Group+2

__**literacy |ˈlitərəsē; ˈlitrə-|**__ • competence or knowledge in a specified area

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Brilliant idea. I am still holding fast to the idea of a "Literacy revolution". I think our points as well as Randy's were valid. Education clearly needs to progress (evolve) but before we jump into anything I think there needs to be a close examination of what is of educational merit and what is not. For example... do we teach facebook? Two years ago MySpace was the place to be. Two years before that Napster was all the rage. How do we know what is valid? Should the technology be used to teach a skill or is simply using the technology considered a skill. The term literacy will eventually lose its meaning. If our future is going to be filled with a plethora of technology and web-based communication than everyone will need to be "literate"; just to eek out a modest existence. Today someone showed me the "web guru" this woman must spend her days simply compiling all of the "hottest" new web tools. There must be at least 300 links on the site. How on earth are we to teach all of them knowing that by the time our students are in the "real world" new technology will have taken its place? Even if we do manage to educate our kids on how to appropriately "network" will they be able to communicate in a deep and meaningful manner? These are the questions that I believe educators should be asking themselves about the "literacy revolution". Besides, aren't most kids already more tech-savvy than their teachers? Perhaps if we as educators focus on the small stuff...like ....reading, writing and math skills little Johnny won't look like a complete idiot when he is web-conferencing with a mega broker halfway around the world using a google doc for everyone to see his "literacy" or maybe they will just wordle all his mistakes and post it on their office wikispace so everyone can fully enjoy the decline of American education in the 21 century. I just realized how bitter and cynical this sounds. I am sorry to have gone off on a rant. My biggest priority as a teacher is to provide students with skills they will need to make informed decisions about their lives and the world around them. If technology can help me achieve that goal better…I am all for it, but until we find a method to do so I am sticking with good old reading and writing. I want education to advance in a way that encourages deep thinking, creativity and communication but I am not willing to sacrifice the basic skills that have brought us to this point.

I am having such a hard time embedding You Tube Files. Any suggestions? Nothing is appearing. Do i need to download the video onto my computer first? HELP.... * Go to embed widget in the tool bar, then click on embed video (in left tool bar). A you tube icon will be at the top of the list. Click it and it'll walk you through embedding a video. Hope this helps. BTW - I laughed out loud at your "wordling all of the american guys mistakes" Good stuf.

Shawn, after reviewing all of the links I have changed my tune a bit. I still realize the need for deep communication but I think that needs to be the teachers responsibility when utilizing new strategies within the classroom.