Yes I am a Newcomer ... Reaction to Chapters

One focal point of the chapters is that reading and writing are not the basis for being literate. Literacy encompasses so many more notions than being able to decode and encode. It has to do with being able to use and process information for both yourself and the world around you including both social and cultural aspects. The 'three-dimensional,' model discussed in chapter one touched upon literacy as being (1) operational (2)cultural and (3)critical. First you must be able to understand the material. Second you must be able to find the meaning behind it. Lastly, you must be able to understand how and when to use the information in different situations. The second chapter was both interesting and concerning to me for I realized that I am an 'newcomer' looking in on all of these 'insiders' saying what in the world is 'Googlewhacking'? I am definitely one who feels so much more comfortable with a pen and paper or book in hand rather than my laptop. I find myself feeling as though I'd like to get a pass into the 'insider' world but I constantly feel as though I am playing a game of catch-up. The world of 'literacy' is ever expanding as noted by the author into different areas including most importantly technology. We are now having to be literate in different ways which are not in the comfort zone that we are used to. The author's discussion of how 'mindset 1' individuals are used to using information that comes from specific sources that are knowledgeable in their field whereas 'mindset 2' individuals both gather and use information but also become part of it. The comparisons noted in the reading related the 'old' ideals' to that of the 'new' by enabling participants to give their input into such sites as Amazon, Wikipedia and Flickr.
With regards to 'new literacies/tecnology' and schools, the author discusses how educators use technology to create technology to perform tasks that they have done in different ways in the past including such things as creating classroom websites or using the internet to find information on topics being studied. The author does note that educators on the most part don't allow students to use technology in other ways across the curriculum moslty because educators are 'newcomers' themselves and that schools have safety concerns put limitations on what material students should use.
Technology is going to be increasingly important and evolving. It is going to be easier for those who have grown up with technology to continue to advance with what comes up in the next few months and years. I do feel that my first grade students know how to get on the computer and go web surfing to find websites to play on and to find information on. They have indeed grown up with a computer as just another item in their house. Besides computers, they have seen laptops and ipods as being another fun item to use. I myself still need an ipod and a camera phone.