My initial reaction is to feel extremely overwhelmed. Here is my stream of consciousness, in case you’re interested: “This is too unfair. It’s impossible to create a digitally literate classroom like the one in the second picture without the proper funds. These poor kids. How can I help? I need to change my attitude.” I took a deep breath and began to synthesize what we’ve been learning in order to take the first step toward answering my inquiry question.
Notice that in the first picture the classroom environment seems very old fashioned and teacher centric. The authors of our Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time, Lindsay and Davis (2015), tell us that we must relinquish traditional pedagogies. Teachers must set an example for what it means to be a digitally literate, global citizen. “The walls break down when students are part of an inclusive global classroom where expert advisors and peer-group review become a common occurrence” (Lindsay and Davis, p. 9). Thus, my goal is to make myself that expert advisor. Even though my students may not have access to technology at home, I do.
A definite advantage of teaching in urban settings is that I have learned to become extremely resourceful and leverage every opportunity possible for the benefit of my students. This school year I will be teaching in Camden. I plan to research grants that are available to students, post a donors choose page, and take advantage of libraries and cafes offering access to computers and wireless connections. Already, I’ve learned how to reach more people with my Donors Choose campaign by posting it on my blog. I can feel myself growing and changing. My initial anxiety has shifted to excitement and enthusiasm!
Additional Resources
This YouTube link helps to further explain the need for technology in urban schools. It gave me hope!
I found this article interesting in conjunction with our readings this week. The author argues against the idea that we don’t need to teach digital literacy since students are already glued to their devices.
References
Lindsay, J. & Davis V. (2015). Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time. Pearson: New York.
Image 1 – https://www.bigshouldersfund.org/uploads/images/classroom%20full.jpg
Image 2 - https://www.google.com/search?q=digitally+literate+classroom&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS570US571&espv=2&biw=1517&bih=707&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI_f3N_9HsxgIVhG8-Ch0iBAAc&dpr=0.9#tbm=isch&q=modern+elementary+classroom&imgrc=w6rXBUx2egMj2M%3A