Application Eight: Transitioning from Knowledge to Synthesis - Reflection

            I have always believed literacy pertains to reading and writing within the classroom.  Books, newspapers, articles, journals, etc. will provide my students with the information they need.  However, now literacy encompasses so much more and as a teacher it is my responsibility to instruct my students in this area.  Through this course, I have learned that literacy entails more than teaching students to read, but more importantly how to access information with the use of technology.  In past years, I believed my only responsibility as an English teacher was to teach students how to read and write.  Now, after taking this course, I know it is my job to use many different strategies in order to aid my students.

            While I have had many revelations throughout this course, one stands out as it has allowed me to evaluate my own teaching strategies.  Each year I find it to be my responsibility at my grade level to instruct my students in a research project.  In past years, I had students search the Internet with the use of Google.  Many times students stumbled onto inappropriate pages and other times, the websites were not reliable and students were given false information.  I found it was easier to limit student’s searches and I provided them with certain sites.  From this course, I learned I was actually hurting my students and their learning of navigating through the Internet.  I now know it is my responsibility to instruct students how to search the Internet successfully and safely.  Students need to understand that not all websites are reliable and they should know how to detect websites validity. 

            One professional development goal I plan to pursue is continuing to learn new strategies and approaches to teaching literacy and technology.  As technology changes so do the new students entering the classroom.  As a teacher it is my job to reach my students and instruct them in ways to find information.  I also plan on sharing my knowledge with colleagues.  While it is important for teachers to teach students, it is also our responsibility to assist colleagues and parents.  Throughout this course I have gained much knowledge in the areas of literacy and technology and plan to continue this learning.