"In each of these articles, Wikipedia is represented as an inferior source of information and its use is linked to a perceived deficit in the young: they are not achieving; they are lazy; they are not critical; and they do not appreciate the significance of traditional forms of knowledge."
-Victoria Carrington
As cited in Carrington & Robinson, 2009, p. 70
As cited in Carrington & Robinson, 2009, p. 70
When searing for research, many young people will pick the first site that comes up in Google (I have done this). I feel like this quote is rather hash toward young people. To categorize them as "not achieving" or "lazy" when they haven't been taught how to research information correctly is unfair. It is hard to be critical when researching when you haven't been taught how.
Chapter 5
"Young people come to classrooms with a range of digital technology experiences, and just as we seek to build on other types of knowledge skills and experience, so too the literacy practitioner needs to understand what learners bring, and do not bring, to the classroom."
-Davies & Merchant
As cited in Carrington & Robinson, 2009, p. 85
I totally agree with this quote. Young people have all different levels of abilities in all subjects, not just technology. Some can read or do math above level, while others struggle with below grade level material. The same with digital technology, some students are very tech savvy, while others struggle with computer/internet skills.
Chapter 6
"Nevertheless, a common theme that unites these studies is the need for careful consideration of how to integrate these new ways of leaning into classroom context."
-Guy Merchant
As cited in Carrington & Robinson, 2009. p.98
The words "careful consideration" jumped out at me when I read this quote. As a teacher you have to be aware of the safety issues that may arise while students are using the internet. Many sites are blocked by the school board due to inappropriate content or access to inappropriate content, but some students seem to always find something inappropriate. It is also difficult to try to integrate technology into the classroom when resources are scarce or limited by time.
Technology in the Classroom
The readings are helping me realize that, even though I will be teaching first grade, I can still integrate technology in my classroom. There are so many Web 2.0 tools out there that can be adapted for young children. Although, they may not know how to read yet, my students can still play educational games involving letters and sight words to help them practice. While I don't think they are ready for blogging, I hope to implement some sort of digital project for them to complete throughout the year, possibly a Wiki.
Illuminated Text
The illuminated text I chose was the quote from Chapter 5.
Technology in the Classroom
The readings are helping me realize that, even though I will be teaching first grade, I can still integrate technology in my classroom. There are so many Web 2.0 tools out there that can be adapted for young children. Although, they may not know how to read yet, my students can still play educational games involving letters and sight words to help them practice. While I don't think they are ready for blogging, I hope to implement some sort of digital project for them to complete throughout the year, possibly a Wiki.
Illuminated Text
The illuminated text I chose was the quote from Chapter 5.
"Young people come to classrooms with a range of digital technology experiences, and just as we seek to build on other types of knowledge skills and experience, so too the literacy practitioner needs to understand what learners bring, and do not bring, to the classroom."
-Davies & Merchant
As cited in Carrington & Robinson, 2009, p. 85
Reference
Carrington, V., & Robinson, M. (2009). Digital Literacies Social Learning and Classroom Practices. London: SAGE Publications.
Krisit you have a really good and valid point about chapter 4, young people need to be taught how to use really good and reputable research sites and materials. I am guilty as well on using the first site that comes up in google. I think we all are its, taking time to really research is important and we all know (NOW) that Wikipedia is not a reliable source.
ReplyDeleteI think as our schools get more experienced in using technology, teachers will narrowing down what and how students can research. I don't think we are quite there yet, I know my youth team
is always asking me about specific sites to use and how to cite their sources.
I also agree with you, Students come to the classroom with different levels of I am going to
say savy-ness. Some are extremely math smart, other in English and some in technology
we can't assume that they are all technology savy, even thought we consider them digital
natives.
Your illuminated text was awesome.
Hi Krisiti and Walesca, Both of you raise interesting points about literacy practices in the digital age. I think the authors of this book agree with you that characterizing young people as lazy or deficit is wrong. I think they make a strong case for the literacy practices young people engage in their recreational and social lives are sophisticated and related to academic literacy practices. However teachers need to understand them so they can connect them to kinds of learning we want students to do in school. They also made it clear that Wikipedia is NOT unreliable. It has been proved by several studies to be just as reliable as Encyclopedia Britannica. The reason people think Wikipedia is unreliable is because it is disrupting the top down power structures that control what people consider to be legitimate text for knowledge creation and learning. Wikipedia allows for knowledge to be created by the masses rather than a few elite academics. Like text messaging, Wikipedia is also a modern miracle.
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