Reading in the Digital Age

I just finished reading an interesting article from the Nov 2011 ISTE Journal, Learning and Leading with Technology, titled "Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe" by Annette Lamb.  The ideas from the article are worth sharing.  Ms. Lamb calls for a new definition for the term reading, which traditionally is defined as decoding words on a printed page. She proposes a new definition:  Reading is the process of constructing meaning from symbols.

The popularity of mobile devices (smartphones, iPods, tablet pcs, netbooks, eReaders, etc), has made the downloading and sharing of electronic books possible, and reading electronic material is catching on fast for a lot of people.   This has turned on its head the idea of what it means to read a book.

What if you could access text and images like in a traditional book, but you could ALSO access reference videos, definitions, and audio if you wanted to?  What if you had more control over how you engage with the text?  And what if you read more simply because you have more opportunities to read because the content is always with you?

Digital reading devices promote new literacy skills that personalize the reading experience, such as digital note-taking, highlighting, bookmarking, and commenting.  Go ahead and write on the pages (yes, you can do it without getting in trouble!)  You can also change the size and style of font.

Have you heard of transmedia storytelling?  This involves multimedia participatory elements.  Resources connected to the story may include links to items such as documents, maps, web sites, mobile apps, video conferencing, games, and interacting with others on social media sites.  It is no surprise to me that children like it.

In his article "Transmedia Education: The 7 Principles Revisited," Henry Jenkins challenges teachers to actively involve students and put what they see, hear, and read to use.  Transmedia environments ask readers to seek out content, explore information in different contexts, evaluate ideas across formats, and interact with other readers.

Educators don't need to toss their current curriculum to make use of these new reading environments.  Instead, select those technology elements that enhance the learning experience.  Consider transforming the traditional reading workshop into an electronic reading workshop by exploring e-books, writing in electronic journals, holding online discussions, and using technology tools for publishing.

The author believes that educators will discover new ways to motivate digital age reading across the curriculum as digital content quality catches up with the explosion of easy-to-use technology, and I do, too.

If you are intrigued by the idea of transmedia stories, and want to check out some examples, here are a few:

• 39 Clues


• 3:15 by Patrick Carman


• Amanda Project


• Cathy young adult series


• Dark Eden by Patrick Carman


• Skeleton Creek series


• The Search for WondLa

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The Move From Print to Digital Content

I read an article from the October 2011 issue of THE Journal, titled "Driving Digital Change."  As a recent grad of the Educational Policy Fellowship Program and the current chair of MACUL's Advocacy Committee, I found the article very interesting and relevant.

There are about a dozen states that have changed laws or provided initiatives to encourage the use of digital content in schools. The driving force for changing policies having to do with digital content is saving money in a tough economic climate.

The Indiana State Board of Education changed the definition of "textbook" to include digital content. The state allows textbook funds to be used to purchase technology.  California, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, and Maine (there may be others) support and fund the use of open educational resources, which is free or low cost materials with Creative Commmons licenses.

The impact of the policies of these states and how they are implemented can provide some logical guidelines for other states. Policy makers should consider some key ideas when considering a move from print to digital content:  Instructional materials need to be included with any reform package, implementation must be included as part of policy, and the traditional concept of "instructional materials" needs an update.

If states and districts could work with internet and business-savvy experts to create a more modern, interconnected  vision for content, then related areas, like professional development and assessment, might become more cost-effective and efficient. Then and only then will policy for instructional materials reach every district.

The market is wide open for companies to develop and bring mobile technology with digital content to schools in our nation.  The "winner" will be a concept that includes device, content, and an easy management system for delivering individualized content to meet the needs of all learners.

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Teaching & Learning in the Cloud Conference, October 14, 2011

The 2011 Teaching and Learning in the Cloud Conference brings together
some of Michigan's leading educators to discuss how "Cloud-based
tools" and Web 2.0 resources can change your classroom and improve
student learning and motivation.  On October 14 in Holland, the
Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) is
following up last year's excellent inaugural "cloud" conference with a
new conference that promises to offer great insights, resources, and
strategies for you to take advantage of these online tools in ways
that can transform your classroom.

This year's conference features a keynote presentation from Steve
Dembo, a leader in online learning tools, and one of the favorites at
the MACUL annual conference.  Steve will look at cutting edge tools
that students are already using, and show how these tools can be used
to reinvigorate and enhance learning.  Then, dozens of presentations
and hands-on workshops from technology leaders across the state will
show you how to use individual tools for your classroom.  The conference organizers have hand-picked some of the most respected presenters from recent conferences to address the latest online tools for learning.  Jennifer Bond from Walled Lake will be facilitating a session on Edmodo. 

And, if you are looking for more, there will be a number of half-day
workshops the day before (Octover 13) for educators who want to get in-depth support for how to bring these tools, including Moodle, Google Docs, iPads and iPods, and several others, into your classrooms and schools to transform teaching and learning.  These sessions will allow you to get hands-
on support with these tools and leave with strategies and plans you
can use immediately in your schools.

Best of all, registration for the conference is only $80 for MACUL
members, and includes lunch along with this great program.  Pre-
conference workshops are $40 each.

For more information and registration, see a full list of sessions,
presenters, and details about this conference at:
http://techtools4teaching.org

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