Education and Technology – Take II
Okay, it’s official. I have low computer literacy skills.
I currently work in the field of adult literacy, particularly family literacy, while I go to school to learn new and exciting ways to engage children and adults in the learning process. In the adult literacy field, we often refer to the IALSS report, which is the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey report (http://www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=4406&lang=en&db=IMDB). IALSS is a seven country survey that measures the literacy skills of individuals between the ages of 16 and 65. In 2005, Stats Canada released the Canadian results. It was discovered that 42% of Canadians did not have the skills needed to live ’full’ lives. It meant that these adults were struggling to meet the demands of today’s life due to their basic literacy skills. So what does this have to do with ECMP 355?
Upon reading some of the blogs as suggested by Alec, I discovered that though I have been very comfortable and able to manipulate technology to support my current forms of learning and electronic presentation, I am offically a TSL (Technology as a Second Language) student and am struggling with a below basic understanding of technology literacy. In Clarence Fisher’s blog - Remote Access, Vicki Davis’ blog - CoolCatTeacher, and Will Richardson’s blog - Weblogg-ed, I have come across a language that I have never heard of let alone can manipulate in my own learning experience. I am being introduced to words and terms such as voicethread, united streaming, outsourced video request, feeds, blogging, linking, subscribing, Smart art, Ning, PLN, netvibes, and igoogle; and that is just the beginning. This was not part of Comp Science 100 when I first started university a bazillion years ago (okay, technically 18 years). I think I am drowning in tech literacy.
But I do have some light at the end of my tunnel. I will first reference Clarence Fisher’s comment about living in a small community and how getting ‘professional’ help takes long-term planning. For example, I have dragged my feet when it comes to high speed Internet (why do I need it when I’m on it all day at school or work?), then this class came along. I called our trusty local network guy, Lance. Though Lance was supportive and understanding, the earliest he could get me in was just over four weeks, but if something came up sooner, he’d let me know. After the local librarian (and a wonderful friend) heard of my dilemma, she offered the computer there to assist with the class until Lance could set up the high speed. There are huge benefits to living in rural Saskatchewan (help is only a few miles away, compared to around the corner). So needless to say, YouTube and other visuals on my home computer have not been accessible, downloading pages has been a nightmare, and the language has thrown me for a loop.
So am I down, am I defeated? No my friend, I am not. My friend Lance is to the rescue (I got the call and he’ll be here tomorrow - yipee!), I’m going to order the book that Alec has recommended in the syllabus, and I am going to forge ahead in this new world of learning.
But…in the event that I type ‘huh?’ or ‘blub, blub, blub’, consider it my expressions of drowning in tech literacy. Feel free to throw me a life line. I’m a good swimmer, but the support will be greatly appreciated. 
Well, family life calls and I need to switch gears.
Have a glorious day.
