Merging Technology and Literacy in Primary Classrooms Emergent Technoliteracy Christine Sullivan

Technology Advancements Technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid rate. We are racing towards the future, preparing children for jobs that don’t even exist yet. Classrooms today are preparing students for tomorrow. Text 18 th Century 1960s/1990s 1991/Today

A Digital World Children today have been born into a digital world. When was the last time someone: - adjusted the tracking on a VCR? - used correcting fluid? - sent film out to be developed? - used a pay phone? Digital Natives Many children are surrounded by technology from their youngest years. - 70% of preschool children have used a computer. - 56% have used a computer by themselves. - 40% can load a CD-ROM by themselves. Growing Up in a Digital World

Digital Natives

Why does technology benefit emergent literacy? Technology in Primary Classrooms “Literacy development is driven by meaning-making” (McKenney & Voogt, 2012). Children derive meaning from symbols, whether it be alphabetic print or computer icons. In studies by Levy (2009) and Wolfe & Flewitt (2010), emerging readers were able to decode signs and symbols on the computer screen and derive their meaning. Technology can also be used to generate meaning. Children can create authentic and personal multimedia compositions. MEANING-MAKINGPLAY Learning today is inherently social. Through social interaction, young children learn cooperation, communication, and collaboration – important skills for the 21 st century. Students can communicate and create collaborative projects via technology. Students use social New Media Literacies of Collective Intelligence, Networking, and Negotiation. Social interaction and playing with technology can motivate students through engaging them with literacy. SOCIAL PRACTICE Play is engaging and motivating, and “it is the dominant medium for early childhood learning” (McKenney & Voogt, 2009). Children learn through exploration and social interaction that involves play. Literacy can be achieved through many means. Different types of literacy can be learned – such as technology literacy. Play is a New Media Literacy. It is the best way to learn technology, and merging technology and literacy learning allows many types of “play” to take place

Classroom Technology Center Implementing Technology Computers should be available for student use. Exploration and collaboration should be encouraged. Portable devices, like iPads, are popular technology tools. Research has shown the benefits of multimedia software. Headphones, microphones, scanners, and printers are useful. A list of approved internet resources gives students safe choices. E-books are engaging and have shown high rates of success

What can they be used for? Classroom Computers PowerPoint can be used for more than just presentations. With PowerPoint, teachers can make a variety of interactive and engaging quizzes and games. POWERPOINT WebQuests are inquiry-oriented lessons that emphasize higher-order thinking. They focus on information use rather than information gathering. WEBQUESTS Blogs are ways to share information with students, parents, and the school community. Blogs can be created by teachers and/or students. BLOGS

E-books (electronic books) give young students individualized and highly engaging reading instruction. They can be read from a computers, e-book readers, tablets, or smartphones. Students are motivated to read them because e-books: have sound and animation. allow students to read independently. have interactive features. provide immediate feedback with multimedia-based post-activities. give students a collection of choices at their fingertips. E-Books Motivating and Engaging Readers

SmartBoards and other “touch” technology Blackboard vs. Whiteboard vs. SmartBoard SmartBoards, like smartphones and tablets, are based on “touch” technology and can utilize a variety of interactive, multimedia features. They work well for students with different learning styles and encourage participation. There are websites that offer free teacher- created lessons for use. Tablets, Smartphones, and iPods These mobile devices offer portability and can hold a large amount of data in a small size. Students can use these to do a variety of activities…

Oral Language Practice with Voice Recording and Video Conferencing Reading E-Books Practicing Spelling and Sight Words with Apps Documenting Learning Responding Via Social Media Writing Stories QR Codes iPad Literacy Tablet Technology

QR stands for “Quick Response.” When scanned, these codes can instantly access , documents, websites, and video. Use these codes to link students to: Teacher to send classwork or homework. Websites to research for writing. Answers to questions. Extension activities. Use them to link parents to: Class blog. Teacher for questions. Pictures or videos of student work. More about QR Codes What can they be used for?

What are the challenges? Limitations Setting up new technology is expensive. Funding for schools in needed to give students access to new media. This challenge is especially problematic for low-income areas, which would benefit the most from classroom technology access. COST Some teachers have a narrow view of literacy and don’t feel that technology is particularly useful. Other teachers acknowledge the benefits, but feel inexperienced and unable to implement technology effectively. It is critical for teachers to have support. TEACHER ATTITUDE & EXPERIENCE The research was relatively new; all authors call for more investigation into the field. This area of education needs further study. NEW RESEARCH

How can we overcome the challenges? Suggestions Teachers have successfully written grants to fund school technology. There are also low-cost alternatives (SmartBoard  $1000; WiiMote  $50), free e-book websites, and apps. COST Teachers need training and the support of administration. If teachers can see the use in their classroom and experience success with their students, they will be more likely to use technology in their classroom. TEACHER ATTITUDE & EXPERIENCE Educational technology is a fast-growing field and new research is coming out as fast as new technology is being developed. NEW RESEARCH

Last Thoughts… “Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” © 2001 Mark Prensky ”Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants” “If all children are to achieve their full capabilities as members of a society in which knowledge and communication are highly prized commodities, then all children need opportunities to become proficient or ‘literate’ in their uses of new media” (Wolfe & Flewitt, 2010).