K12 online conference on new literacy strategies for adolescents

The speaker addressed a study whereby two groups of 9th graders who were assessed as non-proficient in literacy skills were taught the same curriculum but one group had the traditional review and practice with worksheets and independent reading and the other had more technology based projects and practice. I thought it was an interesting study and one that only affirmed my belief that we have to use those technologies in the classroom that our children are using to communicate outside the classroom. In the study the technology group did podcasts instead of book reports and paper based projects like the second group. While there were signicant gains in both groups' assessment scores the technology group had a slightly better overall improvement. I think language arts is the perfect subject to have technology enhancements because each student can still really express themselves but in a digital way. There were several phrases that the presenter said that resonated with me such as "changes in literacy practices" and "new communication practices." I would like to be a teacher that really takes advantage of all the ways technology improves access to information and how each students can find their digital and valued voice. I think self-expression is a powerful tool and one that I would like my students to learn how to use in a constructive way.