New literacies and technology

I can totally relate to the article when it spoke about how our graduates who started with the standard notebook, pen, and pencil now have so much more offered to them instead of the trusty old notebook. I took a break from working on my masters two years ago and my first class back was this class and boy was i surprised on June 25th. I walked out of that first night of class thinking, it has only been two years. How could that much change in only two years? But before i knew it i was blogging, posting on the motherboard, and even watching u tube for my assignments. Have i adjusted...absolutely! Just like any other form of technology, it is just a matter of time before one becomes adjusted.
It does seem odd to think of literacy as a technology because it is not found in a book, but just think of how many things a day you read on the computer whether it is an article on the Internet, an email, or even the news. I think of an average day and how i rarely turn the TV on and i can't remember the last time i bought a news paper. Why would i do either of these things when they are right at my finger tips!
Are the newspaper and the TV going to just disappear...no way! Technology is not here to replace all of the older ways of literacy, its here to enhance it. Think of email it is similar to a letter, but it did not replace it, or instant message....it is a technology advancement to the phone but it did not replace it. How about text messaging, it didn't replace the cell phone and the use of talking on the phone....it is just an advancement. Society changes, time change, and literacy is changing everyday with the help of technology.
I think the main idea here is to keep in mind that these advancements are not here to replace the older ways of literacy, they are here to keep up with the times and advance the knowledge of those today. Without our prior knowledge to read and write all of these new technologies would be obsolete. I think it is important to expose students at a young age to the technologies in literacy so it does not get misused. For example: most young students think of the computer as a gaming device. They associate the computer with sony play station or any other computer games found on the Internet. Are all these games non educational...no. But it is better to expose them to world outside of video games so they can associate the computer as a literacy device rather then a place to where they can play Grand Theft Auto.

NCLB

Do i agree with this act....yes. I think its a great idea, but i don't think it has been properly thought out. I feel as though its something that looks great on paper, but once you read into it it all kind of falls apart! I feel as though some of the ideas actually contradict each other or other ideas and or theories on education.
I will start with the of educators being up to par....totally agree with that! I feel as though if one is an educator they should be well on top of education themselves. I feel as though it is the job of the teacher and the district to provide this experience. If a teacher chooses to continue in their schooling thats great, but for those who do not they relay on the professional development hours. Do all districts provide the same...no. I think there is a problem in that as well. Some districts are full of good pd hours while others just use those hours for teachers to be part of studies, or clean their classrooms. If the state mandates this idea they should at least provide or monitor where these hours are coming from.
As for the way it effects the kids....i don't think it is made for the "average" student. What is the average student....that is the real question. There is no such thing as the average student anymore and i think that is one of the real problems with the NCLB act. It really doesn't take into consideration those students who are ELL students or those with special needs. Demographically and geographically i feel this act fails as well. It speaks of helping these kids succeed at their level, but you look at the picture of the Abbott districts, why are all their funding being cut? Without these funds these districts cannot stand on their own two feet let alone help these students with all extra services the NCLB speaks of.
I know at first i spoke of how i think the act is a great idea....and i do. I just wish as they sat there and wrote this act they really thought of "all" the students out there and just how well educators actually could carry this act out. I think with more time, thought, and reasoning maybe one day this act will someday support the "average" student.

Assessment

In the past four years of teaching i have been in two different districts. Surprising enough both districts use the same assessments. Through the years i have learned that Abbott districts are monitored heavily through the state, so there assessments come directly from the state. The assessment that i have been using is know as ELAS (early learning assessment). ELAS runs parallel to the preschool age by age accomplishments. ELAS covers the following: listening and understanding to environment sounds, converses effectively in his or her own language, emergent print awareness, knowledge and enjoyment of books, phonological awareness, and emerging writing skills.
Yes these expectations run parallel to the state requirements, but i found when it came time to really spend time with the students i really wasn't. I was so consumed with getting evidence to meets these expectations and fill the students portfolios that i forgot what i was really there for, to teach. After working with this assessment i have found time to figure out how to balance the time, but after speaking with other educators who use this system they feel the same. According to Principles of Effective Literacy Assessment article it is an ongoing process and it does show a pattern of growth throughout the year, and it is absolutely appropriate culturally, but my personal opinion is that it is a little much. I came to this conclusion not when i realized i needed to spend more time teaching instead of assessing, but when i sat down to do report cards and the report card had nothing to do with ELAS. Does the district need to reevaluate this....absolutely!
After reading the article on Ms. Rodriguez i realized that maybe i just need to make my own plan of action when it comes to assessment. I would still use what is expected of me from the district, but maybe incorporate my own activities that would help me assest my students as far as the report card expectations are concerned. Maybe do the year long project and have the students self assesset as she did, but most importantly i would involve the parents as well.

TIP 5,6,7

Well to be honest i am actually getting into all these theories. It is very interesting to see how they have changed throughout the years and how people perceive things. I feel it is important for those who have a strong feeling on something that they should be able to express themselves this way. Do i agree with all of them, absolutely not. Actually there are many theories out there that are very controversial, but that's what makes these readings so interesting.

One theory that actually made me laugh, just because it is so ridiculous would be the Maturation Theory. It claims that its harmful to introduce language to children before they are six and a half...um yeah ok! Try stepping into my classroom where i have fifteen five year olds who can speak Spanish and English fluently. The only thing that this theory proves is how times have changed and how people have opened their eyes to language and literacy throughout the years.

Speaking of my students i actually thought a lot about them as i read chapter 6. Chapter 6 speaks of socio cultural theories, the effects of rural and urban communities. Growing up i was the kid in the rural family that helped mom in the house and yes my brother played video games, but on the flip side my mother was always a teacher in an urban area and always exposed my brother and i to that lifestyle so we were aware of what else is out there. Do i agree with my mom for doing this...absolutely! This is the second urban district i have worked in and i love every minute of it. I am fascinated by the these theories and find them very interesting...who knows after all these years working in these communities maybe i will create my own theory!