Monday, June 21, 2010
ICT and Literacy
I believe that even students with literacy problems are attracted to the use of computers and other forms of technology. This may be the window to their learning as we can scoffold off their prior knowledge of technology and help them to make a connection between technology and literacy. Their interest in technology means that their motivation is already there. It is therefore a question of structuring lessons which will peak the interest of each student causing them to buy into their education process.
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You are so right, but how many teachers are prepared to use students' interst in technology to motivate them. Many of them have no training and are not seeking any. I am now being exposed to it and can validate its benefits. Who will bring our teachers into the twenty-first century? I dare you to try.
ReplyDeleteThey will come into the 21st century even if someone has to drag them kicking and screaming. Our Reading programme is doing just that with the introduction of this ICT course.
ReplyDeleteThey are already in the 21st century. They are already using the tools. It is the teachers who are not on the same page as the students and that is why we are failing them. We need to use the technology as a tool to enhance learning for them in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIn this 21st century, if a teachers want to be successful at their job, they must integrate the technology into their student's learning.Literature teachers in the Secondary Schools are complaining about students not reading the required texts. They ask to see the movie and to complete assignments,they download summaries and reviews from the internet.Therefore,teachers need to develop strategies, using the technology to teach Reading in their Subject area.
ReplyDeleteI am agreeing that teachers need to develop strategies for using technology in order to reach their students,but education is a partnership between home and school, therefore there is a crucial need for parents to also become techno savvy. Most parents and teachers have trouble operating a cell phone and phones like the Blackberry even though they may own one they seldom use the applications available to them.If we are going to speak about technology to aid in reading and literacy then we must be aware of the material our students are exposed to. Just leaving a child on the computer at home with a technologically illiterate parent can be very dangerous.Indeed i have witnessed students who perform badly in school operate in a different mode in the internet cafe. In particular when in one internet cafe there was a sign stating that there should be no viewing of pornography the student flicked on and off the page so quickly that no one knew he was watching it.Could you imagine what happens at home? I believe there must be an extension of the lesson to get parents involved in becoming technology literate so that students can reap the real benefits of technology in literacy. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the ICT course currently pursued would be adequate knowledge for us Joan. Are you aware that we only have three more weeks for this programme and some of us have not posted blogs yet .There are some blogs that cannot be read or opened so you see the problem of the rush thing. This is mainly because some of us are still in the dark. i had to fidget around for a period of time to realise that I had to sign in to post LOL I kept creating separate blog addresses LO again. practice make perfect and I think that is what we want to master. What are we going to do when the techno student says " Miss I have it on my iphohe or iPod.
ReplyDeleteThe "Kindle" is also another techo tool that is valuable to struggling readers check it out on line
Every week is a different tool we do not have the time to practice they have to finish by a certain time and this is a hindrance
ReplyDeleteIn reference to your initial thought to incorporate ICT's into classroom practice to promote literacy is possible and reqquires some collaboration between IT teachers and other content area teachers. In the primary school there maybe a little more opportunity for this as there isn't a set syllabus for this area as yet. Therefore, students can continue the content learned in class by accessing appropriate sites and participating in web 2.0 activities. However, in the absence of internet, where computers are available, teachers can source appropriate software for reinforcement and evaluation of the content covered.
ReplyDeletei agree with you and believe that if these students can master the skills necessary to navigate thei way around and master these new literacies why not incorporate technology into teaching.
ReplyDeleteIncorporating technology into teaching of reading is a great to motivate them to read. Students love to interact with gadgets that have screens hence the reason why they are so obsessed with phones and televisions and others of that nature.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of all this there must be a cohesive bonding between both content area teachers and reading coaches.
We all know what types of egos we experience from some members of staff for they may see it as they not being knowledgeable in their subject area so the co operation must take preference if the programme of remedial reading using technology is to be used successfully in our schools.
I believe this to be of optimum importance if we are to reach some of our students. The truth remains that our students are more into technology and technical gadgets than we are and we need to meet them on a common plain, if we are to ensure that they are fully literate. Reading and writing are necessary skills, but in the 21st century, the information age, these must be linked to technology. After all one teacher stated that “writing and using a keyboard are necessary 21st century skills.”I believe that reading is also right up there.
ReplyDeleteI agree, as I said before on another blog our students knows more in terms of technology. That is what they are interested in and if we as teachers can use this tool to engaged them for their academic success then more power to us. But we have to learn and practice and time is the problem but I guess we have to find a way.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this blog and the comments attached. Teachers and parents need to be tech savy to protect young people from negative media but also to assist them in using the information gained on this super fast highway for their own development. Their are many techniques available. I have heard of teachers using the instructions for video games to teach reading and even assisting the students to read and find out which cheats would be appropriate for their use.
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