This week's presentation by John Finch was very interesting. It was nice to hear someone say that the government's Literacy with ICT movement is not about teaching how to use technology but how to use creative and critical thinking in using technology. I really believe that this needs to be emphasized to teachers. Many of them do not understand that the focus of Literacy with ICT. They instead try to teach computer usage and other basic skills to students who have most likely been doing it all since a very young age.
I am a huge advocate for teaching and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking with technology. There are people my age who could use a lesson in this, never mind school-age students. It is appalling what people think is a good idea to share, or the boundaries they think are acceptable to cross. Facebook is a clear example of this. Yes, I do have an account, but my usage is minimal at best. It is a connection tool for me, and that is all. But to freely post pictures and say whatever you like?... It boggles my mind. It has become a self-gratification toll for people. The idea that if I post about my life, at least people will see it, even if they don't comment. How often do you hear things like, "Did you see so and so's Facebook?!" or "Didn't you get my Facebook message/invite?" Apparently this poor excuse for communication is more important than face to face conversations. This is more of a rant than a discussion, but I firmly believe this affects every single student deeply and they need to understand the consequences of their actions.
Back to John Finch's presentation. It was also refreshing to hear him talk about using technology as a support to teaching, not just because we have it and need to use it. And I was more than relieved to hear that the Literacy with ICT document is a continuum, not a set of outcomes. Teachers spend enough of their life worrying about meeting outcomes that it's nice to have something that students can also use to actively plan their learning.
