New Literacies: The Big Shifts

1. Open Content
One advantage of "open content" is that teachers now really do have the tech piece that can organize their content from multiple sources so that it is well-coordinated. One possible disadvantage - checking the source of materials/documentation so that it is accurate!

2. Many, Many Teachers and 24/7 Learning
Collaboration has just increased even if only through shared information which should have a very positive result in increased student learning! Learning can occur in smaller pieces, become more durable and therefore will benefit in results now without waiting "til next year" to try out the new strategy!

3. The Social, Collaborative Construction of Meaningful Knowledge
Because there are many teachers who have not yet embraced teacher collaboration, this is an area where there is work "to be done"! I believe the Iowa Core work may be one area where teachers can begin to expand their collaboration outside their geographical area to determine how best to meet student needs and as with 1 and 2 above,student learning will be the victor! For students, I truly believe that there will be opportunities for more "works in progress" as well as evidence of subsequent learning rather than the previous emphasis on formal papers, etc.

4. Teaching is Conversation, Not Lecture
Students have to become "active pearticipants in the design of their own learning" and that begins at the top in all organizations and schools including the DE! A lecture via podcast is still a lecture!

5. Know "where" Learning
I hope this creates the biggest shift for students. So much of the "rote memory" stuff like states and capitals still fills my brain and it's sad because that brain space is limited. Knowing how and when as well as where to access information is so valuable! And that's without tackling the designated QUALITY of the information or source!

6. Readers are no longer Just Readers!
Social Studies textbooks have already taught us not to be passive about the content that's included when truth and accuracy are used as filters. The veracity of the information on the Web is going to be a major concern for a long time!

7. The Web as Notebook or Portfolio
Organization! How do we get all the info organized and annotated??? I do think we will be more creative in our applications. But students need to be encouraged to sustain longer periods of attention. It's not OK to believe that students in HS can only pay attention for 3 minutes. That attention span will not allow them to be productive wage earners in today's economy!

8. Writing is No Longer Limited to Text
Writing is evidenced in the planning of audio and video "products" as few students can "effectively put all the components together" without some preplanning or evidence of reading and writing. Visual images will play a greater role in the future as we continue to expand our literacy curriculum.

9. Mastery is the Product, Not the Test
With the exception of "accountability tests" there should be more emphasis on "what have you learned and how do you know that you have learned something - that old, 'what's your evidence for being convicted guilty of learning/' will play a larger part as we consider more rigorous and relevant learning (quadrant D) for all students.

10. Contribution, not Completion is the Ultimate Goal
Google.doc can easily be used by partners or a small group to show their progress or thinking. The teacher doesn't have to collect "multiple drafts" including "an outline" just to show that the student is learning. Tech should have a huge role here. After all, when is our work ever REALLY completed?