

1.      What is the main argument presented in this article?

The main argument, I feel, is using education by using a more of a 21^st century viewpoint.  We need to address the term “multimodality.”  Since kids are being exposed to diverse forms of technology and learning situations, we need to be aware of all the tools available for use. 

2.      Why is it imperative that teachers and educational policy makers recognize the role multimodality plays in redefining literacy in the 21st century?

It is important because we need to bring everyday life into the classroom in order to make the connection between learning and why it is necessary. 

3.      What is the fundamental philosophical orientation of educators who engage in multimodal literacy instruction?

“…Children and adults learn best when engaged in complex, socially constructed, personally relevant, creative composition and interpretation of texts that incorporate a variety of meaningful communicative modes or symbols.”  Basically this is saying that we learn when it matters to us.  The more complexity sometimes draws us in the learning situation. 

4.      What is the rational for engaging children in learning through the arts promoted by educational philosophers like Maine Green and Elliot Eisner?

“Engagements with the arts offer us aesthetic experiences that are pleasing and transform the very way we encounter the world.”

Do you share this philosophical orientation? Why? Why not?

            I do share this philosophical orientation.  Reaching children is the most important thing as an educator.  When I learned in school, I learned best when the teacher had incorporated some hands on activity.  One was when I took French.  We made Mardi Gras masks to celebrate Fat Tuesday.  I feel I learned a lot within the few days we did this.  In my math teachings, I want to incorporate activities so the kids are engaged and learn at the same time. 

5.      Name three benefits of multimodal reading and writing for students? Be specific and use quotes from the text to support your claims.

1.      One benefit is making connections between school and home.  “If educators read such multimodal texts…they may find connections between home, school, and other spaces and facilitate conversations that bridge home and school literacy practices.”

2.      Teachers can design improved lesson plans to incorporate different multimodal literacies.  “Through such projects, teachers create something significantly new, experiment with new technologies, and share innovative learning that moves well beyond the four walls of the classroom.” 

3.      A third benefit of multimodal reading and writing is students learn how to look at situations with a different viewpoint.  “The children’s multimodal drawing artifacts revealed details…called “sedimented identities”, or traces of past experiences visually shown in the drawings. 

 

6.      Give an example of how blogging supports the four aspects of multimodal theory proposed by Kress and Jewitt.

The four aspects are Materiality, Framing, Design, and Productions.  Blogs allow the user to be creative, share information that is available anytime, rather than for class, and create something that has more meaning to the user than some assignment with a required list.  Blogs break the boundaries of formal papers. 

7.      What can teachers learn about their students from their image productions? Why is this important?

Teachers can learn what their home life is like.  They can also learn how students view certain learning situations.  This is important because students might not have any other way other than drawing to properly express their learning. 

8.      According to this article, why should teachers use technology in their teaching?

Technology allows for greater participation, collaboration, and distribution of knowledge that has not been possible before.

9.      How does multimodal literacy relate to 21st century literacy?

21^st Century literacy and multimodal literacy seem to have similar concepts.  Multimodal addresses different ways to reach the students.  The article says two connections are 1. New technical stuff and 2. New ethos

10.  What project described intrigued you the most?

The project that intrigued me the most was the Holocaust project.  I think it is important for students to study history so that we as a human society do not end up in the same situation from past years. 

11.  What challenges to integrating multimodal reading and writing into schools do you most identify with?

I can identify with teacher collaboration.  Being a young teacher, it is challenging when season teachers do not want to hear anything new about teaching.  I also get some looks when I try something that breaks the normal way of teaching. 

12.  Why is multimodal literacy essential in preparing students for work, play and democratic participation in the 21st century?

Multimodal literacy addresses the everyday interactions of the students.  If students are growing up in a society where multimodal literacies are present, then we need to be preparing them.  We should not teach the old way if we, as a society, are not going to live the old way. 

      13. Find and Embed an image in your blog posting that relates to multimodal literacy. 

Resources:
Sanders, J., & Sanders, J. (n.d.). Multimodal literacies: An introduction. 

Multimodal Textual Lineage

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Multigenre and Mulitmodal Textual Lineage

• Explain how the Multigenre & Mulitmodal assignment related to each of the readings.

o    Writing Outside of School

I like the concept this reading emphasizes when it says that afterschool programs can add onto the strengths of the students.  In today’s society, kids are exposed to different types of media.  This reading says that we should use these types to emphasize help the kids understand and comprehend different learning standards. 

o    Literacy Learning in the 21^st Century

The assignments in this reading have students use different sources to enhance their use of technology.  In order for students to succeed in today’s world, they should be exposed to different technological assignments in the classroom.

o    Reading and Writing Differently

This reading is reemphasizes what the last reading said.  We as teachers should create an environment that focuses on the kids “extra-curricular” writing like blogs, texts, and social networking.  Another suggestion this reading offers is to use E-readers. 

o    Writing Now

This reading took myths about reading and writing and explained what they truly mean in todays’ schools.  We should focus on creating instruction to enforce the meaning of the writing.  I like the key points about what writing is: Holistic, Authentic, and Varied. 

o    Adolescent Literacy

Out of this reading, there is one point that stuck out to me.  “Writing prompts in which students reflect on their current understanding, questions, and learning processes help to improve content-area learning.” Basically I take this to mean we need to engage the students.  We should focus on what the student experiences and goes through on a daily basis in order for he or she to stay engaged. 

• Describe three ways the readings changed or reinforced your thinking about the role of digital technologies/media in teaching children adolescents to read and write.

1.       These reinforced my idea of building on what the students already know.  As a math teacher, I always tell my students to use what they know to figure out what they don’t know.  After reading these articles, I will continue to pursue that frame of mind in order to help my students succeed.

2.       One viewpoint that changed was the use of technology.  It is hard to use technology in most math classes.  But after reading these, I will try to incorporate more future use.  Technology, like iPads, is a great way to engage the students.

3.       Even though I am certified in Math, these readings provided me with ideas to incorporate writing into my class.  I could use journal prompts that deal with Math situations. I could also use different technological tools like Microsoft Powerpoint to help students understand concepts better. 

• Find an example (i.e lesson plan or students work sample) of how other teachers are using digital technologies/media to support reading and writing in a content area like Math, Science, Social studies, Art, Music, Health, Family and Consumer Science

Here is a link to a lesson plan called M&M Math.  This is an activity that has the students create different types of graph to display statistics using M&M’s.  Even though this is designed around a 5^th grade Math class, there are multiple ways this could be used for any middle school Math class.