According to Cynthia L. Selfe in her article “Literacy and Technology Linked: The National Project to Expand Technological Literacy,” technological literacy–meaning computer skills and the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity, and performance–has become as fundamental to a person’s ability to navigate through society as traditional skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic. If this is true, technological literacy needs to be taught in schools as aggressively as language arts and mathematics. Along with aiding traditional literacy instruction, computers can reduce unnecessary labor associated with writing and alleviate teacher workloads as well.
Students working with laptops in the Classroom
In 1993, an official national challenge to expand technological literacy was launched in America’s schools, homes, and workplaces, called the Technology Literacy Challenge. If students’ technological literacy becomes strong and more advanced, they will have a greater opportunity for good jobs with higher incomes in the future. Rather than being stranded with only traditional literacy training, they will fit into a world that runs on technology.
“Literacy instruction is now inextricably linked with technology,” says Selfe. The solution is simple, right? If computers are integrated into school curriculums, students will be given the technological instruction they need to survive in a world that cannot function without computers. If only it were that easy. Although 98 percent of all schools own at least some computers (Coley, Crandler, and Engle 29) there are many minority and low socioeconomic educational institutions that cannot afford any or enough computers for their students. Also, the more computers are integrated into schools and curriculums, the more students will have a need for computers in their homes, another costly expense for families.
It seems to me that the problem with the Technology Literacy Challenge, is that it is not hitting the places that need the most help. Although some Americans have benefitted, it has not benefitted all students, such as poor students or colored students who do not have sufficient text books, let alone computers in their schools. I believe this project to expand technological literacy should benefit those with the most need first, before those students who may already have access to computers in their own homes. My suggestion…work from the bottom up.
Above picture was taken from http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event.php?eventID=11
sandon48
ahenle97
shawb89
brittstahl
snyder47
Carrotsticks
{ September 21, 2009 @ 4:40 pm } · { Uncategorized }
{ Tags: carrotsticks, comment, students, teacher, website } · { Comments (2) }
So I recently received a comment on my post “Inevitable Technology” from a user named Pete on WordPress.
“This is a great post! We recently co-founded CarrotSticks (http://www.carrotsticks.com) to help make math practice more fun and social for young students. The response we’ve gotten from classrooms has been phenomenal–it’s great to see kids engaging with each other and getting excited about math!
We’re also big fans of Dreambox, HeyMath and SmartyCard!”
Of course this intrigued me; hence I checked his recently created website.
I did a little demo version that was free. I was able to create and personalize my own little character and then we went on to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems together. Each of the four categories is divided into 25 levels “designed by doctoral students at the Stanford School of Education to emphasize specific skills and concepts” (www.carrotsticks.com). The games are mostly geared towards 2nd to 4th graders and involve “solving math problems, step by step, in a uniform way. Through repeated practice, CarrotSticks kids build valuable speed and ‘muscle memory,’ both of which are keys to success in mathematics” (www.carrotsticks.com ). There is also an option to challenge other students online. But everything is safe and child-friendly. Participants do not disclose their full names and there is no option to “chat” with other users. It is a fun way for kids to get excited about math, just like Pete said in his comment. The website is also suggested to parents for the summer instead of hiring a math tutor for their children. Unlimited play is only $19.00 dollars. The best part- teachers can use this website for free in their classrooms. So for all you teachers (and future teachers like me) out there, keep this website in mind!
Above blog used www.carrotsticks.com for reference.
Thanks Pete!
Carrotsticks game for students
picture taken from http://21.media.tumblr.com/ScMIYqIPFpq2l99lnHS1LqJMo1_500.png