Reflection 1

This Wordart has many of the adjectives and adverbs that describe new literacies as well as Web 2.0. I think it’s a perfect representation of this first chapter because the authors gave many sociocultural definitions of literacies. They compared and contrasted traditional and current viewpoints on literacy as well as explained the different between “physical-industrial” mindset and “cyberspatial postindustrial” mindset. While I understood the main idea of this chapter, it certainly used new terminology to which I added to my background knowledge.

After reading this chapter, I feel that I am of the second mindset, the one which values and maximizes relationships, conversations, and networks. This is another reason I enjoyed the WordArt as much as I did. It showcases the many positive aspects of this mindset. As an educator, this chapter tells me that I must incorporate these Web 2.0 tools into the classroom. These students are ready to multi-task and use the tools available to them, not just at home, but in the classroom as well. I believe this chapter can be applied to my content area. Not only do my first-graders enjoy using apps on the iPad to help develop their literacy and math skills, but there are many ways for the students to share their work digitally with other students. I would love to become a 1:1 classroom that used these new literacies daily, and I know my students would enjoy that as well.