New “ Literacies ” in School’s Today

1. New “Literacies” in School’s Today Group 2 Megan Haddad, Cassandra Mele, Danielle Rubin, Meghan Wagner, Conan Amituanai

2. The SMART Board The “SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard developed by SMART Technologies,” which allows both students and teachers to experience technology on an advanced level in order to improve learning. How it Has Improved Classroom Learning From The Past * Introduces Students Technology * Provides a Fun and Exciting Way to Learn * Hands-on, visual learning * Classroom Involvement The cost of a SMART Board varies, but is often around $3,000. http://smarttech.com

3. PowerPoint PowerPoint is a Microsoft product for producing slide shows that can incorporate text, graphics, video, animations, etc. LCD / DLP projectors are known to many people as "PowerPoint projectors.“ PowerPoint is an amazing and interactive literacy (using computers) for students to learn and grasp new concepts, instead of using the same old textbooks and lectures. Teachers can insert pictures, sound effects, links to interactive websites, links to visualizing tools, different medias, and anything else that they can find on the web. PowerPoint can be bought online from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/default.aspx and depending on which version you get will determine the cost.

4. More Information On PowerPoint Students are more excited and intrigued when they can visualize a certain subject or topic instead of just having to read about it in a textbook and discuss it in class. • In PowerPoint, adding visualizations, interactive links, sounds, and special effects isn’t just easy for the teacher to compile, but it is easy for the students to understand and take a better liking to as well. • PowerPoint can help a student remember information better once they get home to do homework. For example, if they remember that the life cycle of a plant was described to them in the PowerPoint, then the teacher actually showed the class a media movie of this cycle, they are more likely to not forget that information. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/default.aspx

5. New Literacies: Myspace • Social networks, such as Myspace.com, “positively affect youth, as the outcome today is no different than that of yesteryear” (msblairrose.wordpress.com). • The ability to communicate through the media is one of the most important new forms of literacy for this century. • Some studies have shown that teens not only use their pages to gossip, but also share references, ideas, links, and original content. • Some call this form of literacy “media literacy” or “digital literacy” or just simply learning how to live in today’s society. • *Source of information : http://msblairrose.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/social-media-and-todays-youth/

6. Pop Culture’s Affect onEducation •Today’s Media alters students behavior and attitude in the classroom •New media can be used as a resource in the classroom to constructively discuss who the companies are targeting to manipulate –Teachers will be used to listen and harbor conversations that are not existing at home •Make a positive influence on the media instead of viewing the media as a negative affect on children –Help the children understand why is can be view negative –Children spend 4 to 5 hours a week with media and have no time to debrief the information

7. Pop Culture’s Affect onEducation Helpful Websites: • http://www.history.com/ classroom/medialiteracy / • http://www.aecontent.m assarted.org/?p=116 • http://www.teachersnet work.org/ntol/howto/inc orptech/uninvolve.htm

8. Computers In The Classrooms Computers in the classroom can be a motivating and powerful tool. The teacher can keep their records on it and use it as an advanced tool to contact parents. The computer can be used as a multi-media chalkboard to demonstrate concepts, writing or editing skills, or even math concepts. There is specific software that is already in use for this (ex. ClarisWorks & Graph Club). Another benefit of using computers to conduct a class is the opportunity to have live access to Internet sites that can enhance discussions or retrieve data. The computer can be connected to a TV box or even a projector that could also enhance the learning of the student. These methods are both beneficial to the teacher and the student. Both the teacher and student are exposed to a different style of learning.