A9.5: Week 9 Reflection

Aims and Objectives:

My goals this week were:

• To write my fourth genre.  I really wanted to complete this genre and make sure that it could be integrated into my topic.
• To learn more about branching literacy.  I never realized how the things that I think are common knowledge are classified.  I think that it is really neat that there are a ton of different types of digital literacy.
• To reflect upon the suggestions that my classmates have made in order to improve my work.

Declarative Knowledge:

     This week I learned that branching literacy is a type of digital literacy.  This literacy includes being able to operate technology and map how you used the technology to get to places.  I learned more about how I could improve my work through reading my groupmates comments.  I also have learned more about alternative treatment options for a person with severe Broca’s aphasia with apraxia by talking to professors and researching sources.

Procedural Knowledge:

     I began this weeks assignments as I usually do by going to the class website and viewing the reading assignments.  I then went through my email and read some of the mailing list emails that I have been receiving.  I then did the branching literacy assignment by going to Yahoo and typing in branching literacy.  I chose two helpful websites and reflected on the questions that were asked.  I went to my weblog and posted the response.  I then went to my groupmates websites and posted my comments.  I have really enjoyed reading their projects and providing helpful feedback.  I researched my topic further and wrote it on paper.  I am doing some last minute revisions but plan to post it this evening.

Conditional Knowledge:.

     I really think that it is important to know about the different types of digital literacy.  This will allow you to improve upon these skills and even teach others how to use them.  This will help as a lifelong learner.  I also think that it is important to be able to make suggestions without criticizing and I think that we are learning to do that by reviewing each others work.  This will really help us in our careers.

Question:

When are we going to learn how to Podcast?

A9.3: Branching Literacy

 Before beginning this project, I did not know what branching literacy was or what it referred too.  I found information at: The European Journal and Digital Literacy .  I found out that branching literacy is a type of digital literacy.  Branching literacy involves understanding complex topics involved in technology.  It also involves using a digital device.  Branching literacy is used when you surf the internet and check databases.  It is the ability to navigate the system without getting lost in hyperspace.  This literacy emerged as technology has improved and is becoming more important as the days go by.  To be an efficient user of this skill you must be able to mentally model the space in your head.  You need to be able to use concept maps and other forms of representation to convey the idea of the world-wide web.

     I never realized that I possess this skill but I think that I do.  I also think that it has developed with the advances of technology.  My greatest skill that is involved in branching literacy  is being able to mentally model, how I have gotten to the place that I am on the web once I am there.  I am also able to operate a digital device by looking at it and choosing options that I notice through either words or images.  I can understand that a person needs certain skills to be able to use this literacy properly.  I hope to improve upon these skills and become a more efficient navigator of the web and user of digital devices. 

     I think that this skill is very important.  I think that today there is probably more of an emphasis on learning this skill than when I was in the secondary school system.  In order to be a successful student, researcher, and professional you must be able to navigate the world-wide web and know where you have gotten your information.  You also need to know how you find that information and where you went to find it.  You have to know how to use digital devices in today’s society, it is a requirement.  I think the use of computer systems is now emphasized in the educational system.  For example, when I first began grade school in 1989 there was one computer in each classroom and we rarely used them.  When I reached the fourth grade in 1993, our grade school put in a computer lab which contained 30 computers.  As a class we went down to that room two to three times a week and worked with educational games.  We also learned how to operate the machine.  Today my niece who is 3 years-old operates a computer with ease.  To play her Pooh game she goes to the computer and clicks on the Pooh icon and plays the game.  She is way more advanced than I was at that age.  My point is that in today’s society not only the schools stress branching literacy but a lot of parents stress it.  I think that this skill will continue to be very important as technology evolves.