Without much thought, the world of communication, information, and education is changing around us.
Instead of going to the bookstore to buy the newest bestseller or latest issue of Vanity Fair, we can download the book or magazine with only a few simple clicks.
The way we read and learn is shifting from the book and newspaper to the webpage and PDF file.
If we are not prepared for this new literacy, we will find the informational medias we are familiar with, obsolete.
Some of you may know what "LOL," "OMG," and "TTYL" mean, but others may be completely oblivious.
I remember trying to teach my grandmother how to use her new cell phone and computer.
I asked her to hit the "Start" button at the bottom left of her computer screen and she instead of dragging the mouse, she poked it with her finger.
Now, I'm assuming that because you are reading this you know how to use a computer mouse, but I can guess that there are plenty of you out there who are apprehensive about the new digital age.
The most pressing issue is this paradigm shift within the educational world.
There are many teachers out there who cling to their textbooks and worksheets like their career is on the line.
Who can blame them, really? I've only interned in schools for a short while, but I know that their job is extremely difficult, so their techniques become firmly established.
It's easier to work from a routine in that kind of environment.
Perhaps we can understand their hesitancy to revamp their pedagogy, but the students are being brought up in a world that is completely different.
Students have access to the internet from an very early age, they have cell phones that are "smarter" than my computer, and they learn from these at a remarkable speed.
The textbook and worksheet are no longer stimulating.
Of course some may see these new technologies as "over-stimulating," but to me stimulating means they are accessing new parts of their brain.
They are able to multi-task, think critically, and develop fine motor skills at a much younger age, which to me seems advantageous.
Some part of me laments that my future son or daughter may conquer literacy through the computer rather than doing so under a lamp with a good book, but I need to recognize that we are moving into the future.
With this change, teachers need to change also.
If they don't, they may one day find themselves truly ineffective.
There is hope though! For you teachers, there are so many different and unique tools that can be utilized to further your student's learning.
For example there is a fantastic online tool called Glogster (http://www.
glogster.
com).
This website allows students to create interactive posters.
Instead of having students perform presentations with a white poster board, they can make a Glog that has embedded videos, pictures, texts, and even music.
It's also very easy to use.
They even have a page for teachers where they can walk themselves and the class through tutorials.
Most importantly, it's free to join! Only a few minutes searching through the internet will uncover many of these tools.
Look into using YouTube videos, blogs, and goodreads.
com as resources in the classroom.
My advice is to be bold! Try new things and even ask your students how they would like to learn.
You may be surprised at how honest your students are and how effective these new technologies can be for grabbing their attention and engaging them.