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Photo: Education World



Literacy and Technology is my first online class. I was a little nervous at first, but after taking Curriculum Planning and Development I figured I already had a dose of the online world of learning. Needless to say, I love online classes. If it was not for my experience last semester taking a class with Dr. Smirnova, I would not be as calm as I am, but everything I learned last semester has smoothly transferred over to this class. It is only the second week of the class but I have already learned so many new ways to incorporate the Internet into teaching. So many new websites such as WetPaint, Picasso, and WDYDWYD has been brought to my attention this past week, and I love EVERY one of these websites! There are so many ways to be creative, and these websites show so many ways to bring creativity.

Taking Emergent Literacy last semester introduced me to the world of literacy, but this class takes it to a whole other level. Learning has changed a lot over the past few years. Students live in a new world of a digital age. Computer Literacy is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently. It is knowing how computers work and operate. Students today are the prime example of knowing computer literacy. With video games, Facebook, and Twitter students are in a world which is run by technology. Students are teachers when it comes to how computers work. They are teaching their elders a whole new way of life. Information Literacy is the ability to find and use information from different sources, and organize it into a form that allows users to make decisions. Integration Literacy is the ability to use computers and other technology combined with teaching and learning strategies to enhance student's learning. There is a difference between the three terms, even though they all have to do with technology. Computer Literacy is the simple knowledge of how technology works. Information Literacy is bringing Computer Literacy to the next level. It is using technology to gather information that would once be found in textbooks. It is using the Internet to bring the best learning materials together that allows the user to make the best decisions with its information. Integration Literacy is the next level of these three terms. This allows using technology with teaching to make students learn to the best of their ability. The literacy of the future will hand in hand with all three of these terms. Teaching will involve combining technology with teaching strategies. Students will use computers to enhance their learning by experiencing a whole new level of creativity.

The digital students today are different from the previous generation of students. Digital students have a completely different way of learning. The way that students think and learn are different than previous generations. Students today live differently, they multi-task better, they receive information faster. Students grow up thinking that learning can not be fun. They are growing up on computers, and playing video games. They are used to be connected with their friends with texting, Twitter, and Facebook. When textbooks are given to them, they don't want to spend their time reading them. They would rather be on the computer communicating with the world. Teachers need to learn new ways to reach out to their students. Teachers need to find resources online which will reach to the student's attention. Teachers need to present material differently. Using websites such as WebQuests will let the students be more hands on with their learning. By getting more involved in lessons, students today will be more willing to learn.

After looking at the National Education Technology Standards for Students, number three stuck out to me.
Research and Information Fluency. "Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information." I feel that this is the best implemented because students are well aware of websites such as Wikipedia and Google Search to find information. Even though Wikipedia is not the most reliable website, it goes hand in hand with this standard. I feel that my readiness to meet this standards have grown after taking Curriculum Planning, and this class. I have been introduced to many new websites that I can show my class, including Tikatok, which is a site where our class can create digital storybooks which can be printed into real books. This site can be use to fulfill Standard One-Creativity and Innovation. Students can create their own PB Works which can fulfill Standard Two- Communication and Collaboration. Another site, WetPaint, is a great site where students can create their own webpages about subjects they are learning in school. This is a sight which my group has been working on for our ToolKit. To meet these standards these websites, plus many more need to be incorporated into the lessons. Internet access and computers must be available for all students in schools.

There has been a clear shift of paradigms from 1.0-2.0. The Internet is the prime example of this shift. Textbooks are being replaces with Webpages such as WebQuests. Journals are being replaced with Blogs. Videotapes are being replaces with Podcasts. All of these new forms of teaching and learning is new information for teachers who are used to 1.0, but it is normal life for students coming into 2.0. Teachers need to learn how to teach to the students needs. Students will learn easier when they are familiar with the tools they are being taught with.

Lastly, I love Google Tools! After watching the tutorial on it, I have become addicted. I was already a fan of Gmail, and Google Docs. Our group has been using GoogleTalk for all our group meetings, and it has been such a great and easy experience. One thing I have loved from Google Tools is igoogle. I have been introduced to this, and I love how it keeps everything in one place. It is now my current homepage, and I love how I have my email, news, weather, Blogger, notepad, calender, and games all in one place!

Overall, this class has been another great learning experience so far, and can not wait to see what is to come in upcoming weeks!