Week 2 - Blog Posting #3 - Media Literacy

"In the 20th century, literacy meant the ability to read, write and present cogent arguments on paper. In the 21st century, literacy is going to extend well beyond that and into what could be termed, a language of screens." (Barish, 2002)”

This quote really hit home to me and probably does for many other teachers out there also. A while back I was digging though my old papers from school that my Mom had kept. I found a story I had written in 2^nd grade that turned out to be an Honorable Mention in our Young authors contest. Now mind you, I was in 2^nd grade only 18 short years ago. I was SHOCKED at the writing I had produced then and what was actually looked at as good writing, a Young Authors Honorable Mention at that. I shared my writing with my 2nd grade students and asked them what I would think if they turned something into me that was this poorly written. They just giggled, didn’t say much so they didn’t hurt my 2^nd grade writer feelings. What Im getting at is the expectations of these 21^st century children are astounding. Honestly as a 2^nd grade teacher and comparing material to my 2^nd grade, Im actually teaching 4^th grade material. School, expectations, and skills have all gotten higher and harder. The 11 skills that Henry Jerkins mentioned are just examples of how we 21^st educators are expecting more out of our students. But I believe these expectations are easier to succumb because of the use of technology today.

When reading an article about schools upgrading their curriculum standards, The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), has taken an initiative to change their standards to better prepare their students for the 21^st century. Such changes are using technology in new ways, offering more computer usage in courses, integrating instruction, and doing more together like participating in distance learning. This is just one of examples of how education is changing to prepare kids for the future.

Sources:

http://www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa/Resources/ContinConv/21CenturyLearners.htm

Education World-Technology Standards K-12- http://www.education-world.com/standards/national/technology/k_12.shtml