Why is it important for me to integrate new literacies into my writing class?
The common condition of high school English(especially writing) classes and the development of technology in China
The condition of Chinese high school classes:
China accounts for 20% of the world’s population. China’s educational system emphasized rote learning rather than creative problem solving. China has redesigned its education system since embarking on opening up the country and engaging in reforms in the late 1970s. China went though a three-decade long reflection and debate on quality-oriented education (vs examination-oriented education), resulted in ground-breaking Basic Education Curriculum Reform that profoundly changed education philosophy, content and pedagogy for education from Grade 1-12. After 3 decades, not only has China achieved universal access to basic education, but also Shanghai became a top-performer in PISA tests in 2009. And in 2014, the changes still continue. In spite of this, we are still facing many challenges and barriers with education system. In most cities and especially small towns and rural areas, student-centered instruction is still a empty slogan which is hard to implement.Teachers are still the main role, or the center or the class, which is easy to tell by the arrangement of the classroom.
Students have many confusions and problems: “When I speak English, I feel stupid because I make lots of mistakes and don’t know enough vocabulary.” “I don’t want to speak English until my English is much better.” “I don’t want to listen to other students speaking incorrect English because I’ll learn their mistakes.” "I don`t want to write in English, because I can`t write anything creative" "I need more vocabulary to support my writing." " I am not good at grammar, so there are too many grammatical mistakes in my composition."
Writing teachers like me have been caught in a tight spot for some time now. On the one hand, computing technologies have radically transformed the meaning of "writing." On the other hand, high stakes assessments and their impact on teaching have limited what counts as writing in school. New literacy and digital writing do matter in education.
China accounts for 20% of the world’s population. China’s educational system emphasized rote learning rather than creative problem solving. China has redesigned its education system since embarking on opening up the country and engaging in reforms in the late 1970s. China went though a three-decade long reflection and debate on quality-oriented education (vs examination-oriented education), resulted in ground-breaking Basic Education Curriculum Reform that profoundly changed education philosophy, content and pedagogy for education from Grade 1-12. After 3 decades, not only has China achieved universal access to basic education, but also Shanghai became a top-performer in PISA tests in 2009. And in 2014, the changes still continue. In spite of this, we are still facing many challenges and barriers with education system. In most cities and especially small towns and rural areas, student-centered instruction is still a empty slogan which is hard to implement.Teachers are still the main role, or the center or the class, which is easy to tell by the arrangement of the classroom.
Students have many confusions and problems: “When I speak English, I feel stupid because I make lots of mistakes and don’t know enough vocabulary.” “I don’t want to speak English until my English is much better.” “I don’t want to listen to other students speaking incorrect English because I’ll learn their mistakes.” "I don`t want to write in English, because I can`t write anything creative" "I need more vocabulary to support my writing." " I am not good at grammar, so there are too many grammatical mistakes in my composition."
Writing teachers like me have been caught in a tight spot for some time now. On the one hand, computing technologies have radically transformed the meaning of "writing." On the other hand, high stakes assessments and their impact on teaching have limited what counts as writing in school. New literacy and digital writing do matter in education.
The innovation of Beijing Royal School---Mobile Learning
Using portable computing devices (such as iPads, laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs, and smart phones) with wireless networks enables mobility and mobile learning, allowing teaching and learning to extend to spaces beyond the traditional classroom. Within the classroom, mobile learning gives instructors and learners increased flexibility and new opportunities for interaction.
Using portable computing devices (such as iPads, laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs, and smart phones) with wireless networks enables mobility and mobile learning, allowing teaching and learning to extend to spaces beyond the traditional classroom. Within the classroom, mobile learning gives instructors and learners increased flexibility and new opportunities for interaction.
My experience of teaching writing in the past:
- Limited time (because of curriculum);
- Limited flexibility (because of curriculum);
- Limited Genres (personal narratives: journals and diaries; letters; persuasive essays----TOELF Writing);
- Limited strategies (lacking of training);
- Limited assessment(summative assessment; Lacking of formative assessment)
What writing classes can be?
- Student-centered
- Teachers as facilitators
- More hands-on activities
- More genres for students to try
- Process-focused writing(in stead of product-focused)
- Formative and summative assessments