Wow! This section is JAM PACKED with information!
Digital Literacy Skills
This chapter really reminded me of the importance of teaching students proper technology use. The focus as upon informational literacy, media literacy, and information and communication technologies. The story of the king and the kingdom of Learnalot reminded me of what could happen with students when left to their own devices in regards to technology tools. The quote that was the most meaningful to me was, "Assessing the risks of using personal images and commercial music on social networking Web sites such as Facebook or YouTube often requires critical thinking, sound judgement, and an understanding of potential future consequences-considerations where students can certainly benefit from some firm adult guidance." Students know how to use these technology tools, in many cases better than parents and teachers do. What they don't know is how to use them educationally, as well as appropriately.
Career and Life Skills
"The ability to work effectively and creatively with team members and classmates regardless of differences in culture and style is an essential 21st century life skill." This quote really sums up the entire chapter. Sprinkle in flexibility, adaptability, initiative, self-direction, social and cross-cultural integration, productivity, accountability, leadership, and responsibility and we have the full package of what the work force is looking for. The area that really struck me as the most difficult for kids is flexibility and adaptability. In our society today kinds really have a "my way or the highway" attitude and this chapter really pushes us the importance of teaching students how to be able to incorporate feedback, deal with praise and criticism, as well as negotiate. Another important piece of 21st Century Skills is the need to be self-directed learners. So much of the chapter really feels like common sense, but at the same time I am not sure that we always give enough time to teach these areas well.
In the first part of our reading, which included making sure the information is credible, accurate, and reliable really stood out to me. In my sixth grade classroom,that's a topic we addressa and discuss. Many of the students have never considered this aspect until we discuss it.
ReplyDeleteI also highlighted the second quote that you chose about working effectively regardless of culture and style. Sometimes this is easier said than done,when strong beliefs and values may stand in the way. However, it is a very important skill.
This chapter was very interesting to me as this is the idea behind by integration plan for this course. I really want students to be aware of the benefits as well as the detriments of social media. I thought your quote of “What they don't know is how to use them educationally, as well as appropriately” is a task we must take on for these students.
ReplyDeleteThe emphasis of this chapter is making students self-directed learners. I agree is seems like common sense, but making it a common practice in the classroom and home is the challenge we all face.
I continue to wrestle with the idea of using social media in the classroom. I beleive it happening in spite of of my concerns. I need to be comfortable that we are teaching students the right and ethical ways to use the tools. How we allow the use of these tools in the classroom is also very important.
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