As I continue to build my knowledge on 21st century literacies, I am beginning to make connections between the literacies and their role in my career as a teacher. As a teacher I not only have the obligation to teach the curriculum, but also to ensure that my students have the required knowledge to continue education and enter society where they will become active citizens. As members of society, students will be exposed to the myriad of problems that exist in our world, and it is the purpose of education and the jobs of teachers to prepare them to face these issues when they leave school. When seen in this light, 21st century literacies can be seen as integral knowledge for our students to apply after school.
I don’t see students as passive recipients of knowledge but as participants in education who should be critical minded and able to change the world (L. Lane, personal communication, January 6, 2015). As I mentioned in my last blog, I believe that 21st century literacies are an adaptation to a changing society, however because my knowledge has been refined, I realize that they are crucial additions to the curriculum. I see connections between literacies and the real world, which is essential to teaching these literacies. For each literacy that the Government wants students to become proficient in replicates a real world problem. For example, mental health literacy targets the need to deconstruct stigmas regarding these issues and increased awareness. Environmental literacy targets global warming and the need to reduce our environmental footprints. Digital literacy targets the need for our students to become increasingly literate and be able to deal with the advancements of technology. Lastly, multicultural literacy targets the increasing multiculturalism and need for students to become more accepting of others and reduce racism. Using these examples when teaching students about literacies allow them to see how they are applicable to them and that it is important to become engaged and critical with them.
As a teacher candidate, I am taking the necessary steps to become a literate teacher. Engaging myself in the material of this course is my first step. From here, I will continue to educate myself on the literacies as they appear in the world so I can make connections for my students. I believe that reflection is a key component of teaching 21st century literacies because the teacher must be able to reflect on their own biases and opinions and how they influence teaching. Teachers need to be able to create a classroom environment that is conducive to teaching these literacies. The teacher should also recognize that a traditional style of teaching where the teacher is the all-knowing figure is not the proper approach for these topics. Teachers do not have to be experts on 21st century literacies as in reality, students may have more knowledge than you on some topics. Therefore, it is important to remember that education should be student-directed and prepare students to change the world! Empowerment is something that is lacking amount young students, and I believe that properly teaching these literacies can get them passionate about something and foster the sense that they have the ability to change the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=773hbiCTkg4&feature=youtu.be
I found the video above and it further opened my eyes to the positive implications of 21st century literacies. It inspired me to think more critically about 21st century literacies as I enter the classroom as a future teacher. The reality of the video also shocked me. The jobs that our students will be pursuing do not exist at this moment. This further emphasizes the extremely crucial aspect of how important it is to teach literacies, especially critical literacy. Creating a dynamic classroom that mimics the world as the video mentioned is the key to preparing students for their future. Now that I have a foundation of knowledge on 21st century literacies, I already feel more comfortable with integrating them into my classroom. Since I understand how important they are, I am aware of the positive implications that can occur when they are taught properly. Therefore, I am, and will, invest my time into ensuring that my students are 21st century literate.
