Chapter 12- The New Literacies: The World of Online Children's Literature

       When reading chapter 12 I found it very eye opening as to how much technology is out there for students to use. What I believed to be even more astounding is how much technology can actually be beneficial. I know that I myself prefer to read actual books, rather than books online.  However, times are changing and it is a reality that a large amount of reading is taking place online.

        I found it interesting that 93% of children from the ages of 8-18 spend an average of 90 minutes a day using the computer at home, and 75% of this time is spent on social networking, instant messaging, watching videos, and playing computer games. It is important to realize that teachers can use the students’ knowledge of technology to extend children’s understanding, motivation, and engagement in literature. If technology is used properly it can extend the opportunities to acquire the skills and strategies needed to live and work in the fast changing technological world. One way students can use technology to increase an interest in literature is through digital texts. Digital texts are distinguished from other genres by the interactive structure. It is key that a child to be engaged in reading online a transacting must occur between the reader and the text. New literacies are skills, strategies, and dispositions necessary to successfully use and adapt to the rapidly changing information and communication technologies and contexts that continuously emerge in our world and influence all areas of our personal and professional lives. It is vital that students learn these skills in order to read, write, view, navigate, and communicate in the future.

        In conclusion, students of the 21^st century need to have experience with the technological tools used in the classroom. They need to be able to also be able to work collaboratively in face to face and virtual environments. It is key that students are able to find information in a variety of different places and then determine its reliability and create new knowledge from what they have read. Students of the 21^st century also need to understand and follow the legal and ethical practices as they use resources and create information. It is important to realize the endless possibilities teachers can use through technology. Projects, meeting authors, gathering information, communicating with others, and numerous other opportunities exist through technology. It is important for students to learn how to use this technology safely, and when they do so they can make joyful connections to literature (Johnson, 2012).