E is for Exploring 21st Century Literacies

Hello! It is now 2016 and this semester, my blog will be exploring 21^st century literacies and how different types of literacies can be used in the classroom.

Retrieved from http://theasideblog.blogspot.ca/2013/01/librarians-technology-and-new-literacies.html

The way literacy is viewed has changed. Literacy is more than reading, writing, and speaking. The world is rapidly changing, creating a need to make sense of these changes and prepare future generations to become successful in our society.

There are new aspects of education that have changed and are different from the way things were when I was in elementary school, which emphasizes the importance of being aware of various issues, both new and reoccurring, that affect students and education. For example, the use of technology in classrooms is becoming more important in the 21^st century. Not only do teachers assist students in learning how to use various technologies in the classroom (i.e. google, smart boards), but teachers must also teach students how to use the technology appropriately to facilitate their learning as well as promote critical thinking skills to examine and make sense of the content. The view of literacy has changed in the 21^st century context. New literacies allow educators to move beyond the “traditional” ways students have been taught towards more innovative ways to teach and address the diversity of students’ learning needs and interests.  

As a future educator, I will be expected to have an understanding of the new literacies (such as those included in the image) and how they can be integrated into my teaching in a 21^st century context, while upholding the curriculum expectations. I have much to learn and I am excited to learn about the multiple literacies and what each entail to prepare to be a teacher in the future!