Let's+Talk+-+KRamirez


 * Article #2: //Let’s Talk 2.0: Karen Ramirez// **

The article Let’s Talk 2.0 reviews the many different ways that technology literacy has raised the literacy of students outside the classroom in amazing ways. Beyond being a good introduction to interactive websites (like wiki-spaces, delicious, and voice-thread) that are available and would be great for educators, this article clearly expresses that students are reaching many goals outside of the classroom that are set inside the classroom. Any teacher hopes that the students will become organized, dedicated, and able to take and apply criticisms and practice skills until they master them. The story in this article about Dynamite Breakdown bests illustrates how these goals were met by an unassuming student. Dynamite is diagnosed with ADHD and receives average grades (Bs & Cs) in the academic subjects at school, but he excels at creating animated web movies. Self taught, Dynamite learned to use the technology and read comments and feedback from peers and practiced his skills. Dynamite has become a leader and has won awards for his creations. This “paradigm shift” challenges literacy 1.0 that was one dimensional and teacher reliant into literacy 2.0 which is multi-dimensional and collaborative. This shift challenges traditional school values.
 * //Summary //**

I like the student empowerment that is being provided with literacy 2.0. I teach Religion and I know that what I teach (as in content) is important; however not many of my students are going to pursue a career in any field related to the content. This sentiment is true for many academic subjects in high school. In the end, I hope that students development transferable life skills that can be applied to their future careers and relationships. If those skills come from learning cool computer things, I have to be content with that. Dynamite may not have gotten an A in his academic classes, but he is an example of a competent student that will do well in his adult life.
 * //Reflection //**