Synopses & Reviews
This thought-provoking book offers a fresh and much-needed point of view of how to “rethink” literacy and technology in today’s diverse classrooms.
Authored by some of the most inspirational researchers in the field, Literacy, Technology, and Diversity: Teaching for Success in Changing Times provides a research-based blueprint for implementing pedagogical approaches that promote literacy engagement among low-income and minority students. Extensive case studies of classroom practice document how student diversity and technology can become catalysts for deeper learning. Instead of just pinpointing limitations in today’s educational system, Jim Cummins, Kristin Brown and Dennis Sayers move beyond critique and provide powerful action plans to help you in your classroom!
A Must-Read for any Teacher!
“I am extraordinarily well impressed with the book. It is an essential book on an essential topic and it will bring great clarity to the field.”
-Alma Flor Ada, University of San Francisco.
“[T]he book is very clearly written, inviting, and readable. It is appropriate in level and tone for in-service teachers, graduate students, upper-level graduates, and the educated general public.”
-Mary Lou McCloskey, Georgia State University
“This text is a powerful argument for a major change in thinking about learning in schools. Therefore, it provides a valuable vision that stands in contrast to the dominant framework of today’s educational establishment. “
-Donna Ogle, National-Louis University
“This book is an important contribution to the literature.”
-Jana Echevarria, California State University, Long Beach
Ideal text for both practicing and pre-service teachers!
Includes a complimentary CD-ROM of additional resources for teachers!
Synopsis
An invaluable resource for both practicing and pre-service teachers, this long-awaited book offers a fresh and much-needed point of view of how to “rethink” literacy and technology in today’s diverse classrooms.
Authored by some of the most respected researchers in the field today, Literacy, Technology, and Diversity reflects on the idea that great expectations are achievable through educational projects that foster academic growth, with classroom diversity and technology as catalysts for deeper learning, and that a narrow focus ongrade expectations yields superficial results. Arguing today’s learning principles need to incorporate the core values of community learning, critical pedagogy, multilingualism, anti-racist education, high academic standards, and technological fluency, Cummins, Sayers and Brown provide a thought-provoking introduction into these learning principles that will inspire the life-long learning of students.
Take a peek inside...
Provides examples of projects, backed by research-based theories for their effective adaptation to help both pre-service and practicing teachers become more independent and creative in the ways they use technology.
Gives useful suggestions on how to effectively integrate literacy and technology into the classroom. Presents P ortraits (Case studies) of collaborative projects promoting literacy learning and often involving technology on such topics as: Cognition, Assessment, Community of Learning, and Tools and Resources in Section II (Chapters 5-9). Contains an appendix of short vignettes of exemplary projects that promote learning of standards-based expectations for academic achievement. Includes a complimentary CD-ROM of additional resources for teachers as well as updated portraits on exemplary projects. About the Author
Jim Cummins is a widely-recognized authority on bilingualism, literacy development and technology-assisted learning. He is co-author of the widely successful series, Scott Foresman ESL (Scott Foresman) and spends time presenting and consulting across the United States and Canada.
Kristin Brown has been a leader in promoting global learning networks internationally and currently travels across the country doing professional development workshops with various school districts.
Dennis Sayers has researched two-way bilingual immersion programs, technology and language awareness and has done professional development workshops in California.
Table of Contents
Preface
Part I - Changing Times, Changing Schools
Chapter 1 - Literacy
Chapter 2 - Pedagogy
Chapter 3 - Assessment
Chapter 4 - Technology
Part II - From Literacy to Multiliteracies: Narratives from the Frontier
Chapter 5 - Vignettes of classes in global learning networks
Chapter 6 - Project FRESA: Cultivating Community-Connected Learning
Chapter 7 - The Oral History Project: From a shrug to “How much time do I have, Mr. Green?”
Chapter 8 - The Biographies Project: Opportunities for Math--and Change--in the School Library
Chapter 9 - Nuestro Diccionario (Our Dictionary): Student Lexicography
Chapter 10 - Closing the Digital Divide Around the World
Part III - Imagining Educational Futures
Chapter 11 - Framing Directions for Change
Chapter 12 - Implementing Change
Appendix: Vignettes
“Media Assassins” at the 99 St. School
The Algebra Project
California Students Use Technology to Connect with Tsunami Survivors
Student Generated Databases Using Knowledge ForumÒ in the Eastern Arctic
Educational Video Center
Authors in the Classroom: “The Early Authors Program”
Virtual Pre-K
“Write the Truth”
DiaLogos: A Sister Class Exchange between Greece and Canada
Dual Language Bookmaking
References