After exploring a wide range of new
technologies, I have a greater understanding of the use of multimodal texts in
the classroom. Marsh et al. (2005) found that many
teachers lack in confidence in using technologies in the classroom as they
believe that children are more advanced in using them than themselves. This is
supported by Palfrey and Gasser (2008) who identify these children as ‘Digital
Natives’ as they have grown up in a digital world therefore have the computer
skills and knowledge to use these technologies. Thus, teachers often feel
‘inadequate’ or ‘under-prepared’ to incorporate and harness new technologies in
their classrooms. However Dean (2010) believes that teachers need opportunities
to explore and discover new literacies in order to build the confidence
required to harness such technology in the classroom. Furthermore, Marsh et al.
(2005) state that teachers should have access to training and the technology to
feel more competent in using technologies with children.
Children perceive technology as a
natural part of everyday life and learning (Northcote et al. 2007) therefore it
is vitally important that teachers foster children’s digital literacy. Halsey
(2007) set up a website which uses a variety of methods to enhance children’s
motivation and enthusiasm for Literacy, including podcasts, book reviews, word
banks and e-mailing which all incorporate reading, writing, speaking and
listening.
I feel more
prepared to integrate these new technologies after having adequate time
allocated to explore and experiment with them. I felt that ‘Storybird’ could be
especially useful to enhance children’s literacy skills in story writing. This
programme enables children to create their own stories and choose images to
inspire their writing. The use of the internet and
other technologies offers a range of opportunities for fun learning and
development for children (Byron Review, 2008). Similarly, Halsey (2007) states
that technologies such as word clouds and blogs appear to provide exciting and
meaningful opportunities for children. ‘Tagxedo’ enables children to create
word clouds and is an effective way of enabling children to consolidate some of
the vocabulary they have learnt, as well as being appropriate for many subjects.
Therefore, my experience of working with
some Web2 technology has inspired me to use this in my future practice. However
I feel that having more experience with using them in schools with children would
further build my confidence.
Byron Review (2008) Safer Children in a Digital World. DCSF
Publications.
Dean, G. 'Rethinking
Literacy' in Bazalgette, C. (ed) (2010) Teaching Media in Primary Classrooms
London: SAGE
Halsey, S. (2007) ‘Embracing emergent technologies and envisioning new
ways of using them for literacy learning in the primary classroom’ English Teaching; Practice and Critique 6 (2) pp 99-107
Marsh, J.,
Brooks, G., Hughes, J., Ritchie, L., Roberts, S. and Wright, K. (2005) Digital beginnings: Young children’s use of
popular culture, media and new technologies. Sheffield: Literacy Research
Centre.
Northcote, M.,
Marshall, L., Dobozy, E., Swan, P. and Mildenhall, P. (2007) Podcasting: Links to literacy teaching and
learning. Practically Primary, 2(2),17-21
Palfrey, J. and Gasser, U. (2008) Born
Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives New York:
Basic Books
So, when I read you, in your future classroom you use only technologies? You don’t use real book, comic, text? Why do you take this choice? Because for me, the technologies are good but just a little bit not all the time. It’s good because the children can live with their time but not a lot because in their home they use it all the time: television, computer, Internet, tablet. So for me, in classroom, you must see with children real book, text, comic, material. Make some visit outside the classroom. But, now, I agree to study some applications like, you tell in your article, “Storybird”, “Tagxedo” because the children become more dependant, are active and they listen everything because they can touch and make themselves.
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