EDUC 6809 - Weekly Reading #6

This week we read:

Instant Messaging: A Literacy Event by Jennifer Carey at California State University - Northridge

After ten minutes I had given up and picked up the phone to continue the conversation in a way that I was comfortable. For me, the technology did not seem invisible, but rather a hurdle to my own means of authentic dialogue.

I picked this quote because it is completely opposite of how I felt the first time I Instant Messaged. It was with my best friend in college and I felt so free! I discovered through IM that I could talk to my friends without having to navigate awkward pauses, and I loved it!

 I have never been a phone person. In middle school the In-Thing was to get a phone in your room (bonus if you got your own line!). I asked for one and my parents obliged. I think I used it twice within the first few months... and only if a friend called me.  I wasn't very social as a teenager, and I wish that Facebook and IMing had existed then.... I might have gotten out more (with phones the primary method of making plans, I just didn't make any plans!).

It has taken me a long time to learn that written communication is just as valuable as phone communication. For a long time, as a professional, I would beat myself up because I would put off making phone calls. I would convince myself that the phone call was the only "proper" way of communicating and I felt like a failure because I always unable to properly, verbally convey my message to the recipient. Although it depends on who I wish to talk to, I have found email to be equally valued among my professional peers today and I'm glad for it.

I will say though, I worry that this is not the case among many K-12 teachers. Although each year it gets easier, I still find it somewhat intimidating to talk to my kids teachers (and especially the administrators). I find it it particularly difficult to communicate effectively with them on a regular basis because, my experience, is that teachers are not usually very communicative via email. I have never called the school to talk to my son's teachers because I am unsure of what to expect. I realize that I might be a unique case but I wish more teachers would seek out varying ways to communicate with their student's parents (and understand that a lot of parents are intimidated by the school system).

Okay, back to the task at hand. Here's my additional source this week: 

Tapping Instant Messaging

I choose this article because it gives some better specifics about ways Instant Messaging has been used in the classroom. It also give practical advice about what works and doesn't work.

1. How can instant messaging support reading and writing in school?
Reading and writing is at the center of instant messaging, because of its very nature it lends itself to instruction in school. I think I responded most to the idea of using IM as a mode of discussion about a subject and as an assessment tool. This form of online communication is a way for students to also practice online participation and social skills, while giving them new ways of engaging with the class. They will also be writing for purpose - which is to engage in conversation with their peer group, a purpose they readily understand.


2. How did your attitudes and beliefs about the value of instant message as a result of reading the research on Instant messaging as a literacy practice?
I have never thought about using IM in my classroom. I have used blogging and have thought about using forums, but IM is a different form of discussion all together. It is instant and requires quick, engaged responses. It makes me think about different ways I could expand the GED classes. We have the option of offering online studying, and several students are interested in it, but I've never figured out quite how to make it work effectively. IM could give the opportunity for me to assign work and have discussion at set times with students online... I know this is a bit off topic.... to get back on it: right now, writing is not a large part of the GED test. It's one essay (and a good organizational strategy will tackle it) and that's it. However, the new test starting in 2014 will require more short answers and writing in every subject area will become a focus. I could see IMing definitely helping on several fronts:

1.) simply writing practice

2.) Reading and response practice

3.) speed.... reading and responding immediately because being able to answer questions and move on quickly is a key component of the High School Equivalency test!

Sources:

Carey, J. (n.d.). Instant messaging: A literacy event. California State University Northridge.