# data[].attributes.headline
Mary's  summary of Nicole's photo galler

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Mary's  summary of Nicole's photo galler

# data[].attributes.body
I really like the "Sign" photo as I feel that you can expand the written explanation to encompass so much of what is happening in the area of literacy currently. However, the games idea really struck me as being important too. I'm torn between these two as being your best options to use in your final pick for a visual metaphor for your final paper.

Thank you for sharing your ideas, Nicole!

Mary

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This was the strongest metaphor, in my opinion. Your comparison to this lonely stop sign and your population's apprehension to the world beyond, is extremely representative. Everything that you have written in your reflection very effectively communicates reality. Focusing too much on one or two literacy types could still render one "illiterate" in the world beyond.

Thank you for this strong visual metaphor!

Mary :o)

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The iPods probably also provide the opportunity for games to be played. Making meaning is an important component of literacy!

Your photo provides a personal touch, bringing past and prestent together in on meaningful place in your house. It is also important mention the social benefit that games have for people, young and old. Games bring us together. Communication (representing and interpreting, encoding and decoding) is at the core of literacy. Games are a HUGE part of this communication from an early age (peek-a-boo for example).

I enjoyed this personal photo. I hadn't considered how I (or we) use games to enhance literacy. Thank you for bringing this forward!

Mary :o)

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Mary's response to "Which form of reading is best?"

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Mary's response to "Which form of reading is best?"

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for demonstrating how technology can support students to access text in a variety of ways. It is important to recognize how this support can bridge the gap when working with students who have a variety of needs. It is interesting how we have determined that reading text is the "traditional" way to tell a story. However, oral storytelling precedes written stories and did for a long time. In a sense, we are now offering a combination of both "traditions" because it is possible to offer an audio version of the text. However, we would seem to still be locked in the written text, as there are no longer the same degree of variations and embellishments that can occur with solely oral format. We started writing stories so that we wouldn't lose them over time. Storytelling was often in song format too.

I love stories and storytelling. I try to instill this passion in my students. Reading is important, in my opinion. Whether it remains important for everyone, remains to be seen. Regardless, I try to infuse excitement for reading in my students. I also try to build their reading skills because having it as a form of communication removes barriers. All of these things continue to happen when I work with students, but in the end, I feel it is important to promote the art of storytelling in whatever format works for a student.

One of my students, who has language difficulties but loves to draw and is good at drawing, has come up with some wonderful storytelling tidbits based on pictures that he had created. After praising him for his verbal storytelling, he told me that somehow when he is able to use art to write, he has an easier time. He has a "language disability" but is able to identify and articulate this within himself.

Your picture obviously has created a thousand words! Stories are important!

Mary

ps I love Sam's suggested title too! :)

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Sam's Feedback - Which Form of Reading is Best

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Sam's Feedback - Which Form of Reading is Best

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Suggested caption – Novel reading in variety of formats – what a novel idea!

I like the idea of a literacy period where a reading coach is available.

I also like that you give students that choice for choosing the format for reading their chosen novel.

I am impressed with the fact that you see it as a positive thing when you discovered that students were using formats that
you had not prescribed.

I know of a few teachers who would have issue with this.

The important factor as you state is that students are reading regardless of the tool that they choose

What a Novel idea!

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Good on you for exposing your children to a variety of reading material.

I love the idea of a literacy shelf!  Many people dismiss
digital devices such as ipods and categorize them in the negative Screen Time category.

I like how you acknowledge that these devices represent new tools for reference
and creation(including voice and video) which are very important features of literacy today.

My suggestions for this photo would be to add a few digital devices that stand out in the photo.

The books and the globe are easily seen but I cannot make out the iPods.

Sam

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I really like the metaphor use of the solitary stop sign as
a comparison to the students in your area not being prepared to drive in city.  I agree with the concern you have of limiting
literacy to only print material.  We need
to prepare students for all types of literacy including the several formats
that exist in the digital world.

Sam

# data[].attributes.body
I tried to get the whole document to show up, and then thought I had it figured out by saving each photo caption/reflection individually. In the end, I couldn't get "Opportunity" to show up. I later realized when you click on the book icon, you can see the whole document in a word format. So sorry for the awkwardness! You can click on it, and it will enlarge, but the picture quality becomes poor. Hopefully you get the main idea from my descriptions!

Nicole

# data[].attributes.headline
PICTURE
1
 
  
  Picture Caption
   
  
  
  
  Which
  form of reading is the best?
   
