More Digital Arguing: Hawley Turner and Hicks and Boyd PODCAST
This week focused again on digital arguments, and using technology in the classroom, as teachers and students. While it wasn't the most intriguing readings so far, I did learn quite a bit from them.
The shorter Hawley Turner and Hicks reading was interesting, full of suggestions and information that are very relevant to today's world of teaching. We do live in a world where technology has become much more prominent than it used to be, and we need to be aware that we as teachers need to adapt and change with the times. We can't continue to teacher straight from slide shows everyday. That isn't engaging to the students. It's boring, and they will more than likely not retain anything they hear. We need to be sure to create new ways of keeping their attention, and we need to make sure our teaching reflects the change of times.
"English teachers must embrace a new role: we must advocate for digital literacy, not just technology, in a way that re-conceptualizes our discipline. We must dump the dittos, throw out the workbooks, and remix our teaching for a digital age." This is an interesting quote to me, because it really made me realize that the days of just sitting at the desk and working form a textbook, or even just standing in the front of the room as the teacher and lecturing, are gone. We need to continue to create lessons that are fun, engaging, and digital.
For the longer reading by Hawley Turner and Hicks, they provide us a list of tools that would be helpful when writing argumentatively in a digital form. This part is hard for me, because I'm not really into technology, and am not all that good at it. With that being said, I am determined to make sure I keep up with the changes that are happening in the classroom, and make sure that I continue to teach myself and learn from others how to use new technology, and how to use it while teaching.
The podcast Danah Boyd was apart of was a little odd, and while interesting to listen to, I still don't know how I feel about it. One concept that I did find interesting was that she seemed to imply that the internet was a place that people could let loose. Students who may normally be well behaved and have it together in regular life can sometimes change completely when using the internet. In a way, that makes sense. When kids have to be good and clean and smart in the classroom, or for their parents, they need a platform to be free and crazy. So, what better place than the internet.
It was interesting to read the different ideas that these people had, and also a bit confusing. I'm looking forward to breaking it down and talking more about it in class.
The shorter Hawley Turner and Hicks reading was interesting, full of suggestions and information that are very relevant to today's world of teaching. We do live in a world where technology has become much more prominent than it used to be, and we need to be aware that we as teachers need to adapt and change with the times. We can't continue to teacher straight from slide shows everyday. That isn't engaging to the students. It's boring, and they will more than likely not retain anything they hear. We need to be sure to create new ways of keeping their attention, and we need to make sure our teaching reflects the change of times.
"English teachers must embrace a new role: we must advocate for digital literacy, not just technology, in a way that re-conceptualizes our discipline. We must dump the dittos, throw out the workbooks, and remix our teaching for a digital age." This is an interesting quote to me, because it really made me realize that the days of just sitting at the desk and working form a textbook, or even just standing in the front of the room as the teacher and lecturing, are gone. We need to continue to create lessons that are fun, engaging, and digital.
For the longer reading by Hawley Turner and Hicks, they provide us a list of tools that would be helpful when writing argumentatively in a digital form. This part is hard for me, because I'm not really into technology, and am not all that good at it. With that being said, I am determined to make sure I keep up with the changes that are happening in the classroom, and make sure that I continue to teach myself and learn from others how to use new technology, and how to use it while teaching.
The podcast Danah Boyd was apart of was a little odd, and while interesting to listen to, I still don't know how I feel about it. One concept that I did find interesting was that she seemed to imply that the internet was a place that people could let loose. Students who may normally be well behaved and have it together in regular life can sometimes change completely when using the internet. In a way, that makes sense. When kids have to be good and clean and smart in the classroom, or for their parents, they need a platform to be free and crazy. So, what better place than the internet.
It was interesting to read the different ideas that these people had, and also a bit confusing. I'm looking forward to breaking it down and talking more about it in class.
I agree Lila about the part of the podcast where Danah was talking about overscheduling and the freedom that the internet provides to students. It's the one place where they can safely get away from their parents and their responsibilities and just be kids. I found it interesting that she was saying that she thinks this comes the result of an overreaction to the perceived dangers of modern life. People have always been scared of what they can't see and also new things and the internet is both of those things. I think she's right that it's the parents who push kids to stay so busy that they can't possibly get into trouble and as a consequence, can't have any fun. That's not to say that students shouldn't have extracurricular activities, but they shouldn't be expected to do everything. Their hobbies should align to their interests and provide for some flexibility so that they can socialize. Students also shouldn't be using their free time to pad their academic resume. That's just repulsive and I think it's a desperate act that parents who want their kids in elite schools will convince their children is necessary.
ReplyDeleteHi Lila, I love how you incorporate the quote from Hawley Turner Hicks, "English teachers must embrace a new role: we must advocate for digital literacy, not just technology, in a way that re-conceptualizes our discipline. We must dump the dittos, throw out the workbooks, and remix our teaching for a digital age." I completely resonate with your connection to sitting behind a desk simply filling in the blanks of a worksheet or workbook. It's boring and not effective. I was the student who would rush through it because 1. it was probably way too easy and 2. I knew that once I was done I could just sit around and do nothing so getting it done was my priority. So yes, we must ditch the dittos! We need to get into what will really get students thinking and excited about what we're teaching and dittos are not the way!
ReplyDeleteLila,
ReplyDeleteIt is kinda weird to realize that it is not intriguing reading for you because I was excited learning from the readings. I am sure you will see that in my blog. I guess I missed so much in my life that I am so thirsty and hungry for more information. I am so relieved to know that I am not only one who thinks Danah is odd about how she viewed her own world. It is like she wants us to think this as a normality. I honestly don’t find it normal in my point of view. I have met some people like Danah and I am cool about this, tho. I always believe in being open-minded about people who are very different from most of us.