New Literacies

I think incorporating new literacies into my ELA instruction is an exciting way to re-frame students' perceptions of reading. In today's digital age, children adapt quickly to multiple technologies and may be prone to boredom when faced with traditional reading instruction. Especially in early stages of language development, some of the applications available on iPad and computer combine attractive imagery and sensory elements to more fully engage young minds. The first obstacle that comes to mind when incorporating new literacies is accessibility. Have you ever seen a young child readily share an iPad? It is also highly likely that certain at-risk groups will not have access to these tools at home, making their time with them during class all the more precious. Relying too heavily on digital teaching tools could also create a difficult transition for students who excel at learning through multi-media and have difficulty focusing on blocks of text. Another obstacle (that is, ...