Wk 3: Locating digital information

Towndrow (2007) Chap 3 was quite easy to read. It makes a lot of sense and the information is useful for teachers. The chapter discusses the difference between Internet and the World Wide Web. I have a much clearer understanding of this distinction than before. (Remember my earlier post? I used to think they mean the same thing.) There is a section on how teachers can tap on the Internet and I find that the checklist that was suggested to assess information on the web is relevant and useful. However, I feel that if we are going to use that checklist for the younger students, it would need to be simplified further, maybe include smileys or other graphic forms to help in their evaluation.

As for the proposition that teachers collaborate on resources, this is already very much in place in schools. The IT masterplan is already in its advanced phases and many schools already have their e-learning platforms for the sharing and storage of e-resources. Some school clusters even have common websites and e-portals for teachers to have access to a database of resources. Most teachers I know now do not complain of the lack of resources being shared rather they simply do NOT have the time to go through the collection of resources, to select and adapt for their class use.

Towndrow (p33) also criticized searching the web for text and images to cut and paste into another document. This according to Towndrow is a waste of time and is not a useful way of using web information. But this accurately describes the situation of how Singapore’s primary school children do their IPW (Integrated Project Work)!!! (Oh ok this was how it was when I was still in the system 2 years back. Not sure if they have made progress in this area ever since.) Honestly, I think we need to work on this aspect of using web info for project work to be more meaningful.

Bawden’s article led us through the development of defining DL through the years. When I read through this article, I feel that Bawden is a strong supporter of Gilster’s work. (Makes me wonder about the relationship between them….could Bawden have been a student of Gilster?? lol) Though Bawden acknowledged certain limitations of Gilster’s concept of DL, he relates to it when making comparison and providing a critique of others’ definitions.

I agree that Gilster’s seminal work is indeed very broad and generic. This could be the kind of conceptual definitions that would be most useful given that technology is ever evolving and the broad definition allows it to adapt with the changing times. I also like the fact that it was mentioned in the article that DL is seen as a “life skill, not particularly associated with formal education” (Bawden, p.27). This I feel is in line with the efforts and works of the International ICT Literacy Panel which came up with the framework to try and ‘minimise’ the digital divide that exist within and across countries. The copy of the report we read was dated 2002. I wonder how much progress has been made with regards to the implementation of the recommendations as spelled out by the panel. How far have they achieved what they set out to do? (I have yet to search for that info online…….coming soon, next change????)

DT = poor results?

Did you read the article on ST? A survey research done in the US on students aged 8 to 18 found that "heavy users of new media like Internet and cellphones have poorer grades" in school.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/TechandScience/Story/STIStory_481727.html

Interestingly, another article reported that 'sex' is the 4th most searched word online among tweens and teens. This study included Singaporean children. So parents.....do you have internet nanny set up on your home computers yet? ;)

Wk 2: Who creates the internet?

I have never really thought of exactly who created the internet. It's strange that it is even a question for us to reflect on. As I mentioned in the earlier post, I see the internet as a source of information and the www is where i can get everything and anything. I guess I belong to the group of teachers whom Dr Towndrow described in his book as those who see the web as an "inexhaustible pool of information that they can exploit at any time and for any purpose" (p.23). And honestly I also used the words Internet and the Web interchangeably to mean the same thing. After reading that chapter further, I guess I'm more aware now of the difference.

Ive read somewhere that people are the creators of the internet - we are all responsible for creating the world wide web. Thus I would think that it would have some use for everyone and anyone. Before I get myself labelled a technophile, let me assure you that I am not one. I agree with Postman in that we must have 'our eyes wide open' before we accept or reject anything. The introduction of technology has definitely changed everything. As a teacher, I also agree with our debate motion that digital technologies can enhance teaching and learning. (This is to explain why I was silent the whole time during the debate, I cant raise a good point to support the side that I was assigned - sigh!!!) I think it is a great teaching tool that can benefit various users, be it the weaker students or the more academically inclined students. As Postman mentioned, we should be thinking along the lines of how technology is changing our conception of learning and how (p.19).

What I take away from the Postman article is that technology may not always bring about positive improvements. We need to have our eyes open to see its effects on learning and be aware of what it can and cannot do.

I remember during the first session, Wilson mentioned of society's perception that people who are IT literate may be deemed to be more clever that those who are not. Is this the same as what Postman said that people with specialised knowledge of technology will have more power over those without? What say you, my dear classmates?

Wk 1: Orientation to course: Digital literacy

I signed up for this course partly because I wanted to do an 'enrichment' module. To me that would be something different that the usual module with lots of readings, presentations and essays to write as assignments. Hmm...but it turned out that I still would have to read and present but the assignment modes are slightly different :) AND I get to start a blog, which I did yesterday.

Last week in class we were asked what we understood by the term 'literacy'. To me that refers to the ability to read and write efficiently in a language. But what is digital literacy then? My guess was... to be able to read and write with the use of ICT????

I'm kind of glad to hear that I need not be ICT savvy or very IT literate to sign up for this course. I was hoping that the course would somehow hone my ICT skills along the way....you know like getting a 2-in-1 kind of thing? Honestly, I'm worried about the digital story assignment, I don't really know what that means. I guess more info will come our way.

As for the discussion about the Internet and google, I think it's quite thought-provoking: like what Dr Towndrow said, whose information? whose knowledge? I'm of the notion that the computer is supposed to know everything. But the question we were asked to reflect on: what is everything? whose definition of everything?
I've been telling my kids "go google it" whenever they ask me something and I'm not too sure how to explain or just dont feel like explaining. But now I'm not so sure if that's a wise thing to do.........

Hooray!!! My very first blog!!!

i'm kind of excited now that i've created this blog. i've read other people's blog before but i didn't think i would have time to maintain one. plus i don't think i'm interesting enough to have anything to blog about. my daughter has a couple of blogs and when i told her i have to create one, she was so excited she offered to help customise mine for me!! i told her i prefer things to be simple and if i do need any help, i WILL ask her. i guess i was experiencing one of those moments - "when your kids seem 'wiser' than you" moment.