#1
This project was interesting, due to the fact that I learned a lot about social literacy, in particular how it is such an integral part of our life. What came forth during our discussion (with my group) and creating the actual project was a lot of new insights into how our "social literacy" is established. My group was discussing how we learn(ed) to text (mobile messaging as an example of social literacy), and I was surprised how much I have taken for granted, all that I have acquired over the years (through social interaction). One area which I feel I have grown significantly in is being able to recognize the varying forms of social literacy and the way that we draw upon our skills of being socially literate, in order to successfully navigate the many social structures/institutions in place. Recognizing this made me really appreciate and recognize our intellectual talents as human beings.
We created a definition for social literacy as "Having the competence to interact appropriately in society during face to face communication and also through various technological mediums". I really liked this definition, because I realized that our ability to be socially literate has a lot to do with our culture and the varying components that make up our identity. Having grown up with a parent as a teacher and now taking college courses, I recognize that a lot of my written work draws upon my exposure to an academic culture. This is part of my identity. Now, I am also in the current trend/culture of social networks (such as Facebook and Twitter). I recognize that a lot of my friends (who are literate), have a tendency to use a different form of literacy then that of my own (meaning words are shortened/slan/etc.). I do not know how they would write or create sentences in a more academic setting, but my voice on social networks is more academic. I know when people speak two different languages it's referred to “code switching” when they go back and forth from native to second language while speaking. I have the ability to "code switch" to speak while engaging in discourse on social networks. This is the social competence that we referred to in the definition. But I also recognize that a lot of young men that I work with in the Lansing area do not have these skills. They speak like how they "tweet" or "facebook". In a professional setting and they have yet to grow in their social competence, of being able to find certain types of speech as appropriate in certain settings. Now this may be that they do not have the knowledge of how to articulate themselves in an academic setting, or they just choose not to. It makes me think back to my fascination during this process of learning how to text. I was taught or created an understanding through social interaction with people that were able to text. It’s this exposure to things that leads us to an understanding in areas we once did not understand. So I wonder at times if my high school students I work with, if they have been exposed or taught to either speak or write differently in particular settings. It’s something that will continue to peak my curiousity.
Overall I feel like I will have walked away from this project with a deeper understanding and a peaked curiousity, to continue to be aware of things I take for granted (for example being socially literate). I also have such a great appreciation for the capacity of the human mind, to be able to “code switch” while interacting in various social settings. It’s a gift, one that I feel people take for granted.
#2
For my field placement this year I am in a 3rd grade classroom on the south/western side of Lansing. The location of the school itself is situated outside of two very nice neighborhoods (I actually grew up around the corner). The types of students in the school come from outside the area, so the pendulum of social status swings from lower class to middle class, with each student. One thing I would want to include in my classroom someday (I want to teach 3rd-5th) is technology. It is a vital part of our day to day interaction and will only continue to increase into the future. One thing I am also aware of is that a lot of students do not have the economic means, to access a lot of the technological tools that other students and myself have. This is not to say that I would not create an assignment (such as a Facebook), that entitles them to access a computer and internet. There are computer rooms in the school, and students are allowed the opportunity at least some point of the week to use the computer.
For the purposes of doing a project or working inside or outside the classroom on Facebook, students would need to bring to the table an understanding of several literacy’s, such as; cultural, emotional, social, and visual (to name a few). I feel that these four forms of literacy are critical in creating the type of learning community, that could make a Facebook page effective. The social and cultural understanding is going to be a part of what the students are exposed to outside of the classroom (cultural and social norms). As the facilitator of the classroom, it is my job to establish what is socially and culturally accepted. Students may think it is okay to misuse the Facebook wall, by saying obscene things, just because they know of it as being used that way by others. It is important to instill within the students the needed knowledge of how to use Facebook in an academic setting. Students need to also be conscious of other student’s emotions while engaging in discourse on Facebook. Another important aspect of being able to successfully navigate Facebook or the internet is being visually literate (the ability to look at symbols, etc.). I know in my classroom we have a smartboard, so I could model this for students, before sending them out into the computer room, or home, to get on facebook. I personally know a lot of students who do not have the resources at home, and they are not as technology savvy as other students, who can get just jump on the computer right away and whiz right through it.
Teaching students to use Facebook as a new literacy (in an academic since) would be an extended lesson. For instance, I would teach the students visual literacy first, in order to ensure they could navigate the site. Cultural, social, and emotional could all be done in one day, as each one compliments each other. I think these are still some of the most important ones, because it is through these that you are providing them with information that will not only benefit them for the purposes of the activity, but to also provide them with insights that will help in the world outside of the classroom.
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