This week, we read about developing socially just subject-matter into our instruction as well as the importance of critical digital literacies. Avila and Pandya discuss the effect critical digital literacies have on students in which they become critical thinkers that are able to question the world around them. Moje argues that to teach in a manner that produces social justice as well as to teach in socially just manners, the subjects deemed valuable by the students must be acknowledged as well as valued, through this, students can learn the importance of each subject as well as they develop the tools to be successful in those domains.
As technology has advanced, so has its influence in the classroom. Schools are using learning management systems like Blackboard, Schoology, and Google Classroom to name a few. There are also different ways to present lessons: Powerpoint, Pear Deck, Prezi, etc. Tablets and laptops are a popular thing now too. All of these are gateways to digital instruction that also lead to engaging and exposing students to critical digital literacies. These new created gateways are able to reach a larger range of learners too. Avila and Padya mention that “critical digital literacies have the potential to reach learners who might be otherwise reluctant to engage in print-based critical literacies work” (pg. 3). Now visual and kinesthetic learners have videos, pictures, and interactive applications they can manipulate. In class, we’ve also been discussing different literary texts where these digital literacies help expand that as well. Also, these critical digital literacies open up the doors for students to become more creative and take charge of their learning. This then breaks that divide between teacher and student, and levels the playing field. Avila and Padya write, “educations and learners often share the roles of experts and teachers, and when students lead, they define participation itself.”
Because technology is advancing quickly, it can be hard to keep up with, but that doesn’t mean we should be afraid of it. I’ve gone to a professional development where I was introduced to different technologies that can be used in the classroom such as online programs for assessing like Socrative and Kahoot, extensions like Screencastify, add-ons like Flubaroo and Doctopus. I also met teachers there who even use something as simple as creating videos that are posted on their class website or youtube. Living in a digital world where even my 9 year old brother knows how to navigate tech more easily than I can, goes to show that we can’t shy away from utilizing tech in the classroom. It’s something we need to embrace.
As for Moje, I want to pay special attention to the following: “culturally responsive, or socially just/social justice, subject-matter pedagogy could be thought of in three—not mutually exclusive—ways: (a) as a bridge from everyday knowledge and practice to conventional content learning, (b) as a way to teach skills for navigating cultural and discursive communities, and (c) as a way to teach students how to challenge and reshape the academic content knowledge of the curriculum” (pg. 5). I think through these ways, you’re creating an environment of learning in which students question, challenge, and reconstruct their own knowledge as well as the new information they are being presented with. We’ve discussed the importance of not teaching students to “be historians/mathematicians/scientists, etc” but to teach them the value and skills to be successful in those domains. Ultimately, teaching them culturally responsive subject-matter pedagogy based off of the students interests, you’re engaging the students as well as teaching them the value in their learning.
Furthermore, taking subject-matter pedagogy and combining it with critical digital literacy can be a powerful thing. By creating a curriculum that is centered around the students as well as using digital literacies, you’re creating an environment in which the students are the leaders of their learning. Isn’t that the point? Don’t we want our students to be critical of their environment and grab the bull by the horns, so to speak?
I do agree with you that it would be very powerful to combine those two. That would create a school experience made for students. Using technology in the classroom is also great thing because it opens up so many opportunities. There are lots of websites ans tools like you were listing off. Using technology also opens up the world for students who have trouble otherwise. Students who have learning disabilities or others gain a tool to use to be on the same ground as their other classmates. It is easier to share and manipulate subject matter with students when they are all connected.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comment!
DeleteI liked that you described it as a tool any student can use, because that's really like what it is! There's so much tech out there designed for students in the classroom so it really reaches a large range of learners. I think it also lets students take charge of their learning. They're manipulating the subject matter, they're researching, they're learning, they're engaged. I think that's the most important thing.
Hello, it is truly important to bring social justice into education; this can engage students to learn when they feel that their interest are involved into their learning. Also, since technology has became a major role in society, especially for children, its need to be appropriately incorporated into lesson plans. Some students might learn best with technology such as multimodal text, video, pictures, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
DeleteReading your response made me remember an annual event here in Chicago: Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair. It's an amazing all day event where teachers from all over the city share how they've incorporated social justice into their curriculum. It's coming up next month actually. I highly reccomend it!
I think we do need more digital media use in the classroom and I looked at the examples you gave (thank you for that). I think one question we should keep in mind is the kinds of classrooms you have the capability of doing that in. Not all students will have access to a computer at home or maybe even in the classroom, but they all have a cell phone. Modifying the medias to the needs of your classroom is an important part of this discussion that I think we are missing. -Kiley
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comment!
DeleteThe same thought occured to me as well. There are schools or classrooms that are fortunate enough to have a class set of ipads, tablets, laptops, but like you said, not many have that. Many teachers fundraise for those devices in order to but them since tech is more in demand than ever.