In the Kajder reading from this week, one thing that stood out to me was Ed's comment, "'When kids talk about the spaces in which they read and write, I can't lock it out because it threatens my own confidence. Instead, it is an opportunity'" (46). I know we have addressed this a little in both NPM and YAL. Someone in YAL brought up the idea that teachers and professors cannot be afraid to admit that they do not know something. She said we have to take ourselves down from the "pedestal" and realize that this is a learning environment, not a show and tell of intelligence for the teacher. I think that is very important for educators in a digital literacy classroom to keep this in mind. It is a scary thought to imagine admitting to students that we do not know how to do something or the answers to all their questions. However, I think it is important to keep in mind what Ed was saying in the Kajder reading. We cannot let our fears hinder learning and classroom engagement of students. Actually, I think that students will appreciate the honesty from a teacher and the feeling of working together in the classroom.
So, what I'm really trying to say is that even though it will be scary to admit to our future students that they probably know more than us about technology; we might be helping to create a better classroom. I just feel that maybe it won't create the chaos and disrespect we all fear (especially right after school as young teachers). Instead, students will appreciate and respect their teachers for valuing their intelligences and allowing them to have a say in the classroom. Education is about communication and sharing diverse intelligences, why not apply this to digital literacy use in the classroom as well?
Also good timing. See the comment I just wrote on Sami's latest post. This is also why I have you all present a digital tool. While I wish I could keep up with all the digital tools out there...I just cannot. I'll be honest...it was a little scary at first to show students that I don't "know it all." But the best thing about education is that we are all learning. (see Heather's blog...she discusses this in her opening.) And by allowing students to share what they excel at....why, that's just a gift!
ReplyDeleteI agree that students would respect a teacher that admits that their proficiency with certain technologies may not be as high as the students'. I don't feel that anything is being taken away from the atmosphere of the classroom or anything truly negative would occur. If anything, I feel that what T.O. said about allowing students to actually circumvent this figurative pedestal by being given the opportunity to share their own knowledge is spot on. When a student is allowed to take pride in something they excel at in the class, only good can come of it.
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