My ultimate career goal is to become an educator. But not just any educator- an elementary educator. And with this job title comes a big responsibility- needing to teach students core skills like speaking, writing, and literacy. Now, as an elementary education major with a concentration in English Writing, I am absolutely fascinated by learning how people learn to speak, read, and write. So with this, reading the “Speaking, Writing, and Literacy” section of J.D. Applen’s article “Old Media, New Media, and Knowledge” was an eye-opening and engaging read for me. In this text, Applen discusses the collective impact that technology, speaking, writing, and literacy have on communication and education. Additionally, this text discussed how the uproar of digital media has created new forms of expression, communication, and skill. With these ideas in mind, I want to know more. I want to know how educators can utilize this knowledge to help their students in developing literacy? This is the questions I aim to answer in this blog.
Technology Promotes Strong Speaking, Writing, and Literacy Skills
Since digital media and technology has evolved into a significant part of our world, it is crucial that we are able to use skills like speaking, writing, and literacy within these domains. Applen offered the idea that technology does not always mean digital or computers. He explained that writing is considered a technology as it exists outside of our minds (1). However, this idea made me want to know more on how the inclusion of digital and computer technologies can support students in developing speaking, writing, and literacy skills, ultimately helping them to carry these skills into technology fields as well.
What Technology Adds to the Classroom
When teachers use digital or computer technologies in the classroom, they are supporting and fostering the development of literacy skills. Not only do these technologies create a more engaging and motivating environment for students, they also allow them to develop key 21st-Century skills. Moreover, technology makes literacy development interactive, memorable, and effective.
In an elementary school classroom, teachers can incorporate technology into nearly any lesson. Between online phonics games, collaborative writing projects, and providing diverse multimedia resources for students to explore, technology opens up so many learning opportunities for students. By incorporating technology into learning, the teacher is supporting their students in developing strong speaking, writing, and literacy skills that will take them through their academic journey and career endeavors.
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