Response "Expanding the New Literacies Conversation"

The “Expanding the New Literacies Conversation" states that the “most profound influence on life in the 21st century may turn out to be the Internet” (Leu, et al).  I couldn’t agree with this statement more.  We are all digital citizens and our lives are surrounded by the Internet not just on our computers or at work but also our phones, TVs, and cars.    The article goes on to say that the research community is beginning to see that Internet is not technology but a context to read, write, and communicate (Leu, et al).  We as educators need to figure out what do we do now?  First we need to understand that New Literacies is the bigger digital picture and new literacies are the smaller pieces that are used to see the bigger digital picture.  Once we do that we need to understand that digital literacy has grown to include a variety of options including Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace), wikis, and blogs to name a few.  Second our job as teachers is how to best prepare students to navigate these digital resources.  We also need to realize that these resources affect our teaching as well as the students learning.  Teachers need to be willing to expand their our knowledge and skills to effectively integrate these new digital literacies their classrooms.  As with anything new teachers need to be willing to expand their knowledge and skills, then they will be able to authentically and effectively integrate these new and digital literacies into their classroom.

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Response: "Web 2.0 and Classroom Research: What Path Should We Take Now?"

The World Wide Web aka the Internet has grown exponentially over the last twenty years.  The Greenhow, et al article explains that educational researchers originally thought that the Internet, Web 1.0 could be used an educational resource in the classroom to read and then write about.  Instead what has happened is Web 2.0 has emerged; users are now able to participate, collaborate, and distribute information online (Lankshear & Knobel).  Instead of just finding information users are Web 2.0 participants that are able to create and share information through various platforms (wikis, blogs, PLNs, etc.).

As teachers we need to adjust our teaching and learning as well.  Web 2.0 requires participation not only by students but also by the teacher.  Students need to learn that not all information on the Internet is true; they need to learn how to critically research.  Teachers need to teach students how to find reliable sources, rather than just believing any information able on the Internet.  All learners need to understand what it means to be a digital citizen and how to create an online identity and that once you put something on the internet it is on there FOREVER.   I think the most important part of this “new” digital age is everyone is learning.  Teachers can be students and students can be teachers to their peers as well as their teacher.  The willingness of all participants to be open to learning is what will bring us possibly to Web 3.0.

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EdCampCT- One iPad Classroom

Some guidelines, ideas, and "how-to's" of how to best incorporate one iPad into K-2 classrooms.  Looking forward to learning and sharing @EdCampCT #itdml
A sneak peek of 

"The One iPad Classroom K-3"

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Literacy Lab Response ED7710- Week #5

In the O’Brien article I was immediately struck by the story about Dan, a ninth grade student reading on a second grade reading level.  As an elementary school teacher I often think about students that have struggled with reading and wonder “Where are they now?”  Dan represented those students for me.  As each school year goes by students like Dan who struggle with reading fall further and further behind and then become to have a negative feelings towards school and reading.  These students deserve to succeed but instead are seen as alliterate based on reading assessments, etc.  What the Literacy Lab provided for him and other struggling learners was the ability to be successful and gain confidence as a learner.  Some people may argue that on traditional assessments Dan is still below grade level but the Literacy Lab was able to let Dan show what he really knew using multimedia technology.  Dan was finally able to succeed and hopefully gain confidence as a learner.

Remix!!!!!!!!!

Kirby Ferguson brought up an interesting point about remixing, "copy, transform, combine".  I liked how he used music to describe remixing since it's something that is a part of most people's lives.  The particular example he gave of Danger Mouse showed how it wasn't the artists that originally created the music should be paid for just a sample of something they created but instead it was recording company who fought the distribution.  Ideally we as teachers are artists using samples or ideas from each other to help our students.  We are remixing daily sometimes without even knowing it.  Similar to when Bob Dylan said he didn't know he had used melodies from another song.  I think if people didn't remix we wouldn't have the chance to be exposed to new things.  

Please enjoy my favorite musical remix by President Obama

Geocaching

Summary of the Tool

Geocaching an online treasure hunt app. People use Global Positioning System (GPS) on their mobile device to find the “hidden” items.   There are three versions that people can download; a free introductory version that shows “geocaches” within 10 miles of current location.  There is $9.99 version that will allow you to search outside your current location and the premium version which is $30 for a year that lets the subscriber search for specific types of geocaches as well as other enhanced benefits.

Pedagogical Uses

This is a fun app for EVERYONE that wants to be a treasure hunter for a day using technology.  It also helps students use maps, GPS coordinates, and technology together to find specific locations.  One of the great features is once you decide on a which geocache you would like to search for you find out the last time someone was there, how easy (or not) it was to find and other comments including the history of the geocache location, etc.

How to do it
Prior to beginning treasure hunting an account must be created using a valid email address on Geocaching.  After creating your account and selecting your version your treasure hunting adventure can begin.

Screencast/ Screenshots

You Tube "How To" Guide to Geocaching

Limitations

In the free version you only able to find geocaches within 10 miles and paid versions offer more in depth searches.  The $9.99 (one time charge) version will let users search any location and give you access to every geocache available. The premium subscription version let’s you do all of the above as well as let’s you create your our geocaches for others to find.  The premium version has a lot “extra” to offer but also carries a heavy price tag.

Conclusion

Geocaching is an excellent way to use technology and explore the outdoors.  The different versions give users the option to ease their way into their treasure hunting adventure.  The mobile app versions available for iOS/Android users make it easy/challenging to participate in this worldwide search. 
Geocaching Lesson Plan

Revision History/Audit Trail

Changes, audits, revisions, and requested changes indicated by date, time, and author. Please include contact info (Twitter, or email address as hyperlink). If a change is needed, please indicate your change in this section and change the page. If you add changes, please be sure to document them here. Only changes should be indicated here potential changes or questions should be included as comments below.

Images Courtesy of: www.geocaching.com

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