Response to "Multiliterate Youth in the Time of Scientific Reading Instruction"

Beer's talks about the difference between "print literacy" and "digital literacy." He says that print literacy tends to take the form of public schooling while digital literacy takes place outside of the classroom. He also stresses the need for teachers and educators to close the gap between the two types of literacy. Instead of teachers restricting students to "print" literacy why can't they also promote digital literacy as a way to increase their knowledge of a certain subject. I feel that if we as educators can tap into the way students think and communicate, whether it be through art, music, photography, video, or books, we can use our knowledge on a subject or ability to research to help them. As soon as teachers and school administrators stop fighting "outside" learning in the form of technology, the sooner they can start to understand how to reach students where they are.

Response to "Teaching English Language Arts in a 'Flat' World"

This chapter was very interesting from the viewpoint that student's today will always be 'students' because the world is ever-changing. Back in the day, people would find a profession and be able to work at their job without learning anything new. Mr. Burke talks about the guest speakers he has into his classes and how everyone from the police officer to the mechanic said that they are constantly learning new things as technology and society change. Student's today need a whole different set of skills to be successful in today's world. They need to be good communicators as well as understand various aspects of technology. I think about how people can just "google" a question or piece of information instead of knowing a "professional". This makes those specialized people less necessary so student's need to be prepared to make the extra effort to be unique. This doesn't have to be just for student's but for all people. The world is always changing and we need to keep learning unless we are going to be passed up by those in our footsteps.

Response to "The Measure of Our Success"

This chapter is something all teachers should read; no matter their endorsement. The mindset that literacy means reading simple sentences and also being able to write has expired. On page 7, Beers talks about the progression of the idea of literacy from colonial America up to the end of WWII. Since then we have been in a rut and that is keeping students from reaching their full potential. In today's classrooms, schools need to understand that literacy means a whole lot more than reading and writing their names. I feel like the Technology class here at Olivet is very useful in this situation because we have been exposed to so many different mediums to teach with that students can relate as well as stay involved. We, as teachers, need to meet the students where they are at as opposed to forcing every student to attempt to learn the same way. That is why some students fall through the cracks in a school system based on lectures and tests.