Literacy in the 21st century involves skills beyond just basic reading and writing. In the 21st century, people communicate through many methods. Digital tools, such as email, Skype and Google Drive, allow us to instantly communicate back and forth using the written word, speech or through graphics and emojis. Today's students must learn to efficiently use each of these tools as they are becoming commonplace.
In my science classroom, student can be found using your variety of communication tools. Students can be found working collaboratively through Google Drive on a project or a whole class presentation in which each student prepares and edits a few slides. Students also use the discussion boards provided in Schoology to communicate with one another and to communicate with the instructor. In order to be able to utilize these tools, it is my job as a instructor to help the students understand how the tools can be used, and rules that need to be followed while using them. Digital citizenship is something that the students are still learning. Many high school students do not fully understand the impact that their actions have on others. Part of my job is preparing them for the future and the future is digital. Students must have an understanding that what they do online is potentially online forever. Your actions have consequences no matter what method of communication you've used.
New technology has also led us to have better laboratory equipment. We are currently using equipment from Vernier. This equipment will help us to gather data and draw conclusions about our experiments. In order to use these tools, students must understand how to read the graphs and interpret the information. The information from the Vernier equipment can also be transferred to their Chromebooks and shared with others. This is another form of communication when scientists can accurately and easily send laboratory results to others, but this would be useless if they are not literate to how to interpret the information. This is another example of how I must teach my students to be literate in the 21st century since without proper instruction on how to use this equipment the equipment itself would be useless. The National Science Teachers Association offers several ideas on incorporating literacy into a science classroom. They suggest using 4 non-textbook readings a year, having students do research on a scientist of their choice and presenting a project about the scientist , or even allow them to read a fictional science book and research the science behind it to see how probable it may be. I found these to be some very good ideas for incorporating literacy into my classroom.
Reference:
National Science Teachers Association - NSTA. (2006, January 16). Literacy in Science: A Natural Fit. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=51459
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI really like the ideas and resources that you come up with! I didn't think about how discussion boards need to be incorporated into literacy instruction. I agree that teaching them digital citizenship skills while doing these is important. I also think students should be encouraged to use academic language on discussion boards.
I hadn't thought about the literacy implications in using Vernier equipment either. Any sort of new program in the sciences is going to require literacy instruction. Since programs are constantly changing, this is going to be an ongoing process.
I also really like that you specifically looked for ways to incorporate literacy into the science curriculum through a science association! That was a really good idea! I will have to check out NSTA in the future for ideas.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteRe: “The National Science Teachers Association offers several ideas on incorporating literacy into a science classroom. They suggest using 4 non-textbook readings a year, having students do research on a scientist of their choice and presenting a project about the scientist , or even allow them to read a fictional science book and research the science behind it to see how probable it may be.”
I was really interested in what you had to say about this subject matter when it comes to science. This upcoming school year I will be teaching science for the first time, and I am a little nervous about it. Since I have taught reading for the last 16 years, I think I will be very comfortable incorporating these suggested Literacy 2.0 skills in science in this manner. I like the idea of having students choose 4 non-textbook readings. This lends itself very nicely for differentiated learning. We are also implementing project based learning in the subjects of science and social studies next year, and these strategies will allow students to explore science in ways that interest them. It will also be easy to incorporate digital tools to allow students to explore and create. Any type of research and displaying that information would always be beneficial for students, and a great way to incorporate literacy skills in content areas.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of the idea of being literate and how it applies to math and science. To me, literacy has always been about language arts things such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar, etc. I of course understood how these things could be incorporated into math and science, but not as fully as you have helped me understand. I've also realized how important digital literacy is, and I think we both hit on why that is important in our posts.
It really stuck out to me when you said, "In order to use these tools, students must understand how to read the graphs and interpret the information". This made me think of literacy in a way I have never thought of before - reading math graphs, charts, and tables. It is still "reading", but it takes on a whole new meaning when working with higher level students in a math or science class. This made me think of how I could apply this to my students, and it made me realize that I'm teaching literacy in math even without notes and reading. I'm teaching the kids how to be literate in telling time, counting money, and reading basic graphs.
Great post!
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteYou had several ways to include literacy into the classroom that I did not think of as literacy. All the different tools that are used for collaboration are excellent uses of literacy. Additionally using Vernier equipment and students must interpret information. I like the ideas you received from the National Science Teachers Association on ways to incorporate literacy into your classroom. I think the point of 4 non-textbook readings is a great way to incorporate literacy and could include reading science articles. Great ideas on how to incorporate literacy into the science classroom.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteRE: “In my science classroom, student can be found using your variety of communication tools. Students can be found working collaboratively through Google Drive on a project or a whole class presentation in which each student prepares and edits a few slides. Students also use the discussion boards provided in Schoology to communicate with one another and to communicate with the instructor.
These instructional practices promote literacy and contribute to the development of future-ready learners. Communication and collaboration are important in all instructional areas because they are closely tied to success in life. Visit a job site like https://www.indeed.com/ and do a search for communication and collaboration. You will find thousands of employers in every field seeking those skills.
Dr. Dell