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
  
  
  Picture Caption	  Which form of reading is the best?Describe your Picture	Students sitting around a table reading novels in a variety of formats, including traditional print and graphic novels, as well as various digital and audio formats.What is Happening in your picture?	During our literacy period, students from grades 6-9 either work with a reading coach or silent read in a room such as this. These students are each reading a novel that they have selected, in a format that they have chosen. The only contrived part of this photo is that I asked them all to sit at one table for the photo.Why did you take a picture Of this?	As I was supervising my class one day I was suddenly aware of the variety of formats, some of which I didn’t really put much value into such as graphic novels, unpublished online novels and audio versions of books from Youtube vs. those paid for through iTunes/Audible etc..What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	Reading is important, and however students access literature, it is still important that students can read for pleasure or at least in their areas of interest, and with whichever supports are available.How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	I think the view that texts must come from novels, short stories, newspaper articles and text books etc. is antiquated. If at this moment we focus just on the novel as the text for reading, each of the students feature a form of reading material that works for them the best. FYI - All of the devices in the picture were personally owned, although we do have iPod shuffles that students can borrow as well.PICTURE 2Picture Caption	  SignDescribe your Picture	A stop sign at an intersection in the middle of farmers’ fields.What is Happening in your picture?	Other than the gloomy skies, nothing is happening in this picture.Why did you take a picture Of this?	This solitary stop sign is fairly reflective of the signage (other than a yield sign) that residents of my area are exposed to. The closest traffic light is 50km away, and the town boasts only 3 traffic lights. I think of the many adults and teens who are fearful of driving in larger centers because there is too much visual information and distractions. They also feel ill-equipped with the knowledge and experience they have with the road signage they might encounter.What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	I feel that students may be unprepared for effective reading on the Internet, just as our teens are unprepared for driving in larger centers. If we limit literacy to print materials only (such as limiting our drivers to our two signs), and don’t give students the required vocabulary to understand the information, it may cause serious problems. We need to provide students with the tools to focus and discern useful information from the distractions so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or apprehensive.  How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	 I think that this raises awareness that students need to be exposed to a variety of signs, texts, modes of literacy so that they can feel comfortable in navigating the online world or any other version of literacy.PICTURE 3Picture Caption	  Meaning Making Describe your Picture	Bookshelf on my living room with craft supplies, reference materials and games. In front is a globe and iPods charging on top of more games.What is Happening in your picture?	It is a collection of materials, tools and games waiting to be used.Why did you take a picture Of this?	Everything in this picture is related to the processes of making meaning, either through assisting with reading and understanding or with writing and creating some sort of product. What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	I started compiling materials on this book shelf as soon as my children became old enough to read, play games and create. Many of these resources and games are from my childhood. Literacy skills are necessary for utilizing any of these items pictured, as they each require a different kind of interpretation and manipulation. Coincidentally the iPods are present, and represent new tools for reference materials and creation, including voice recording and video.How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	Students need to be exposed to a variety of tools to help them build their understanding, as well as  a variety experiences through which to use their understandings (such as games) and different ways to express themselves. This shows a contrast between what was deemed as important in the past, and what could be newly available in an e-format. Students sitting around a table reading
  novels in a variety of formats, including traditional print and graphic
  novels, as well as various digital and audio formats.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  During our literacy period, students from
  grades 6-9 either work with a reading coach or silent read in a room such as
  this. These students are each reading a novel that they have selected, in a
  format that they have chosen. The only contrived part of this photo is that I
  asked them all to sit at one table for the photo.
   
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  As I was supervising my class one day I was
  suddenly aware of the variety of formats, some of which I didn’t really put
  much value into such as graphic novels, unpublished online novels and audio
  versions of books from Youtube vs. those paid for through iTunes/Audible etc..
   
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  Reading is important, and however students
  access literature, it is still important that students can read for pleasure
  or at least in their areas of interest, and with whichever supports are
  available.
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  I think the view that texts must come from
  novels, short stories, newspaper articles and text books etc. is antiquated.
  If at this moment we focus just on the novel as the text for reading, each of
  the students feature a form of reading material that works for them the best.
  FYI - All of the devices in the picture were personally owned, although we do
  have iPod shuffles that students can borrow as well.
  
 
PICTURE
2 
 
  
  Picture Caption
  
  
  
  Sign
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
   
  
  
  A stop sign at an intersection in the middle of farmers’
  fields.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  Other than the gloomy skies, nothing is happening in this
  picture.
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  This solitary stop sign is fairly
  reflective of the signage (other than a yield sign) that residents of my area
  are exposed to. The closest traffic light is 50km away, and the town boasts
  only 3 traffic lights. I think of the many adults and teens who are fearful
  of driving in larger centers because there is too much visual information and
  distractions. They also feel ill-equipped with the knowledge and experience
  they have with the road signage they might encounter.
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  I feel that students may be unprepared for effective
  reading on the Internet, just as our teens are unprepared for driving in
  larger centers. If we limit literacy to print materials only (such as
  limiting our drivers to our two signs), and don’t give students the required
  vocabulary to understand the information, it may cause serious problems. We
  need to provide students with the tools to focus and discern useful
  information from the distractions so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or
  apprehensive. 
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  I
  think that this raises awareness that students need to be exposed to a
  variety of signs, texts, modes of literacy so that they can feel comfortable
  in navigating the online world or any other version of literacy.
  
