New literacies can and do represent a vast form of differences of opinions on what truly constitutes "New Literacies." For me, new literacies are anything that you can create for reading or viewing sources on any type of digital media.
As I read the NETS standards for students and teachers, I found things that I already do in my classroom with my students, but many things I have yet to attempt with them. The most important things I found for me to concentrate on were: 1. creating original works as a means of personal or group expression, 2. using digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, 3. to select informational sources and digital tools based on appropriate to specific tasks, and 4. Usercritical thinking skills to plan for, conduct research, and mangage properties.
In my classroom, I use Animoto twice a year. I did not know about getting the service for free. I use the 30 second free promo with my students. The first research project is on an author, and the second is on WW II. The children add music, pictures, and facts to their video, and it is a major grade. We also have books on CD which the students get to go to different groups. We are working on their projects now, so they will be finished and theb work on the final touches it needs.
NETS for teachers give a framework to work upon in which the teacher implements instruction, plans, uses technology where ever or whatver place they had to work in, and do what was written. These standards are required, and should be implemented in every classroom.
NETS for students involves students working in the classroom solving all types of computer questions in various subjects that coincide with classroom instruction. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. (ISTE, 2011).
In my own classroom, I teach 6th grade, but all subjects. When the computer lab is open, and it has bot had any access to the lab thus far, because the computers are broken. We do use the computer lab for creating children's stories, math projects, scoial studies, and walking. We use Animoto for WWII, and for their "I am Me" projects, as well as creating their poetry with online templates. We also have the plugged in series for reading that I love. My studetns get to listen to the story on CD, and then gather their things to go to literature circles for critical thinking skills to help group members because I can't do it next year.
This year, I will impliment blogging into my curriculum. I think it will be a lot better for group projects. I will be able to monitar their work a little closer. It would help if we had all of the resources that suburban shcols have to give the inner city cild an even playing field in this age of technology.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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3 comments:
Paula,
It seems like you are incorporating many of the objectives of the NETS into your classroom already! I love that you are able to create Animoto videos with your students. Out of curiosity, how long does each project take? Is it all done during class time? Being in third grade, I am so eager to do different projects like that with my students. One of the major challenges I find is that they need SO much guidance, it takes 2-3x longer than it probably should. For example, I signed out the lap top cart for 3-60 minute sessions so my students could type their stories on Word. (Keep in mind that each story came out to be one page long with size 18 or 20 font!) So with all the emphasis on new literacies, I'm definitely interested in doing projects like you do, but finding ways to do it that are appropriate for third grade learning styles.
That's great that you are going to implement blogging this year as well. How do you think you will go about doing it?
Hi Becky,
I teach 6th grade, however, their writing skills are about a 2nd grade level when then enter my class. When I teach WW II, I start off with pictures, then I take them on a virtual tour. I get them so interested that they can't wait to begin their projects. I did not know about the teacher promo, so I only have them set up accounts for the 30 second video. One computer class we set up their accounts, and go through google images for Holocaust pictures to save in a folder. The next class we choose the background and begin to put the pictures into their videos. The last class we edit and add music. All in all it takes four computer lab classes of 45 minutes each.
As far as the blogging goes, as soon as I become a little more proficient in blogging, lol, I will start them on a blog for reading. Because we have plugged-in reading, I think they can use their computer time to write about their readings on their blogs and comment on other blogs. I will begin blogging with them after Christmas.
Thanks for the comments, and I hope I helped you with your students!
I love how you connected to the NETS to what you have done and what you want to be doing in your classroom. I'm also glad that you were able to learn something new about Animoto. Will you now apply for the free educator account so that you can allow your students to create videos that are longer than 30 seconds?
In your post you stated, "new literacies are anything that you can create for reading or viewing sources on any type of digital media." - so are you saying new literacies involves only the creation and viewing of digital media? What about analyzing, evaluating, or searching digital media for information?
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