I admit I had Encyclopedia's I referenced for info growing up. I remember the transition from type writers to computers. I sound old when I think I used the over head projector slides when I first started teaching and I printed and wasted a lot of paper worrying that the internet would lose what I needed. I feared that if I used technology it would fail me and so I let a few experiences of tech issues frighten me into not relying on it and mastering engaging presentations that did not rely on me using PowerPoints, videos or technology.
As I thought about my first experiences using a computer, I was at the time very literate. In fact, my very first job when I was 15 I was building computers that I got to take home (at a time when most people did not have a computer in the house) and my step father was in advertising so he also had one. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn about them and how they work. Although at the time I had a lot of pride in knowing how to build one- I actually knew very little about how to use one. It was before the internet and most of my early experiences were making signs for my room that said "no boys allowed" in different fonts. It wasn't until after I graduated college that I actually started using the computer for other things like searching products and social media. I somehow lost the confidence I had when I was younger and became intimidated by all the fanciness of the internet. According to Mark Prensky, I am an immigrant (which I hate the use of he terminology but I will save that for another blog) and for the most part I would agree. I have a fear of trying tech and having it fail me so I have avoided it. I have even paid for a website but never set it up. My PowerPoints looked boring and I started believing I was media illiterate because that is what I told myself.
Although I didn't rely on technology I have always used media in my class to educate and discussed where they get messages about certain things and what messages they get. I have found a lot of young people turn to google for their information like Danah Boyd references in the chapter 7 of media literacy. I agree that adults assume they have the knowledge to understand the information and decide what is fact and what is not and the reality is they don't. They believe everything they read and are not skilled at fact checking and sometimes need an adult to process through what they are discovering.
All of that changed when the pandemic changed and we were thrusted into virtual learning. As Marc would say I gained "digital wisdom" by practicing and learning and trying. I didn't give up when the tech failed because I couldn't. I figured it out and I gained confidence. I learned about new platforms that would make it easier and a year into it I feel like I am mastering the skill of virtual learning. I haven't created my website yet but I suppose now that I am blogging that will be my next step.
Here is the link to a conference I presented on a few months ago where I co-presented on apps and technology- something I never thought I would or could do. I also started a Bitmoji classroom (pictured) which I have discovered is a great way to engage with students.
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