I was surprised to read how similar new literacy skills are similar to literacy skills. For instance, in the article 21st Century Fluency Skills has listed reading and writing skills along with personal skills (Jukes, 2007). The article also has media and technology skills. After reading the skills for 21st Century Skills it is evident that the new literacy skills and literacy skills overlap one another. I stress to my students when they are on the computer navigating web sites they are reading. They are shocked when they hear me tell them they are reading. Parents and teachers alike do not view computer time as reading time. Instead it is viewed as wasting time. I had a student ask me to write him a note for his mother about reading on the computer, because she did not believe him!
The knowledge and experience I have gained from this course are truly amazing. It has influenced me on how I will instruct my students in researching on the Internet. Before I took the course with Walden, I knew the basics of researching the internet, that is one or two search engines and typing in key words. Since I have completed the course, I feel confident in teaching my students how to search the internet. The QUEST model for Internet Inquiry is a wonderful model for teaching students how to research questions, understand resources, evaluate, synthesize, and transform information (Eagleton, & Dobler, 2007). I have begun to instruct my students on what is a good source and what is a bad source using Web sites and search engines. My students are finding this new information delightful. I have their full undivided attention when it comes to technology, they want to learn everything they can about technology, it is their life.
A professional goal I have after completing this course is to present the idea of every student being a digital citizen in the school district (Ribble, 2008). My first step is to discuss it with my head technologist in the school district. She encourages 21st century skills in the classroom, so I think this would be something she would be interested in. Next, it would need to be discussed with our school superintendent, then the school board. I would need to communicate clearly about digital citizenship. In order for me to communicate those ideas I would need to research evidence about the effectiveness of a digital citizen, then verbally and visually present those ideas. I also would want to involve parents with my ideas to present to the superintendent and the school board, since parents have a lot of control over school policies.
Overall my experience with this course was a full-filling, worthwhile learning experience.
Take Care,
Lynette
Eagleton, M. B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.
Jukes, I. (2007). 21st Century Fluencies Quotient Insta-Audit. Retrieved November 1, 2009, from http://www.committedsardine.com/handouts/tfcfia.pdf
Ribble, M. (2008, December). Passport to digital citizenship. (Danish). Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(4), 14–17.
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