6.+New+literacy+practices


 * ' **** Now ****, **** more than ever ****, **** the lives of young children are saturated with multimedia... ****' **** (Hill 2012, p. 361) **


 * ‘ **** an education system that is meaningful and relevant to the lives of young children in the 21st century is vital ****.’ **
 * (Hill 2012, p. 382) **

I have seen teachers using a variety of technology and digital media in early years classrooms quite frequently. From personal experience, the use of smart boards, ipads, computers and other such technologies can enhance children’s learning when used in an appropriate way. Time with these technologies does need to be limited, because of course students shouldn’t be taken away from reading and writing. There are many apps for the ipad/iphones, and programs for the interactive whiteboards and computers, which not only can increase learning, but can also put a focus on ‘using technologies to work together and develop team work skills, ’ (Preps go digital 2012, p. 26) friendships, sharing and communication. In my actual placement classroom I witnessed 3 prep classes with the majority of them renting ipads from the school. The teachers have all undergone specific ipad training, which helps them incorporate them into their teaching regularly. It’s vital that teachers are given proper training so that the tools are being used effectively in classrooms. The teachers spend allocated times researching new apps and discussing ways they can be weaved into the curriculum. For the children, there are many ‘games’ that are actually teaching them, without them fully being aware. For them, even the apps they know are educational, they find them fun, and take a lot out of them because they are enjoying it.
 * ==How have you seen teachers using technology and digital media in early years classrooms to enhance their literacy teaching?==

One of the main reasons technologies can be so effective within the classroom because most children are now exposed to these technologies on a daily basis (usually at home). There is a constant new influx of technologies which ‘continue to transform the lives of young children in their home’ (Hill 2012, p. 382) which is a basic fact which cannot be denied. With most children first coming into school with background knowledge on these technologies, it would be a waste not to connect with the students on this level. ‘Building on the skills and interests from home’ (Hill 2012, p. 363) in teaching can revolutionize the education system. From personal experiences, parents are often teaching their children to use technologies to entertain them while they are out, busy, or even on holidays. Children are shown from very early on in their lives how to use these technologies so students are already coming to schools with this knowledge.
 * ==How are early years literacy learners using digital technologies at home? ==


 * ==**How can learners become more critically aware when using and creating texts?**==

Learners can become critically aware by always looking into the texts that they read. To become critically aware, stduents need to be able to understand and analyse the text. Students need to be able to challenge ideas from texts and make an understanding as to why a particular text style is chosen over another, aswell as being able to understand different view points from different authors. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Hill (2012, p. ) explains that there are ways that teachers can facilitate and encourage our students to become more critically aware: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-examine the meaning within the texts <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-consider the authors motives <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-understand that texts display view points <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-challenge the ideas of the text <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-let students take a stance on issues <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">-provide students with opportunities to consider their attitudes and values



Comments: In the classroom that I visited, little technology and digital media was used. There was a group activity where the students independently worked on a program called letterland, but that was all. If we want our students to be multiliterate, meaning, “to be literate in print based and new communication technologies (Hill 2012, p. 361), we need to include them in our lessons and allow the students access them. Students are exposed to technology more than ever: computers and laptops, I pads, Phones, gaming consoles etc. By not considering these at home experiences, we are not truly uncovering their funds of knowledge, which should be the starting point.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Everyday children are exposed to a plethora of technology, from computers to iPads to smart phones. Majority of people I have spoken with reported that classes they went into had little use of technology. As technology has become such a huge part of everyday life it is vital it is included in lessons in order to allow students to learn further and to become multiliterate, that is to process multiple modes simultaneously (Bearne 2009). In the classes I went into the SmartBoard was used as a tool for the teacher in order to do mundane tasks such as mark the role or to have the date and time up. As well as this during literacy rotations students participated in an activity on a computer. <span style="color: #0900ff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Siobhan Judge

<span style="color: #18aa1c; display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">Some teachers find it very hard to incorporate and utilise technology in the classroom due to lack of training. Which is a shame, because from what I have observed it is the easiest way to get children engaged and excited about what they are learning.

<span style="color: #18aa1c; display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">On my observation rounds I saw iPads, computers and smartboards being used on a daily basis. Computer games such as Reading Eggs are fantastic because they children love sitting there and playing these games, yet they don’t even realise that they are actually learning. It’s a great way for children to revise and apply what they have already learnt to different modes, therefore giving the information more meaning. (Hill, 2006 p361)

<span style="color: #18aa1c; display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">It’s also a great tool for parents at home, as children are able to log on from home and continue to learn and work at their own pace with minimal assistance from parents. Many parents I have spoken to have also said that the amount of educational iPhone and iPad applications available for children these days makes it very easy for parents to stimulate their child’s learning at home. Children see it as ‘playing games’ and more of a reward rather than ‘doing homework.’ <span style="color: #18aa1c; display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">Emily Banfield

<span style="color: #9150e2; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">In the classroom I have observed a teacher using technology regularly. The classroom teacher uses the interactive whiteboard as a projector and will display the timetable for the day as well as the different groups for literacy. The school I observed at has recently acquired more Ipads and has been using these in the literacy program, they play games that involve spelling and they use the video on the Ipad to film plays and interviews. <span style="color: #9150e2; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">The teacher also used an interactive online quiz on the whiteboard based on what they were focussing on that week, such as adjectives. They also watched a YouTube clip by ‘school house rock’ that students really enjoyed watching. The use of technology in the classroom is very engaging; students often seemed to be learning without realising it. <span style="color: #9150e2; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">At home students of generally exposed to a lot of technology and are learning from a young age how to use it, this includes computers, laptops, phones, iPods, iPads, iPhones and more. Ashley Willis <span style="color: #f1791e; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The classroom that I visited only used projector and laptops. Projector was only used by the teacher to show short clips or demonstration. The students used laptops during literacy rotations where they had an activity to use laptops to make posters or articles. Most of students had laptops and ipad at home, which shows that they are comfortable to used technologies where other students had difficulties. It is important for teachers and parents to engage more technologies to the children. This is because as technologies are developing and became a part of our life, the children needs to learn further things about technologies and needs to become multiliterate. <span style="color: #f1791e; font-family: Georgia,serif;">ESTHER HONG