Technology at Manson Northwest Webster Elementary

I have been intrigued by infographs and have been wanting to try one.  The influx of technology at Manson Northwest Webster Elementary seemed like a good place to start.  I used the free version of the web tool Piktochart.  Although the tool wasn't foolproof and the graphics options were limited in the free version, I think I was able to capture the essence of the information and data about technology at Manson Northwest Webster Elementary.  As you can see, however, the information is too small and in many places too fuzzy to read.  The tool didn't allow me to convert it to a pdf, and I ended up having to save it as a image in order to upload it here.  Then, of course, I wasn't able to make it larger for this posting. Although...maybe all the issues were just me...  Next step - a program that will do a more complete job of displaying my information.

I recently wrote this blog post for Manson Northwest Webster's Professional Learning Network class. You can follow this class on Twitter at #mnwpln and the blog at MNWPLN.

Digital Literacy

When I was growing up, the word literacy was strictly associated with reading. Being literate meant you were able to read.  Now when we combine the word “digital” with the word “literacy”, it has a much bigger meaning. Here are three points that help describe what being digitally literate means to me.  These points are actually nothing new and really get to the heart of digital literacy for everyone.  The italicized words in each bullet point are ones that I believe are crucial to the meaning of Digital Literacy. So, it’s about doing as well as knowing.

Digital Literacy is:

• the ability to use technology, communication devices or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information. 
• the ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources that are presented using the web. 
• the ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment.

The way I do my job has changed dramatically over the last ten years.  I have learned how to become digitally literate in the context of my work and many times in a “sink or swim” situation.  I have learned many skills I need to navigate technology devices and web tools to do my job efficiently and effectively. My social networking tool of choice at work is Twitter.  I have come to depend on the professional network I’ve created over the last two years to help me do my job.  I’ve learned to problem-solve out of necessity as well as find and create information.   But I’m not there yet!  I know I will always be learning how to improve my digital literacy.

I have spent more than twenty years in education and much of it has been at Manson Northwest Webster.  I am passionate about making sure our students are prepared for the future, and I believe being digitally literate will go a long way to get them ready for life beyond our school.  

A Road Map? Seriously?

               A real 21^st century learning kicked me in the head this weekend while traveling to Michigan to see my daughter, her husband and our granddaughter.  Heading out, we had the Garmin, and our  phones.  At one point, I was driving through Chicago and my husband was navigating.  Our course just didn’t seem right, and I felt I really needed to see the big picture of where we were headed, not just the next exit.  And, maybe there was a better route. So I said to my husband, “Just get out the Illinois road map.”  And then added, “But keep it down, it’s embarrassing to be seen using that thing.”  But actually it did help.  I figured out the big picture and there wasn’t a better route.  I felt much better.

                At some point during the weekend, I casually mentioned to my daughter that we had to get out the Illinois map.  She looked shocked and horrified and said, “A ROAD MAP? WHY?”  I became embarrassed and defensive and started making excuses about how I hated my Android  Map App,  the Garmin wasn’t updated,  how we did try to keep the map out of the view of other motorists, and if I had an iPhone instead of an Android, I’d have been able to use it.   Finally, I just said, “Actually the map did help.”  We laughed and she shrugged.

                I did notice during the course of the weekend that my daughter used her phone for everything.  I guess I just haven’t quite made that leap.