Technology & Literacy

There can be no denying that technology has profoundly impacted teaching and learning. From the plethora of resources Internet offers to apps, technology has taken learning to depths we never imagined possible before.  With just a click of the mouse, not only is valuable information is at our fingertips, but and we can create authentic learning opportunities that engage students, families and teachers around the world.
What really and impact on me today was our discussion on blogging. Before I thought, sure, blogging can be a way for students to reflect and share, but believed it to be more of an informal writing medium for students. Now I see how blogging can really be a powerful tool in strengthening the writing process. It can motivate students to fully engage in the process, take ownership of their writing, connect to their readers and give and receive feedback.

But where to begin in leveraging the power of the blog? In terms of elementary students, I thought it might be difficult process. In their article, “Blogging as a Means of Crafting Writing” Jan Lacin and Robin Griffith clearly delineate steps for bringing blogging to the elementary classroom I found particularly helpful. One teacher started by doing a paper blog first, having students rotate around the classroom. This step-by-step process has definitely encouraged me to introduce blogging into the classroom for younger years. I had a look at the site referenced in the article about creating quality comments. Great resource - wanted to share J. http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-compose-quality-comment.html
But with every ying, there is the inevitable yang to be considered, and technology is no exception. I think technology does have a role learning, but with limits. Whenever we get a new technology, we give something up of ourselves. Our brains our malleable and adjust to the input give it. When the clock was invented, we no longer relied on our senses. With the click, click, click here and the newsfeed there, we are reliant on short, quick, engaging bites of information technology provides us. So what happens to thinking and reading in this process? Immediacy and quick engagement reigns, reading comprehension and deep thinking can lose out. Even though I am an avid kindle reader, I still say there is something to be said for getting lost in the world of a paper back book. Though I believe in integrating technology in literacy instruction, I will continue to integrate paper books to foster comprehension for longer texts, minimize distraction and encourage deeper connections.

Technology is the lifeblood of our students. The ever alluring, immediate dopamine feeder and distraction inducer becomes more and more tantalizing everyday. I think overall modeling establishing a balance, or a “digital diet” is an important skill, so students can use technology responsibly and harness its potential without it taking hold  completely.