Module 4-2 Digital Literacy

21st Century Skills have been around for a long time, but now there seems to be a focus on them. These are skills to better prepare students for the 21st century. As teachers, we need to be giving students the edge when it comes to technology. They need to see how what they are learning applies to the "real-world."

I read a blog on edutopia, http://www.edutopia.org/equitable-access-technology-berni-wall-edchat, that discussed equal technology use for all students. This is a touchy subject due to how funds are different depending on where you are. It also goes into how your school spends its funds for technology.

The blog made a good point about how technology will not ever be equal across the nation, but it should be within each individual school. All students should have the same opportunities when it comes to using technology. If teachers are following the NETS, then all students should have the same foundation. That gives us a basic point of reference. From there, dfferent schools have different technology devices and capabilities.

A comment made in the article discussed ways to make technology more equitable. One way that they suggested was to use more of the hand held devices that students come to us with; example: cell phones. Students know technology and use it daily, we just need to find a way to utilize their devices more. This would help students see how everything is connected and can be applied to real-world situations.

After looking through the videos, reading the blogs, and checking out the resources at the 21st century skills website, I was intrigued to figure out ways to get more connected with other teachers across the nation and around the world. Technology today makes it so easy to collaborate with just about anyone, in any field. The more I can help to connect my students with students from around the world, the more my students will be able to look at problems from different perspectives!

Edutopia Video

I have always been a person to accept new challenges and move forward with them, but I never realized how fast things were moving around me while I have been standing still! I pulled a great video from edutopia.com called "Welcome to the Digital Generation," and it really hit home. The movie clip basically discusses how children are bored with the traditional way of teaching in the classrooms. They have been using technology since early ages and are motivated when they use it to learn. It goes on to discuss how students want to be connected and using all of the different forms of technology that are available.
Kids today feel very comfortable using any form of technology. A parent in the video talked about how his son doesn't read the "How To Guide" anymore, his son just jumps in and tries it out. Some adults are a little more hesitant about just jumping in with new technology. They seem to be the only ones worried about breaking something.
I was definitely motivated after watching this video "Welcome to the Digital Generation!" I am excited about the things I do in my classroom with technology, but it motivates me to want to do more! I was especially motivated after watching the "Pay Attention" video. Kids of all ages are working with technology and learning at rapid rate. They are pulled in by anything that is digital. Even a simple camera captivates kids! I don't want to be stuck in the dark ages with technology. It is changing daily and by the time we learn it, there is already something else out there that is even better! As teachers, we have to be willing to try it all!

http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Feed/edutopia.org.1648591016.01648591018