I believe that literacy is a word that encompasses anything related to text, reading, and writing. Of course, pen, paper, and books are still a pretty good way to receive and give information, but in today’s world, students should be exposed and allowed to interact with many other venues for literacy. If we are truly trying to educate 21st century learners, then we, as teachers, should be teaching literacy through many diverse forms and genres. We should also be educating students about the various meanings for types of literacy.  Some new literacies that I have learned about within the last year are blogs, online journals, digital texts, storyboards, and videos like the ones in United Streaming where one can learn as much about something like the Holocaust as you could by reading a Social Studies textbook. Basically, new literacy to me means text in digital or computerized mode.

Technology to me is any NEW way involving a computer to do something that could traditionally be done with pen and paper. For instance, it might mean having a conversation with a classmate vie a discussion board rather than passing a note. OR it might mean making a video to showcase a book that has been read instead of making a poster about that book. Using technology can illustrate for students that there are real life implications for assignments they are invited to complete. For instance, students can share ideas and hold discusssions via a class blog. This invites students to put writing, critical thinking, and reading skills to good use. It also invites students to read blogs about other ideas they may be interested in. Hey- not all kids like books, and as far as I’m concerned, reading IS reading! Students can also present ideas about things they have read or learned through movies made with iMOVIE or Movie Maker. These videos are far more entertaining and motivating than your average “stand in front of the class” presentation. These videos also encourage group collaboration and creativity…high quality real world skills!

There are so many different ways for students to retrieve information, digest it, and exhibit what they have learned. As teachers, we are called to learn about the latest literacies and put them to use in our classrooms.