Nancy's+Reading+Response

8/7/2011Nancy's Resources Cherie is responding in purple.

1) Ideas of Interest From the Reading Assignment BDWM pgs 1-59

Thanks to the reading, I have had some misconceptions about students and their digital environments corrected. I am enlightened by the authors’ assertions that:
 * computer access does not ensure reflective learning (p. 2)
 * many do not consider the writing they do in the context of social networking “writing” (p. 7) I have always thought it quirky that students do not see notes, thank you notes, letters, etc as "writing" they only see the big report or essay as writing.
 * students’ levels of technological comfort are diverse (p. 2) I agree with this, too. It always amazes me that some students are still so paralyzed by using the computers, some are overly confident (yet they do not know what to do), and some really know how to navigate using technology!

I learned about exciting opportunities for improving students’ learning:
 * digital learning creates a participatory culture requiring a specific skill set that helps prepare students for life (p. 11)
 * voices of students from diverse cultures are needed to instill greater breadth of viewpoints and experience (p.31)
 * adult mentors are needed to help students understand and engage in the fundamental processes, functions and purposes of writing in the digital world just as much if not more than in the face to face classroom (p.27)
 * digital learning includes writing to learn (p. 41, 42)
 * time-proven writing methods (e.g. prewrite, revising, publishing) are all applicable to the online environment

I identified challenges that I will enlist my students’ help in addressing:
 * standards, fair use, copyright (p. 34, 35)
 * issues of student identity and privacy (p. 33)
 * improving students’ listening and speaking skills (p.49)

I experienced validation for some things I already believed to be true:
 * the desirable hierarchy of focus is writer-writing-technology
 * the importance of teaching about information literacy and media literacy
 * collaborative learning is the way that students make meaning
 * Writing is a complex social, technical and political activity
 * cultural sensitivity is an essential skill that must be explicitly addressed