Session 1, Oct. 21, 2008 discussion highlights by the PLC of 9 staff members
Discussion focused around book’s introduction, chapter 1 – web basics for critical thinking and chapter 2 – the empowered researcher
Key question raised - Do the kids know this?
Important and random ideas shared and discussed included:
Discomfort in realizing how much is not known about web – increased desire to learn more.
Kids are often naïve as are adults about assumptions regarding web use.
Currently access to computers by each separate subject teacher is what drives how computers are used – sometimes this reduces focus on getting kids ready for the process of learning/searching so that the content can be accessed in limited computer availability slots. If teams could integrate curriculum, which involves compromise as curriculum approach changes, the planning for tools to support curriculum changes, and student’s studies are validated in different ways.
Awareness of scaffolded learning important – what do elementary students coming here in grade 5 already know? Pre-test and post-test for incoming students would help establish MS needs.
Learner needs are changing from awareness of software competency to understanding of the grammar of digital literacy.
Creating glossary of terms for digital grammar would help all learners of today – adult and student. PLC teachers could offer parents some information to provide home support for their assisting their children learning new skills and understanding.
Kids are not as capable as we like to think in using various digital tools thoughtfully, effectively, and efficiently – obligation for today’s educators to be aware and assist in this learning as in other traditional literacy learning.
Between students unsure of how to proceed in their searching to students being allowed to decide for themselves where and how to search is an awareness of what type of learning and skills are needed for performing powerful searches, saving time, and reducing frustration.
For more information about the book, visit November Learning
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2 comments:
In going to the November Learning site you'll find all the links from his Web Literacy for Educators book, plus lots more!
I see that he has a national conference in Boston this summer that some of us may be interested in:
Pre-conferences: July 27 - 28, 2009
Main Conference: July 29 - 31, 2009
Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Tower in Boston, MA
Conference Information: 781 631 4333 donna@novemberlearning.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ellen
Thanks for taking notes and posting them, Ellen. It is helpful to review what was shared and discussed. The November book is so informative and easy to digest... I wish more of our staff were reading it. I am motivated to pay attention to what kids are doing as they search. Ellen and I have discussed doing an "action research" within this framework. Maybe the PLC group would want to do this as a group. CB
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