Assignment #1
The articles discuss the many ways new literacies can help teachers create 21st century learners.  Meshing technology into every aspect of the class can help students learn how to conduct research and use the internet responsibly.  New literacies can enhance student’s comprehension skills of text at the click of a button.  For example, if a student comes across a word in digital text that they cannot comprehend its possible for them to click on the word and retrieve the meaning.  When I was in school that wasn’t possible, you had to get a dictionary.  New literacies open the door for students to become tech savvy and comfortable using technology to boost their learning experiences.  Though “new literacies” show great promise, there are still many challenges to using new literacies in today’s public school classroom lack of technology and professional development.  Lack of these key components creates a huge barrier to introducing new literacies in today’s classroom.

Assignment #2
Which ideas from the video reflect what the ELA teachers you interviewed are currently doing to integrate technology with their literacy instruction?                                                            
Although the videos had great ideas, I didn’t see one that would reflect on what my school’s ELA teacher is practicing in her classroom.  The ELA teacher at my school only uses traditional literacies.  She doesn’t include technology into her lesson at all.

How can you help change their instructional practices to include the use of technology and the Internet in their literacy and content-area curriculum?                                                                    
I think I can help the ELA teacher in my school by giving her an idea on a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom.  The ELA teacher always complains about the lack of tech in the building but what if we had children to bring their own technology to school.  We could take a class survey of what type of technology students have access to at home.  For example, if its tablets then we could have students bring tablet to school with parent and administration permission.  Students could read short informational text on tablets during class and create a simple mind map on what they have learned from reading.  Students could work in pairs and share maps with peers.

What professional development and/or resources will they need in order to make these changes?
The ELA teacher would need support from administration and parents.  The ELA teacher would need access to school Wi-Fi password and a small stipend to purchase short informational text apps and mind mapping app.  The ELA teacher would also benefit from attending a few professional developments on different ways to use tablets in the classroom to support school curriculum and enhance student learning.

What ideas do you have for grouping students so they will have equal access to technology in the classroom?
Grouping the students wouldn’t be a big issue if all students bought in their own technology but in the event that a student didn’t have any technology to bring in, I would pair that student with another student according to reading level.  The students could take turns reading text and then have a small discussion about text before completing task.  Another way of grouping students would be to have rotations; maybe 3 groups would complete assignment on tablet one day while other groups complete a pencil and paper assignment.  Groups would rotate until all groups have had a chance to use technology.

Assignment #3
Grade level: 6th Grade

Topic: Pre-writing strategy

Standards addressed: L.4.2, L.4.3, RL.5.7

Learning outcomes: 
Students will learn how to prepare for writing a persuasive text through brainstorming arguments/ideas and also how to use a program designed to aid in brainstorming.  

Technologies needed: 
computer lab with Internet access                                                        
Timeline for implementation (how many classes needed): (2) 40min class periods                      

How can it be integrated and implemented in the lessons? 
Students are always struggling with organizing their ideas before writing an essay. If students can organize ideas, I believe they can produce great essays.  A mind-mapping tool like bubbl. us or mindomo would be a great pre-writing tool to help students organize key points from class readings.  This tool can be used to digitize the brainstorming process.  Students that learn visually could use this tool to see ideas and how they link up.  The tool could also possibly elevate student engagement in topic.

Assessment (on writing skills and technology skills): 
Students will be assessed through teacher observation, the ability to use mind-mapping tools and verbally recount information.