DEAR

DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) or SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) are reading times that take place in the mornings in which students independently read a book of their choice. I love this program! It gives students a chance to break from the typical school habit and read something on their own. Sometimes English or Reading classes don't always choose the most interesting books to read, and this gives the students a chance to read what they want. I know DEAR got me into the habit of reading. I didn't read a lot before then, but once I had to read a book, I got into it and wanted to keep reading it. Its a great way to get students to start reading on their own and figure out what type of genres they like. There is something out there for everyone, whether they like to read or not. It is also never a long period of time so the students who are just being introduced to reading do get get bored quickly. Its a short enough time where it is just a quick break from reality and they can escape school to enter into a world of fantasy, history, romance, or whatever else they might want to read. I really hope the school I end up teaching at has this program implemented. 

Teaching Technology without Technology in the Classroom

      In "Adolescents and Digital Literacies" chapter three discusses that we are teaching in a digital age. We need to adapt with technology in the classroom in order to keep up with society and our students. Lessons are now taking place on computers, projects are made with videos, presentations are completely digital, and much more. Classrooms are being filled with the appropriate tools in order to perform these technological tasks. However, when I graduate, I want to teach in an inner city school. The availability of technological tools is far less than in a public or private school. 


     Adapting to the inner city school's needs is going to be difficult. Technology allows for the development of many skills such as: creativity, computer skills, adapting with society, and more. If there are no computers or other digital devices available to the school, something else needs to replace them in order for these skills to still develop. I think a lot of hands on activities will help with the creativity. Instead of making a video, just act it out. That can help with communication skills as a bonus. As for helping with computer skills, that might be tricky depending if the school has a computer lab or not. If it does, scheduling lab time is always an option. If it does't, you can always encourage your students to visit the local library and assign something along the lines of simply creating a flyer or newspaper article on word. Assigning the project in groups might help. That way the other students can encourage each other to complete it. Then they can just print it out and bring it in to class. Before they go, you can explain the steps and even make a handout of the steps in order to make the project. 


     It is important to encourage the students to go outside the classroom and use technology. Just because the technology is not available in the classroom, does not mean that it cannot be accessed or taught.