Through reading this article I agree that digital technology and digital rhetoric both play important roles in helping students to learn and growth both inside and outside the classroom. Unfortunately due to financial problems today in society there are a lot of schools that have a hard time making sure that classrooms are equipped with current media programs and tools that can be used, like Smart Boards.
The article also touches on the fact that students can not just be exposed to digital technology or digital literacy. They have to know the importance of it and the role that it will play in their daily lives. I found this interesting because if students feel that there is a true purpose or reason they will be more eager and willing to use it. This can be seen with twitter, facebook, my space, and even texting.
In addition, the article points out that the process of writing has been changed due to the fact that digital technology and digital rhetoric has developed, is growing, and being utilized on a continuous basis. This is one of the main reasons why people need know the importance and implications of it. By this happening not only are they able to use it, but they are able to use it with both purpose and meaning.
Dancing
14 years ago
“… if students feel that there is a true purpose or reason they will be more eager and willing to use it.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that students put more eager and willing when they know that it is useful for them. They want to learn “things” which they can use in their private life and not only for school. I had always problem to learn math because I always asked myself “How I can apply this to my life later?”
Teachers have to explain to the students why or how they can use the new information in their life and how they can benefit from these new abilities. Making learning meaningful is the best strategy/method to encourage students to study hard.
Ayse
I agree with your first statement about how financial problems affect technology in the classrooms. I had done my student teaching in a school in the projects in Harlem. The students weren’t allowed to take textbooks home, the computers they had were from the nineties, internet connection was slow and any form of advanced technology was almost nonexistent. Even if teachers used their own computers in the classroom, the restrictions on the internet were so vast that it was difficult to use it. Attempting to make education relevant and a part of the digital community was incredibly arduous.
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ReplyDeleteNatasha, I fully agree with you that funding is still an obstacle in ways of progressing either academically or in any other aspect of life. Fortunately, at very low prices, technology and the digital world themselves can be very helpful in sense of solving the funding issues, by for example advertising on certain websites( I don't know the names but google can help), and asking volunteers to donate. Each school can also have a website to introduce its functions, goals, etc. and devote a part to its needs. All they need to do is make their website known to the public, and certain organization which can be done by the staff, students, etc. There are organizations, and donators who are more than willing to help academic centers. There are definitely easier ways also, which I will share with you as soon as they cross my mind. I am so pressed for time now to take the train and be on time for the class.
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