New Literacies In the Classroom

1. New Literacies In the Classroom By: Group 5 Stephanie Sorensen, Lacey Smyth, Estrella Guillen, & Chloe Suskauer

2. Background & Timeline 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. 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. The use of course websites makes it ‘s way into high schools after great success in the collegiate setting. Internet becomes easily accessible in school and at home Internet installed in schools 2002 2011 1994 1990 1999 Creation of the interactive whiteboard

3. How Students Can Benefit: Pros • Enhances Communication: • Online discussion groups and topics allow 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

4. 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

5. 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/

6. 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 Image courtesy of: http://www.torvex.com/jmcdaid/node/499 Information on the 2007 National Endowment for the Arts Reading Study:http://www.nea.gov/news/news07/TRNR.html

7. 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

8. 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