Vision for Teaching Literacy in the 21st Century

My personal teaching pedagogy is grounded in the creation of a "safe space" within my classroom.  I believe that in order for true learning to take place that I need to work with my students to create an authentic environment within my classroom where students can be comfortable with the uncomfortable. I accomplish this through a variety of classroom activities and polices, as well as incorporating food and service. This fundamental belief- that students learn best in such an environment, shapes my personal beliefs.

• I believe education is the fundamental right of every human being and it should be accessible to all - however, I also believe that the government needs to stay out of education and let free enterprise work. 
• I believe that students should develop to their own individual desire and potential. They should be respected for who they are right now, and admired for who they may become.
• I believe in using technology to benefit education, to enhance learning, not simply for the sake of using technology.
• I believe that there is no "one way" to teach; each professor and each class is unique and should be respected. 
• I believe that in order to be the best professor I can be, the best person I can be, I need to commit myself to a lifetime of learning and sharing that knowledge with others.

What is Literacy?

Literacy, to be literate, is to be able to use the written and spoken word to communicate clearly within a social discourse. It's a form of power. If you can't successfully operate or navigate within your discourse, you are powerless to change it.  Street made a comment about this we he discussed teaching people to read versus teaching people to write. He commented that when we teach people to read they can only read what they have been given. When we teach people to write, they can contribute their thoughts to the world. That really had an impact on me. It made me feel greater appreciation for teaching students to write well. It helped me understand why I care so much about my job and my students.  I know that to be successful - in whatever you do - you must be heard and you must be able to contribute to the discussion going on. Teaching students to think critically, teaching them to use language to communicate effectively - in a way that can be understood - truly helps every aspect of their life.  It makes a difference, and maybe when my students begin to use their  power to make a difference, then I do too.

Going Tech Free

For part of my Technology & Literacy class, we were assigned to go tech free. Yes, I'm in the midst of a demanding PhD program, yes, I'm 1,000 miles away from my 5 children, and yes, I was not very excited about this, but yes, I did attempt it.  I decided to undertake this gargantuan task on Saturday. Knowing the kids would be at their dad's, I hoped my absence wouldn't be felt quite as much. That wasn't the case. I found that I needed to talk with them every bit as much as they needed to talk with me. Interesting. Here are some other more interesting things I learned from this process:

• I use technology more than I think. The apartment felt empty without music playing. Once "in the groove" with my work I didn't miss it as much, but as I emerged from periods of intense concentration I found myself distracted with outside noises and it seemed to take longer for me to get back into submerged concentration.
• I found that without getting sidetracked in the morning with emails and assignments, I was able to enjoy a guilt-free walk. Knowing I wasn't "allowed" to use technology I thought a walk was in order.  Until, however, I couldn't listen to music.  My walk was definitely shorter and slower then originally planned, but it was a good time to think.
• I still love to read books. I spent some time reading a book I brought with me and enjoyed curling up on the sofa to read it for a bit.  If I would have had a cat or dog to snuggle up next to me it would have been perfect.  And maybe a little music playing.
• I might have an amazon.com addition. Perhaps. Maybe. sigh.

I journaled the actual experience, here's how it went:

9:21 am – I’ve decided to modify this assignment to fit my reality.  Being a single mom of five kids more than 1,000 miles away, I’m not willing to tell them they can’t text me or Skype me when they miss me or need to talk with me. So, I’ve decided to fast from social media and technology for entertainment/purchases.  This should help me be more productive in my coursework today, as well as help my budget.

9:47 am – just finished a hilarious text chain with my sister, so I guess I’m adding my siblings and mom to the list of people it’s ok for me to communicate with technologically.  I know; I’m really pushing the boundaries of this assignment.

10:03 am – trying to work without Spotify.  Really hard.  I like listening to music while I read/write.  Opened up the windows. It’s gorgeous outside and I’m hoping the breeze and birds chirping will help me stay focused (and that the cars passing by and sirens blaring won’t be too distracting).

12:01 pm – Surviving. I’m working on a paper so I’m online referencing articles, but I’m avoiding FB and other social websites. I have accessed email to reply to a message from a professor and to reach out to a colleague regarding the paper I’m writing, but I’m trying to “limit enjoyment,” which seems like a really odd thing to do. Yes, I’m using technology, but not having any fun which means that I must be doing this assignment “right.”   Hmm.  I think I could write another paper just on that.

4:40 pm – Just got back from a trip to Wal-Mart. Had to use my ATM card, so I’ve used technology again. But I did didn’t enjoy – in fact, it caused me great pain – so that doesn’t count then, right?  I’ve been pretty productive, I’ve worked on my paper for Bizzaro’s class. It’s morphing into a bigger paper then he assigned, but I like where it’s heading. I’ve used JSTOR and EBSCO to find the supporting articles I need, but I haven’t used any social media or general news sites or just surfed the web to find information on whatever thought or curiosity peaks my attention.  In some ways it’s good, enabling me to focus, but in other ways it’s just annoying.

5:27 pm – and the unofficial technology fast is officially over. My asthma is acting up and I had to order a nebulizer from Amazon now so it could be here Monday. This shortness of breath is driving me crazy.

The technology fast was easy in some respects, and hard in others.  It was easier to focus on my work knowing that I couldn’t get distracted over FB or just surfing the web for whatever thought fluttered past my mind. But it was hard too. I missed listening to music while I read and write (Spotify is back on, ahh). I’m so used to having any information I need at my fingertips it was frustrating to not be able to access it.  And, let’s fact it, I couldn’t/wouldn’t even consider cutting-off myself from my kids, so yes, I think it’s quite safe to say that I incorporate technology in almost every aspect of my life and I miss it when it’s gone.

808 The Time Machine

Yesterday we compared the 1960 version of The Time Machine to the 2002 version. The differences between the two accent the dramatic impact technology has had on our culture over the past 40 years (and even more so in the 13 years since). 

I remember, back in the "olden days" when computers were large enough to require entire rooms. My boyfriend in high school had a job working nights. Each night the company would back up their computer systems. He would have to change the tape (magnetic tapes?) when they became full. In between changes, he work on his homework.  Ironically, today we can back up our data onto a thumb drive whenever we wish in a few seconds, yet I never can seem to remember to do this.  

Our relationship with technology has changed from a cold, dark tool used to process information to highly personalized parts of us.  The iPhone has frequently been called "cute" and are customizable both from apple, as well as individually manufactured cases. People feel lost without their SmartPhone and use them to really function in today's world.  They have become a part of us - causing panic when one thinks they might have misplaced it - or, gasp - left it at home which naturally means they must immediately leave and go get it.

I can't really criticize too much about using technology. This summer we experienced a significant loss when the grad student staple, Giant Eagle, closed. Lost with no convenient place to shop for groceries or sushi, we are consoling our selves in knowing that amazon prime is only a click away. While they won't deliver fresh sushi to us, they will at least, deliver the staples we need to get us through.

Summer 2 in the IUP PhD program.