Last week I admitted that I struggled to find a connection with the readings. Reading Turner and Hicks for this week helped unload some of the ideas and concepts I found overwhelming, especially as somebody with little digital/technological experience such as what they describe (blog posts, social media/Twitter, Google and all that it offers, et cetera). And by little experience, I mean as somebody who uses the technology in a way that is meaningful and carefully considered, not just as a sounding board for my personal thoughts and opinions, nor as the simple PowerPoint presentation projects or "add a link here" type thinking. I do appreciate the activities and lessons that Turner and Hicks propose as far as genuinely incorporating technology into the classroom to encourage students to become digitally aware citizens. The symbol analysis, for example, is an activity that would engage students in what they see day to day, likely stirring their interest to some degree, an...
ELA teacher candidate reflecting on education nowadays + literacy + pedagogy + social justice in the classroom + personal experiences in schools + language + why it all still matters