My blogging purpose:

I have created this blog as part of a class project in my graduate studies at Central CT State University. I will continue to update my site with reflections, ideas, and findings throughout my college studies and professional experiences.
I have enjoyed the "technology" activities and adventures during this class. I am excited to pursue and enhance my knowledge with new literacies. I have been exploring more internet activities as well as software programs that allow me to develop training tools for my staff and peers. I am creating a few professional development training guides in power point with links, photos, and animated graphics. Global communication with other professionals is such an amazing amenity the internet offers.
Good luck to everyone!!!!

Reflection and goals of new literacies

Dear Dr. Kurkjian and class,

This class has brought forth many new ideas with regards to 'new literacies'. Not only have I gotten exposure to the use of the computer (power point/ excel/ email & blog typing) but also gained knowledge of the Internet and all that it encompasses; i.e. safety, search engines, webquests, projects, evaluating and creating web pages, differences/similarities of internet comprehensicross-checkingking information (accuracy) and how and where to search for this information. As I completed our activities, this allowed me to take on the perspective of the student/child. We don’t always have time to sit and really think through as a student/child and it is enlightening when I go through that process. We, as teachers, know age-appropriateness when it comes to lessons and discussions; however, to really analyze the thought process is truly informative to how we go about implementing our ‘new literacies’ lessons.

My short term goals for implementing these new literacies are to continue my study and practice in order to enhance my expertise and teaching strategies for my peers and my students. I plan to pass on my knowledge at work in the form of a professional development for other Reading Support Staff and for the classroom teachers. I will provide resources for them and encourage them to participate in some internet reading projects. I would like to have an Internet project of my own next year, as a long term goal, where I can post a collection of my students' ongoing work. I would also like to work with my district's personnel on developing and enhancing our school's web page. We have one already set-up, but not updated or enhanced with new information or visuals. Now that I have practice viewing sites with "a critical eye", I feel that I can make some significant changes and/or additions to our web page that will enhance its purpose and usability. This will in turn, encourage our school's community to be more active in using our site. I am excited to get started on these projects and I thank you for the wonderful and useful learning experiences of this class!!!! : )

More 'NEW LITERACIES' info.

Hello all,
I came across another article on NEW LITERACIES. It is in The Reading Teacher ; Vol.59, No.7 April 2006 (a journal from IRA). The author is Laurie A. Henry and she speaks of the new literacy skills and strategies that students need in order to access information on the Internet. She provides an overview of the new literacies perspective (IRA) and then uses it to illustrate how the process of searching for info. on the Internet is a complex procedure. Secondly, she oulines a framework of search skills (SEARCH) imp. to reading and then shows how this framework may be used to inform instruction of these new skills in the classroom. This article is a great read and many of the links and notations are familiar from our class. The RAND study is mentioned as well as Coiro. If you cannot access it online, or do not subscribe, let me know and I can get a copy to you.
Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!
-Vanessa

New Literacies

Hello all,
I must admit, I have been learning a lot from our study and exploration with 'new literacies'. So far, this class has exposed us to many new ways of looking at the internet as a tool in the classroom. I am very excited to put these new ideas into practice with our students. Many of them do not have access to a computer / internet on a daily basis. This means that our time with our students and the computer / internet is crucial and extremely valuable. We must use our available time wisely and to its fullest potential.
Good luck to everyone and enjoy our studies!!!!
-Ms. V.

This is my first 'blogging' experience. I think we all need a little practice.