Week 6: 2:1 Assignment

Middle School Science Teachers’ Confidence and Pedagogical Practice of New Literacies provides a concise overview of the use of new literacies and how teachers see the benefits of using technology but many teachers shy away from implementing technology within the classroom. According to the article, “Even though teachers are encouraged to integrate ICTs,the current teachers’ use of technology is usually limited to support their personal communication and classrooms, I’ve noticed students comment on their everyday use of technology and how it plays an intricate role in their communications with their family and friends.

There are several free social media websites in which teachers can utilize to conduct fun and engaging lesson plans such as “Edmodo, eChalk, Blackboard, and Schoology. Within the classrooms I shadow, BrainPop is a popular function when we are conducting station learning. In addition, study island is a program used within the school to monitor individual performances. This program gives teachers a clear overview of a student’s performance and provides monitoring of their changes throughout the year. These performance monitors can also be shared with parents as mentioned in the Using social networking sites to Facilitate teaching and learning. “Modify assignment instructions, correspond with parents about specifics in their child’s turned-in or posted work, remind students about important events”. Once teachers let down the wall and provide alternatives for students to obtain internet usage, technology can be a significant tool that bridges the gap between the learning process.