Chapter 10

In chapter ten, Richardson provides an overview of the role of technology in the educational world.  He begins by reminding the reader that web content is expansive and continuously growing, and that "the creation of that content is collaborative" (147).  He then states a fact that emphasizes the urgency for educators to incorporate the use of technology into their teaching practice: the needs of the workforce have changed making the old style of reading and writing insufficient preparation.

Richardson  points out that as educators, "If we fail to graduate students who are not able to create, sustain, and participate in these networks in safe, ethical, and effective ways, we've done them a disservice" (149).  This startling warning, suggests that the teacher needs to intentionally teach students new literacies.  Students need to learn to be editors who read critically; publishers who take their ideas and products online; resources managers who collect, store, and retrieve relevant information; and collaborative students who learn and teach together with people from around the world.

Richardson identifies 10 "Big Shifts" that are occurring as a result of the Read/Write Web.  "Big Shift 9: Mastery Is the Product, Not the Test" most caught my attention.  I agree with Richardson that the "one size fits all" assessment format of a test is not an accurate way to measure mastery of a product.  Many of my students can memorize a list of vocabulary and definitions for a quiz.  However, these vocabulary words often then have no impact on developing their ability to use sophisticated and varied vocabulary when writing or speaking. Today I had a group of students create a photo peach slide show for their current list of vocabulary wotrds.  It was exciting to hear them discuss the meaning of the words as they searched for the "just right" image to use to depict the definition.  I plan to have them post their shows so that their classmates can view the shows and post comments.  I think there is the potential to use their slide shows to more accurately asses their mastery of understanding for the words.  I believe that many teachers are aware of the need to change the way they teach and assess, but I am not sure that evidence shows that DOE is ready for the shifts.

Richardson also defines five new roles for teachers in this new techonolgy driven world.  I want to make this shift  because I want to make sure that my students will have the necessary skills to successfully navigate the work force that they will be entering, but this change is going to be challenging.  I wonder why students are not required to take a class where these tools are explicitly taught to them.  How is a content area teacher supposed to cover all of the course curriculum and also teach students a new literacy?