Technological Literacy? It's Still Just Learning

   Dana nails the issue of "excused" technological illiteracy:

Teachers have to realize at some point that exhibiting ignorance with this sort of pride is not OK. It is OK not to know something and to try to fix that, and I would hope that most teachers would do so. I don’t know everything. That’s true. At the end of my life, I still won’t know everything. I would hope, however, that when I reach the end of my life, I will never have exhibited pride about being ignorant of anything.

Dana nails it because she's not necessarily focusing on a particular skill or skills, but more on the desire of those involved to be in a constant state of learning.

Karl's post, which inspired Dana's (and was inspired itself by Terry's) gets really, really interesting in the comments, particularly as the discussion gets going into literature, and literacy, and technological literacy.  You've got to read it for yourself, but let me contribute that I love both the words and the ideas of great literature.  Particularly poetry, which is, to me, the near-perfect (or completely impossible) marriage of both.   

  As for technological literacy, the US federal government, via NCLB, now requires that all 8th graders be technologically literate.  Well, actually, that's not true - the federal government has required that all states test 8th graders to measure their technological literacy.  Each state gets to define technological literacy, though, as well as the standards that they will use to measure it, which might explain some of the confusion in Karl's conversation.  Neat, huh?

   It's sure hard to teach something that you don't know yourself.  Of course, the question that I'm not going to attempt to answer at the moment is whether or not technology is a content area or something, like reading and writing, that transcends content.  That's a blog post for a different day.   

** If you know the definition of technological literacy that your state is using , jot it down in the comments - I'd be curious to see the range of definitions.  My fingers are crossed that there's not much variance from state.  I know that Colorado is going with the refreshed ISTE NETS as the state technology standards, with some minor revisions.    

 

Comments

[Brad Wenger]

More power to Dana for hitting it right on the head! There are teachers that I work with that are more than happy saying, "Oh, I'm glad that I don't have to do that!" when referring to using technology in the classroom. We have a a "technology" class once a week for our K-5 students, and it has only fed the fire with regards to teachers feeling as though it doesn't involve them!

Which leads me to your comment Bud about whether technology is a separate content or something that transends content. It is my belief that technology transends content...it enhances content! I know..a post for another day :)

In our district, we have adopted the full ISTE NETS as well. We are currently revising and updating our curriculum to reflect the revisions....

[Nick Schroder]

In 2002, the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) copyrighted and released its second version of Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology. In this manual the ITEA, which originated out of the Technology for All Americans Project, defines technological literacy as being able to “use, manage, assess, and understand technology.” It previously defined technology as “the modification of the natural environment in order to satisfy perceived human needs and wants.” The book is filled with benchmarks, objectives, vignettes, and standards for four separate levels(K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12), and obviously the depth and comprehension designed for each level becomes greater.
I use different definitions when working with students that are studying technology. To me technology is the study and manipulation of the human made world. This helps portray to students that the paper they write on and the mechanical pencil they write with are technology, not just their school computer lab.
The great thing about technology is how well it lends itself to be taught across the curriculum. I talk about technology and the natural world, which quickly leads discussion into science or what I define as the study of the natural world. We have even worked English into some technology debates as we take a look at the noun and verb meanings of the word “engineer” and how it is often misinterpreted.

[Sonja]

Here is WV's statement for our goal in technological literacy:
"Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy is the ability to use technology to develop 21st century context knowledge and learning skills, in the support of 21st century teaching and learning. In a digital world, students need to learn to use the tools that are essential to everyday life and workplace productivity. The West Virginia Standards for 21st Century Learning integrate 21st century learning skills and 21st century technology tools into three standards: Standard I – Information and Communication Skills; Standard 2 – Thinking and Reasoning Skills; and Standard 3 – Personal and Workplace Skills. These three standards reflect the content found in the six national standards published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE):
• Basic operations and concepts
• Social, ethical and human issues
• Technology productivity tools
• Technology communication tools
• Technology research tools
• Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools"

WV is absolutely "ate up" with *21st century learning/tools*. I will admit, I hear that phrase so much that even I am getting sick of it and I am probably one of the biggest tech-geek-wanna-bes in my area of the county.

However, I am just as sick and tired of the teachers who will not even remember my two rules before asking for my help if they have a problem with their computer 1) Check to see if all cables are plugged in, 2)Reboot, then ask me for help.

I think at this point in our educational development, there is no reason that teachers should continue to be ignorant of basic computer trouble-shooting and basic computer use with their curriculum. If they make the choice to continue being ignorant and stubborn about it, they need to find another career. They are doing no favors to anyone and take away time when depending on other people to fix their unplugged printer. Teachers who are stuck at this level violate all three of the standards our state mentions that our students must demonstrate proficiency in.