Tree Octopus video

I remember once being told never believe everything you read in the newspaper.  This was in an era of paper and type rather than screen and internet but even so it was a good first step in becoming critically literate.  This video surprised me for a number of reasons:  Firstly, 49 out of 50 7^th graders believed the content of this website and indicated that it would be a reliable resource for a project they were undertaking.  Secondly there is a lack of guidance and investment by authorities and government in the US in assisting teachers  to develop their students as critical internet readers. Thirdly given that a teacher’s accountablilty is defined by student outcomes in traditional paper and pencil tests this is less of a priority for teachers .  “If it’s not on the test we are not going to worry about teaching it”.  McDougall’s (2007, p.135) interviews of teachers in Queensland also supports this  view that learning of conventional literacy is given a higher priority while acknowledging the importance of literacies associated with ‘technologies’.

This video raises important issues for teachers, students and even parents.  Our students are digital natives and as such come to school with the skills to surf the internet and use digital tools.  They need to learn skill sets to become more discerning and learn not to take everything at face value they read online.  The advantage we have as teachers is more life experiences and “understand that any sharing of information needs to be approached with a critical eye (Callow, 2008, p.14).  But this is not enough as I realise after watching this video I hold some misconceptions of what an authentic website is i.e those ending in .org or .edu.    It needs to be backed up with ongoing professional development.

• Callow, J. (2008). New literacies, New York & Web 2.0: a little knowledge is a helpful thing! SCAN, 27(4), 13-16
• McDougall, J. (2007). Engaging the visual generation : some Queensland teachers come to terms with changing literacies. Screen Education(46), 130-137
• Techknowledge - Digital Literacies .http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid6415358001?bclid=6310839001&bctid=1457684597