Teachnology

I'm enjoying the Richardson book - it's easier to follow, and makes good points.  The Sample Blogging Letter was a great example of introducing the blogging assignment to parents.  Also, the reminder that the internet is only 15 years old - I can remember having a PC always (Dad's been working on them since the 70s when he was in the military), but I also remember the D/OS prompts and Windows 1.X and floppy disks...which weren't very floppy.  I think an interesting assignment for students would be to spend one day logging what they did INSTEAD of using the internet/cell phone.  And as a follow up, a day logging EVERY time they did use current technology (as in, developed within the last 30+ years or something like that) and comparing the two days.

What other ways can students be introduced to the concept of something they take for granted?

In my own words...

We throw the term around, "computer literate," but there is very little discussion on what that literacy entails, or what other new literacy are developing because of new and increasing access to *technology.  Without thinking about how we do it, we find ourselves identifying questions we want answer to, navigating until we find them, analyzing the results, and sharing those results - and we do this every day, on our own, often turning off tutorial guides as they seem intrusive instead of instructional.

NETS for Teachers & NETS for Students offer standards we should be (and are being) measured against, as teachers and as students in our pursuit to be more knowledgeable in our surroundings.  at this point, I don't know what I don't know to ask a thought provoking question.  I'm sure those 2 sites will have more meaning for me in the weeks and months to come, but as of right now, they are a little overwhelming - and I think that's the biggest hurdle anyone has in dealing with these new literacies; is there a way to jump in that isn't a toe-step or both feet?

*If you mistype, and add a carefully misplaced "a" to technology, you get "teachnology."  I think that is the best typo I have ever had.  I plan to make this a word.  Teachnology - the technology used for educational pursuits, and purposes.  A quick Google proves it isn't yet a word.  I call Dibs, and Shotgun.  Also, I licked it.  Get your own word.  I'm currently waiting for Urban Dictionary to review my submission. /cheeky

**Urban Dictionary won't accept it.  I will try another method.  Teachnology will flourish!

First Night, or What You Will...

Second night of second semester, but it's the first night of my Technology and Literacy class - as well as my first Master's class.  I was expecting to be done with all of my classes in just over 2 years, but now I'm expecting...so this may take a little bit longer.  The current goal is to enjoy the ride, and learn as much as possible so when all is said and done, I can nail a full time job that isn't working at the grocery store, or subbing at the local high school (a.k.a. how I currently pay the bills).

The going-slow aspect of this class is a little frustrating because I spend so much time online, however, I know there must be aspects of things I take for granted that I don't know in a robust manner, and if I slow myself down, I'm sure to know them all better.  Or, that's what I'll tell myself until I get to do something meaty or new.  On the flip-side, this has a spell check, and my brain power is lacking during this first trimester (or baby brain as everyone affectionately is calling it - to my face).

I am really excited to get to interact with all of the different technologies, and projects and not have to be so focused on APA-format-papers-Times-New-Roman-size-12-font-1-inch-margin-header-no-footer-thankyouverymuch.

That about taps whatever I have floating around in my own mental cyberspace for now...