New Literacies In Education

1. New Literacies In Education By: Christina Stymfal Lianne Fitzgerald Suk T Hong Victoria Louise Leon

2. Online Classes “E-learning” or electronic learning was the common name before “online classes”. The Beginning of E-Learning Distance and E-learning are becoming more vital each year in the world of higher education. Although E-Learning began several years ago there have been many improvements to benefit learning activities in academics. This site shows the movement before the 1920s. http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/idhistory/before1920.html By 2006 nearly 3.5 billion students were participating in online learning in the United States. Examples that are familiar at the University of Arizona: the use of Blackboard and Desire 2 Learn (D2L)

3. Online Classes Pros Cons Online classes prevent the ability of face to face interaction. The lack of social aspects (classroom interaction, one on one time with the professor). Most forms of communication are written. Self-paced. You are responsible for checking online to make sure assignments are due by the deadline. Possible feelings of isolation of questions or technical issues appear in the class. • Convenience: learning sessions are available 24/7. • Increased access: students have the ability to learn from professors in various places in the country. • Instant feedback. • Easier for discussions because there is more student-to-student interaction. • You can decide when to complete assignments and readings .

4. Blogging Blog is a type of website, maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary or other material such as graphics or videos. Used in education to: • help students clearly express ideas • encourage communication within a blogging community (or online class) Examples: blogger.com & wordpress.com

5. Pro’s: Easy way to create a class website Students gain feeling of ownership Easy for instructor to know what students think and feel about the class Easy way to practice and improve writing skills Con’s: Takes time to keep blog updated Students may not blog if they are not required to May be difficult for students with lower computer skills Could encourage sloppy writing habits similar to email and instant messaging Blogging

6. E-books • E-books are electronic versions of regular books that can be purchased as cd’s or even purchased online in a downloadable format and viewed on a computer or a handheld device that supports the file • E-books can even be used for textbooks for college students • Some sites that offer ebooks: www.ebooks.com www.gutenberg.com Picture taken from http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=2619

7. E-books Pros Cons Must have access to a handheld device which supports ebooks or a computer Do not have a hard copy of the text Cannot be sold back for a fraction of the original price • Easily accessible from any computer • Can search for a specific word in the entire text • Minimizes the weight of carrying around multiple books

8. Smart Board A Smart Board is an electronic whiteboard that projects information from a computer screen and allows teachers and students to interact with the information on the screen. Used in education to: • Providevisual aids to help in teaching • Allows teachers to write out information similar to writing on a whiteboard • Makes accessing and displaying information through computer resources easier • For ideas on using Smart Boards go to: • http://www.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WIT/smartboard/specificapps.htm

9. Smart Board • Pros • Cons • This is a fun and interesting way to present information to a classroom. • Use of this equipment allows for the teacher to present information using computer resources while in front of the classroom. • All work can be saved to reference at a later date or to be sent with students who missed the ending. • Includes the ability to use multiple colors and to remove any unwanted marks. The equipment necessary for using a smart board, including the board, the projector, and the wiring, may cost upwards of $2500 or more. Sometimes it is very difficult to write legibly on the board. Standing in front of the screen to write may cast a shadow across the information projected on the board. Use of this technology requires teachers to be proficient with using the equipment.