Using Photos to Compose

I learned a lot more about multimedia displays of information in Troy Hicks' (2009) The Digital Writing Workshop. The section that I was really interested in was entitled, "Composing Digital Pictures and Creating Photo-Essays with Online Photo Sharing." I found this really interesting and do-able! To begin with, digital cameras and flipvideos are available at my school. This would also be very helpful to my children who struggle with inspiration to write. I was thinking that if children could take a picture of something that moves them, represents a topic, or was just interesting to them. Once they have "motivation," they can compose a multimedia project or writing project to demonstrate their proficiency.

Using blogs and wikis

This is still kinda touchy for me. As I am reading this, I am contemplating how to get the technology resources to make this happen. Can I get an app on iPads to create a word document? I can have them bookmark our wiki and they can create writing there. Maybe I can make this work! :)

Toward a Theory

Well...if I were to put this article into a wordle the largest word would be "change." I noticed that the beginning of the article discussed defining literacy. I think this is extremely important because literacy is not what it was when I was in second grade. It will take a while for this to spread and be recognized throughout the education community. When I say that, I mean that there are the oppositional educators who just want to shut their door and teach the way they always have. Children ARE learning differently now. We must embrace their learning styles and culture and teach to their liking.