As I have discussed in multiple blogs on here, I do not
have the privilege this semester of teaching in a classroom with computers for
student access this semester. In a composition class, not having computers can
be deadly especially if the department wants teachers to have in-class workdays
to work on upcoming projects. I also know that I have students who do not own a
laptop to bring to class, so that also becomes its own special issue. So, I
struggle with showing students how to do certain elements on the computer when
they do not have their own computers.
That means
that I fall in line with, at the very least, Stuart A. Selber’s definition of
constructivism. According to him, this pedagogy “is a philosophy of learning
based on the premise that learning is an active process in which students
construct new knowledge based upon their current/previous knowledge” (76). In
other words, I expect my students to be a participant in their own learning
process. Even when I am lecturing from grammar PowerPoints, I want my students not
only feel comfortable but also feel encouraged to ask questions about what I am
teaching. So, when they are silent, it makes me feel like they do not care
about what I am teaching, which is extremely disappointing to me as a
constructivist teacher.
So, how
does my idea of constructivism impact specifically computer literacy in a
computer-free classroom? A great way that I use this concept is if my students
have in-class assignments that could be completed by using the Internet; I let
them use either the Internet or their cell phones or other device that can
access the Internet. That way, they can see that these devices that they use
every single day (especially cell phones) can be used in an academic setting.
By doing this assignment, students are able to combine the literacies they have
gained throughout their educational careers along with the literacies they have
gained from using cell phones and other electronic devices for so long. I am
still working on strengthening this process, but so far it has worked really
well in my classes. Are there any other suggestions to help me?
Work Cited
Selber, Stuart A. Multiliteracies for a Digital Age.
Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 2004. Print.
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