Freedom Writers

AHH! You have to check out that Freedom Writers Website. Erin, the teacher, is an inspiration! She's made me realize how important it is to TRULY get to know and understand your students. It's also important that they get to know you. This will create a comfortable and open-minded classroom. I never knew my teachers personally. Reading about Regina's life allowed me to know her better, and appreciate, respect, and value her. We should do the same for our students. Cool website! I may have to get the book, even though I am not a high school teacher.

Two points I'd like to touch upon after reading The Importance of Recognizing the Expanding Boundaries of Literacy.

1. When signing into my blog tonight, I did not know how to at first. I actually thought that simply visiting my webpage allowed me to add and edit my page. Well, I found out I had to sign in and it didn't work initially. After exploration, I was able to sign in under the newer version section. Through trial and error, I was also able to add pictures. What fun! Tara, from the article, through her internet exploration was able to create a great presentation for her class. I am glad to be doing the same as many of our students.

2. "Teachers who want to signify acceptance and valuing of their students' everyday literacy practices are best able to do so by demonstrating an understanding of the literacies that form an important part of students' lives. Lack of knowledge about IM, avatars, activeworlds, text messaging, MP3 downloads, and the like distances teachers from the students they want to reach." What a profound point! It is important to balance the literacy in school and the literacy in their everyday lives so that students value the importance of reading and contructing meaning on their own no matter where they are! Isn't that the goal of educators, to promote reading and engage students in higher levels of thinking ,so that students reach their potential? Well, technology is the new way!

New literacies

I considered myself fairly well-versed on the current technologies. Well, I was wrong after reading the article on digital natives. What is modding? I couldn't tell you. But I have learned that many of the new literacites include hypertext, smartboard, e-mail, text messaging, blogs, webquests, search engines, and even those neat little blackberries! All of these new literacy technologies should remain significant to teachers because today's child uses them to read, write, and communicate (effectively). Therefore, it is important for us, as educators, to adjust our ways of teaching children. I am already training my mind to think in new technological ways as I am with this new blogging thing. Well, not knowing where to begin, I decided to send myself a blog. How thrilling! :) But since it is on a website that is open to all, I am hoping for a response. Are students continuousy waiting for a response to their blogs, waiting to be heard when sometimes their voices aren't enough? It provides an outlet for students and adults alike for learning, expressing one's self, and enjoyment. It allows us to take quiet risks without the fear of failure. Now think, if it reaches student on the enjoyment level, let's reach them through this mode and further educate them!