When I first saw this week’s readings I asked, “what could be new about literacy?” And then I read.
To answer my own question, a lot of what is “new” about literacy revolves around technology and how it changes the ways to be literate. Some people can make meaning out of Shakespeare but not out of a 140 character or less Tweet, yet for some reason plays that are almost 500 years old are typically seen as more important to teach. A lot of this needs to change if we want to prepare students for the modern world in which they are living.
I really loved the multimodal focus in the idea of schools of new literacy. I thought the idea of having studios was especially awesome because it would give students different settings in which to learn. When the reading said students would also be evaluated in a multimodal way I started to think about how that could make assessment so much more fair for students.
I have just one question this time. You do not have to answer it in your response, but if you would like to here it is:
1) Can you think of a multimodal way to assess your students? (give a brief overview what you would be assessing)
Hi Mae,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think there needs to a balance in the classroom with regards to exposing students to different types of text because everyone learns differently. What might work for some students might not work for others. I think that technology is such a huge part of learning today and it is beneficial in many ways. My students practice math, and spelling on their IPADS and they really enjoy it. It's great practice. I think having the resources and options available for students would be a positive thing to have in the classroom. I think I would have the option to take assessments on some sort of technology if some students found that it worked better for them as opposed to just paper and pencil.
Thanks for your post!
Resilda
Hi Mae,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post! I do agree by having multi modal ways to assess our students is much more fair for students since each one learns differently. You can't just assume one lesson will fit every single child in the same way. It's just not realistic. Anyways regarding your question, for my lesson in February, the way I'm assessing my student is by making them write a bibliography on an African American, and then they get to choose whether they want to act it out, make a presentation, make a video, or draw/ do a collage on the person. Of course, they will have to present to the class and tell the audience what that person did, how life will be if that person never existed, etc. Hope this answer your question.
Thanks,
Van
Hey Mae,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! I think a multimodal approach to new literacy is so rich and beneficial for students as well, especially in such an innovative world. I've learned to realize that our teaching approach and goals should match the way we assess students. soo.. if we teach in a multimodal approach, we cannot simply assess students with a traditional fill in the blank or circle in the bubble kind of test. Our lessons have to come around in a complete circle. Therefore, giving students the freedom and choice to choose a multimodal project or approach to their assessment only seems fair and beneficial, but it also makes the learning experience more meaningful.
Hey Mae,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post! I think that using technology for a different source of text has to be balanced with regular texts as well. Some students might like technology over the paper copy; however, some students might beg to differ. Technology has come a long way since we were in elementary school. I would say that it is very useful and in my classroom now we use the Ipads on a daily basis. I think having the option to use technology can be beneficial for the students. If this is the case, you also have to give the students options to assess them on the technology.
Thanks again for the post!
Tina Skukan
Hi Mae!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I think that the old texts such as Shakespeare should still be exposed to our students, but we need to stop focusing on them. I also agree with you when you said that assessing our students in multi modal ways would make the assessments fair for everyone.
Desirae
Mae,
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have seen our professors do with us in the past two years is incorporating the use of phones to complete whole class assessment or surveys. This allows students to submit an answer or choose an option, and the teacher recieves all of the results in an easy to read graph or physical representation.
I think this is fun for students because it allows them to use their own technology, and be able to view the whole classes response, not just their own.
Great post. Making sure you think of all your students needs and ways of learning is important.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Mae!
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be very interesting, and especially relevant. I feel like technology is very important for today, and it can be very useful to use technology for incorporating instruction. As a teacher I think I would use technology as a way to assess my students. Even writing this blog, feels like a form of assessment for my knowledge. So, I might ask my future students to write a blog post based on what they have learned, or create a video summarizing a theme of a story they read, or even write a news article arguing a topic. These are just a few forms of how I would want to use technology in a classroom.
Hi Mae,
ReplyDeleteI think having different multi model approaches is such an important thing to keep in mind. Not every child learns the same and I've always kept that in mind, but I'm definitely always checking myself when I'm in placements and thinking about UDL. Some students may do better on a written exam while some may do better on an electronic device. Always something to keep in mind.
Hi Mae!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you mentioned the importance of teaching students about and utilizing modern forms of literacy in the classroom. I think it's extremely important for students to know how to use technology since it's such a growing part of our world today. Some ways I would incorporate multimodal assessments by allowing my students to have the option of turning in their assignments electronically or on paper. For instance, if I want the students to do an exit slip, I could wither have them write it by hand or type it on the computer. Although incorporating technology is important, it shouldn't be the only tool used to instruct and assess. It is still important for students to be good writers, so there would need to be some implementation of physical writing in the classroom.
I think that giving the students options and a variety will help all students become more well rounded and able to learn many different ways. It will also get let the students not become robots in class when they are constantly doing the same thing over and over. They will always be ready for something new or different to be happening.
ReplyDeleteI also really like the idea of having studios in the classroom. I wish I could implement that into my classroom. I think it takes a lot of effort and organization, which are two things I struggle with. I think that iPads, ChromeBooks, iMovie, and other software can be really helpful in the room. I think any form of assessment can be done in print form and multimodal form. It is just about navigating that.
ReplyDeleteStudents love being exposed to multimodal ways of learning and as a teacher its a great way to get students excited and involved in the classroom. Some things that can be used are iPads, laptops, iMovies and various educational apps.
ReplyDeleteHey Mae!
ReplyDeleteI honestly agree that we should all include
different types of texts for our students. They become more engaged when they have a choice and a say in how they learn. It's amazing how little things can make a huge difference.
I really like how you mentioned that using technology or exposing kids to technology will help prepare them for today's world. It is such an important point because so many teachers that I have observed like using old school styles to teach and refuse to incorporate media or digital resources in their classroom.
ReplyDeleteI thought the teachers were doing their students a disservice because the students in their classroom will not be exposed to media sources they might run into outside of school and be lost or confused in their daily life.
Teachers should consider the environment their students live in and incorporate useful tools and resources for students to use inside and outside the classroom.