CURR 501: Media Literacy

     In yesterday's reading, Boyd explained Prensky's theory of the divide between digital natives and digital immigrants: a metaphor that paints a good picture of the common differences we see between people who grew up with the internet and those who didn't. I've definitely spent a fair amount of time helping my well-educated parents update their iPhone settings and reopen a tab they accidentally closed, so I understand what he's getting at. However, in thinking about digital natives, I was struck most by how little Boyd discusses the digital divide that exists among youths. She mentions it briefly, but it's the part of her essay I'm most interested in: "Talk of digital natives may make it harder for us to pay attention to the digital divide in terms of who has access to different technical platforms..." (192). Especially in a time of distance learning , it is unfair to our students to assume that they all have equitable access to modern technol...

My name is Elyse, and I'm an English teacher at DelSesto Middle School. This past year, I taught ELA and ELD to 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-graders, which was be exhausting, but was ultimately an impetus for professional growth. At DelSesto, I learn at least ten new things a day. Even during distance learning, I find that there are so many newly-manifested ways in which I can become a better educator.  I'm from New Jersey, and I moved here less than a year ago to teach in the district. There is a very special place in my heart for Providence, and I'm excited to be here another year. Even if the bagels aren't as good. Between college and this glamorous job, I lived in Spain . I was there for about two and a half years in total, and I am officially hooked. It's a true testament to my passion for education and my love for our DelSesto community that I left my beloved Spain at all.       Maybe I'll go back someday, but for now, I know I'm much more needed here. Plus, I...