LIBE Reading Review Post #1

LIBE 477 Reading Review Part A

There is so much to learn in the area of technology and its uses with regard to learning. I’d like to look at the following two areas for further exploration: the first is information literacy; and the second is using technology for inclusion.

1.    I am often surprised by how much and how little my students know and understand of the ways they can be manipulated through the use of technology. They have grown up using technology daily for many of their leisure time activities and for school related tasks. As technology becomes more sophisticated in its ability to influence users, how can teachers help students understand the dangers of being influenced by things such as “fake news”? This is cause for concern. Students need the tools to be able to assess critically claims they read and news they are exposed to.

2.    Classroom composition is becoming more diverse. Teachers have a challenging time meeting the needs of all students. Shelley Moore explains this in her video “Transforming Inclusive Education.” Sometimes our aim is to the centre of the group and we leave out those students “who need the most support, and those who need the most challenge (Moore).” After viewing the video, I wondered how technology could be used to create more inclusive education? Can the use of technology in classrooms be designed in such a way as to gather up everyone and allow for all the diverse students in any class to engage in meaningful ways? Can technology be used to foster inclusion not only of those students who have special needs and those who are gifted, but also those who feel marginalized, so that acceptance and collaboration between diverse abilities and diverse needs can lead to learning? 

Key words:

Information literacy

Inclusion

Universal Design for Learning

Diversity

Ethics

Internet safety

Critical thinking

Moore, S. (2016, April 04) Transforming Inclusive Education [Video file]. Retrieved January 13, 2019, from https://youtu.be/RYtUlU8MjlY