Chapter 2: A Framework for Literacy 2,0 Thinking

       Chapter two: A Framework for Literacy 2.0 Thinking discusses the integration of The Common Core State Standards and technology. To my surprise all but five states in the United States follow the Common Core State Standards as the literacy curriculum standards. Within the CCSS are the English Language Arts (ELA) Standards that “define what students should understand and be able to do in reading, writing, listening, speaking, language, media, and technology by the end of each grade” (16). The ELA CCR standards state that “students employ technology thoughtfully to enhance their reading, writing, speaking, listening and language use. They tailor their searches online to acquire useful information efficiently, and they integrate what they learn using technology with what they learn offline” (17).  This really surprised me as I would have never expected media and technology to be so present in the education system that there would be requirements to be met by the yearly curriculum. As I think back to my own educational experiences I remember technology being a small part of our learning but nearly not as integrated as we see in the educational system today. Technology at that time seemed to me as something separate from school and learning and I hadn’t really noticed how much that has changed until reading this chapter and seeing how technology was prominent even in our curriculum standards.

       I was very surprised to read that “technology tools and resources can and should be integrated into the instruction of other ELA standards, even those that do not specifically state the use of media or technology” (17). Technology has become such a prominent tool in an everyday school environment that teachers should further begin to implement the use of technological tools for more than what the standards require. As teachers we should be mindful of the important role technology can and does play in a child’s learning. The TPACK or Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge framework focuses on the implication of technology and the curriculum. What surprised me the most about the TPACK is that before focusing on how to successfully mix technology and learning, we as teachers “must have knowledge of technology and its pros and cons; however, when their starting point is the literacy curriculum and appropriate instructional strategies for teaching curriculum, then the selection of technology becomes purposeful” (15). Although it is important to keep in mind how technology can benefit and overall enhance a student’s learning teachers must always keep in mind that “technology should not drive instruction; instead, the desired curricular outcomes and students’ needs should be the driving factors” (22).

       With this in mind, as teachers we need to still be warry of the importance of integrating technology into the classroom. The use of technology adds a new and different approach for students to be able to flourish in their reading, writing, and overall language. Technology allows for a new way of expression in a more private setting allowing less outgoing students to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas in a safe space, which I believe is a key learning tool. Technology and its implication in today’s Common Core is a new but important aspect to the educational system as a whole, to my surprise there are many ELA standards that incorporate the use of technology as a major tool in a student’s successful learning. Technology in our curriculum will only further increase from this point on making this chapter a very eye opening but important lesson for me.