20th Century Literacy

          Change is something that teachers have to be very familiar with. Something that is very alarming to me is how the classroom that I am learning to teach in is completely different than the classroom that I grew up in. I chose the inquiry topic 21st Century Literacy because it is something that I want to gain insight about. I want to spend time researching progressive new literacy topics.

One element that I hope to find information about is the latest ways teachers are using technology in their classroom. And how successful this technology is in motivating and engaging students!? I want to explore how teachers use technology and how the students responded to using the technology! I am hoping this project helps me to take risks in the classroom and not play it safe. We have all had those teachers that are so stuck in their own traditional ways. Right? The ones that have not made changes to their lesson plans in multiple years…? I never want to be sucked into that hole. This is why this project is going to be extremely useful to help explore something that will allow me to bring these new ideas into the classroom!

            This aligns with my teaching belief in creating a meaningful relevant learning. By focusing my inquiry on 21^st Century Literacy, I am looking to keep my instruction an applicable to my student’s lives as possible. It will help me stay up to date and progressive. Although I would like technology to be one of the primary focuses to the board, I also want to dig deeper into teaching strategies that are not necessarily the ones that are scripted in our teaching curriculum. Most likely these are the same strategies their previous teacher taught them, only digging a little deeper. The students need variety. They need change! They need a teacher that is willing to go a little off track to teach in a way that will impact the students positively. 

            Additionally I believe that students need a teacher that shows passion and enthusiasm in her teaching. One way they can do this is through literacy and new ways of teaching literacy. Bringing these older traditional books to life and teaching them in a way that makes student WANT to learn about them. Or finding a way to supplement a lesson that is provided in the reading curriculum that helps students reaches their goals. I believe the only way to do this is with excitement. It is so clear that the students’ energy to learn is parallel to the teacher’s energy to teach.  If a teacher is able to teach in an innovative way I believe he or she will be more passionate about their teaching which will rub off on the students.

            I am looking forward to putting together this inquiry board to deepen my understanding of what is going on out there!! Teachers need to stay on top of the new world of teaching. They are now offering their students the best possible education if they are not adapting to the new world! It is my goal to broaden my perspective on how to teach literacy in the 20^th century!