Traditional vs. New

Teaching Two Literacies

            Today’s teachers are caught between the traditional definition of literacy (books) and the emerging literacy that includes all technology. The struggle between incorporating nontraditional methods with the traditional is only the beginning. Students are engaged in nontraditional methods, but are accountable in the traditional realm. The challenge for classroom teachers is to blend the two literacies. First, students must be encouraged to engage in traditional methods including good books, expressive writing, and oral language. The business of the school is reading, writing and thinking.

            Districts can address both literacies by hiring teachers who are fluent and comfortable in both traditional and nontraditional literacies. The traditional methods should include appropriate and materials of quality. Teachers can tie the two literacies by choosing engaging traditional materials and including blogs or chats to incorporate the nontraditional elements of literacy.

            I think the two literacies compliment each other. As a teacher, I would use the emerging technology as a tool just like the traditional print materials. When I taught, our technology was not reliable and our training limited. With the challenge to engage children, technology is a must. Teachers need to redefine literacy and the tools in order to prepare students for the world. I know the traditional paper testing will continue, but that doesn’t mean teachers should only instruct using the traditional literacy tools.

            Rooney, J. (2009, March). Teaching Two Literacies. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 92-93. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.