The theory that was imbedded in the ‘classical’ education in many ways can be read as faulty – this is true of a great deal of the theorums of modernity that ordered the world – but I guess I get nervous that the baby has been thrown out with the bathwater (and this concern, in particular, very much does stem from my own thesis work concerning the modernity ). I guess I would be more comfortable/less uneasy if students were clearly embedded in an educational system that not only saw value in drawing on theoretical theorums (which they do now), but also saw value in teaching students what those theorums were, why they were, and how to question them. Students already do some of this, but oftentimes in reaction to the expressions of the teaching theory – they have to guess at the actual guiding principles behind education.

Once students grasp the educational and broader theories that drive how they are taught to engage with media, they develop a skill-set that extends well beyond the tool, skill, or efficiency, and experience (what I think is) an incredibly transformative element of education.

There are clearly many helpful modes of approaching education (and I want to note that I wasn’t in any way trying to suggest that you lack a cohesive education philosophy or anything like that) but when I hear about ‘digital literacies’ and other ‘brands’ of literacy it often seems that educators speak about the need to ‘prepare’ students for the workforce by focusing on skills and data. A core complaint from employers is that students don’t know enough ‘real world things’ and so educational systems are shifting to produce workers that are intended to meet social labor demand (at least this is my experience in the University system). That seems to be a somewhat poor way of reorienting an eduational system, and a way that is very much at odds with the valorized ‘classical liberal education.’

I just put together a post on literacy that builds on this a bit on my edublog, you might find it interesting.

“Literacy is about being able to make sense of the world we live in”

and if we are concerned with learners making sense of their world we need to make sure we teach them literacy skills that are pertinent to the world they live in.

A great man once said…learn the way they live…

Completely agreed. Literacy is so multi-faceted now, that it would do damage to think of them separately (despite the word choices of my comment). Instead, we have to emphasize that a literate person is one who is proficient at all of these and can use them interchangeably and appropriately.

As important as the proficiency is of course the ability to recognize and CHOOSE appropriately – take texting language for example.

Literacy is about being able to make sense of the world we live in. It’s why I’m “literate” in English, but not literate in Thai. And it’s why so many are still not literate online.

Thanks for reading!

With Voice Thread, getting the students to practice their oral skills using a different format other than a standard digital voice recorder, while responding to topics of interest to them. As for the blog, much the same; guiding them with topic to which to respond in writing, while also getting them to take some ownership and post material of their own.

At least, this is what I have in mind, while I am more refreshed.:) We’ll see what the new year brings when it arrives.

I am interested in exploring Photo Story. I think the students would like posting photos – their own or from sites such as Flickr, and creating stories in Spanish. Thank your for mentioning Photo Story.

I think that much of my reluctance is fear. No, really. I need to increase my own comfort level in learning alongside the students.