Weekly Reading #2

 Literacy has changed in so many ways over the years with digital technologies.  Students are being exposed to facebook and twitter on a daily basis.  Most students have cell phones even in the elementary schools.  With students being exposed to this type of multidemensional technology, they become bored with one dimensional technology.  Students that are not reachable through general text are more engaged when they are taught with multimodal methods.  Things such as youtube videos, podcasts and self running powerpoints help students to become more interested in the subject area being taught.
The DC Area Literacy Map Project was really great.  It allowed teachers to undestand literacy in different spaces and places.  It let teachers see how important it was to connect literacy to their students particular situations and locations. 
I can totally identify with the problem with the teacher "buy in."  Teachers have a hard time buying in to new technology.  We first of all dont have the funding it takes to keep up with the technology equipment that we have now.  They feel that it never works properly so why plan to use something that ultimately wont work and you just have to have a back up plan and a second set of lesson plans.

http://youtu.be/l9vG0GqpdQI

Weekly Reading #1

I would define print culture as - Print culture is all the aspects of print for communication.  From the alphabet to symbols used in todays society, such as a symbol meant to show a womens restroom. 


The benefits of print culture compared to oral and scribal culture - The main benefit is that you can have many copies of a print,  there isnt always extra copies of oral culture.  With print culture it allows authors to be defined and acknologed.   


The impact of print culture on society -  Society has grown away from alot of the print (ie newspapers)  They are growing toward more digital copies of print. 


How are changing technologies influencing print culture - People prefer more immediate communications.  They want their news fast.  They prefer to have information in places where they never used to be able to have it. 


What are the implications of these changes for learning in schools - Schools need to offer print in a variety of methods.  Students are use to playing video games and the reading in the games would be electronic.  This encourages them to read and therefore teachers need to capitolize on their interests.

Textual Lineage 3

This poem is something I as a child would have given to my second grade teacher.  She was one of the most caring people in our school.  I hold her very dear to my heart.  I hope you enjoy this little poem. Number One Teacher



Dear Mrs. Caldwell,
I'm happy that you're my teacher;
I enjoy each lesson you teach.
As my role model you inspire me
To dream and to work and to reach.



With your kindness you get my attention;
Every day you are planting a seed
Of curiosity and motivation
To know and to grow and succeed.



You help me fulfill my potential;
I'm thankful for all that you've done.
I admire you each day, and I just want to say,
As a teacher, you're number one!



By Joanna Fuchs

Textual Lineage 2

We are the world. This is a song that was playing when my daughter was born.  The words to this song give us all hope. 

http://youtu.be/ne7fPpxAnuM

Textual Lineage 1

http://www.vevo.com/watch/miranda-lambert/over-you/USRV51200001

This is such an incredible song.  Its called "Over You"  This song takes me back 15 years ago to a time when I lost my brother-in-law.  He was my best friend.  He is the one that introduced me to my husband, his brother.  It took me a long time to get over losing him. There is a line in the song that says "They say I'll be ok, I'll get over it"  Losing someone is never easy and those words are very harsh.  Yes, I am fine now and healed through helping to raise his then 6 year old daughter.

My definition of what it means to be literate.

A person must be able to communicate using a variety of different updated methods.  It is important to keep up to date with the most modern technology.  If you cannot use a computer in todays society,  you would probably be considered technologically illiterate. 

My name is Suzanne Wine, I live in Burnsville WV.  I teach Special Education at Flatwoods Elementary in Flatwoods WV.  I love pageants and festivals, live music and relaxing with family.  I am interested in learning more about using technology so that I can incorporate more technology into my gifted lessons.