 
PICTURE
3 
 
  
  Picture Caption
  
  
  
  Meaning Making 
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
   
  
  
  Bookshelf on my living room with craft supplies, reference
  materials and games. In front is a globe and iPods charging on top of more
  games.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  It is a collection of materials, tools and games waiting
  to be used.
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  Everything in this picture is related to
  the processes of making meaning, either through assisting with reading and
  understanding or with writing and creating some sort of product. 
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  I started compiling materials on this book
  shelf as soon as my children became old enough to read, play games and
  create. Many of these resources and games are from my childhood. Literacy
  skills are necessary for utilizing any of these items pictured, as they each
  require a different kind of interpretation and manipulation. Coincidentally
  the iPods are present, and represent new tools for reference materials and
  creation, including voice recording and video.
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  Students need to be exposed to a variety of
  tools to help them build their understanding, as well asa variety experiences through which to use
  their understandings (such as games) and different ways to express
  themselves. This shows a contrast between what was deemed as important in the
  past, and what could be newly available in an e-format. 
  
 
  

# data[].attributes.subject
PICTURE
1
 
  
  Picture Caption
   
  
  
  
  Which
  form of reading is the best?
   
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
  
  
  Picture Caption	  Which form of reading is the best?Describe your Picture	Students sitting around a table reading novels in a variety of formats, including traditional print and graphic novels, as well as various digital and audio formats.What is Happening in your picture?	During our literacy period, students from grades 6-9 either work with a reading coach or silent read in a room such as this. These students are each reading a novel that they have selected, in a format that they have chosen. The only contrived part of this photo is that I asked them all to sit at one table for the photo.Why did you take a picture Of this?	As I was supervising my class one day I was suddenly aware of the variety of formats, some of which I didn’t really put much value into such as graphic novels, unpublished online novels and audio versions of books from Youtube vs. those paid for through iTunes/Audible etc..What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	Reading is important, and however students access literature, it is still important that students can read for pleasure or at least in their areas of interest, and with whichever supports are available.How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	I think the view that texts must come from novels, short stories, newspaper articles and text books etc. is antiquated. If at this moment we focus just on the novel as the text for reading, each of the students feature a form of reading material that works for them the best. FYI - All of the devices in the picture were personally owned, although we do have iPod shuffles that students can borrow as well.PICTURE 2Picture Caption	  SignDescribe your Picture	A stop sign at an intersection in the middle of farmers’ fields.What is Happening in your picture?	Other than the gloomy skies, nothing is happening in this picture.Why did you take a picture Of this?	This solitary stop sign is fairly reflective of the signage (other than a yield sign) that residents of my area are exposed to. The closest traffic light is 50km away, and the town boasts only 3 traffic lights. I think of the many adults and teens who are fearful of driving in larger centers because there is too much visual information and distractions. They also feel ill-equipped with the knowledge and experience they have with the road signage they might encounter.What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	I feel that students may be unprepared for effective reading on the Internet, just as our teens are unprepared for driving in larger centers. If we limit literacy to print materials only (such as limiting our drivers to our two signs), and don’t give students the required vocabulary to understand the information, it may cause serious problems. We need to provide students with the tools to focus and discern useful information from the distractions so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or apprehensive.  How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	 I think that this raises awareness that students need to be exposed to a variety of signs, texts, modes of literacy so that they can feel comfortable in navigating the online world or any other version of literacy.PICTURE 3Picture Caption	  Meaning Making Describe your Picture	Bookshelf on my living room with craft supplies, reference materials and games. In front is a globe and iPods charging on top of more games.What is Happening in your picture?	It is a collection of materials, tools and games waiting to be used.Why did you take a picture Of this?	Everything in this picture is related to the processes of making meaning, either through assisting with reading and understanding or with writing and creating some sort of product. What does this picture Tell us about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?	I started compiling materials on this book shelf as soon as my children became old enough to read, play games and create. Many of these resources and games are from my childhood. Literacy skills are necessary for utilizing any of these items pictured, as they each require a different kind of interpretation and manipulation. Coincidentally the iPods are present, and represent new tools for reference materials and creation, including voice recording and video.How can this photograph provide Opportunities for us to expand our notion of what literacy is now?	Students need to be exposed to a variety of tools to help them build their understanding, as well as  a variety experiences through which to use their understandings (such as games) and different ways to express themselves. This shows a contrast between what was deemed as important in the past, and what could be newly available in an e-format. Students sitting around a table reading
  novels in a variety of formats, including traditional print and graphic
  novels, as well as various digital and audio formats.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  During our literacy period, students from
  grades 6-9 either work with a reading coach or silent read in a room such as
  this. These students are each reading a novel that they have selected, in a
  format that they have chosen. The only contrived part of this photo is that I
  asked them all to sit at one table for the photo.
   
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  As I was supervising my class one day I was
  suddenly aware of the variety of formats, some of which I didn’t really put
  much value into such as graphic novels, unpublished online novels and audio
  versions of books from Youtube vs. those paid for through iTunes/Audible etc..
   
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  Reading is important, and however students
  access literature, it is still important that students can read for pleasure
  or at least in their areas of interest, and with whichever supports are
  available.
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  I think the view that texts must come from
  novels, short stories, newspaper articles and text books etc. is antiquated.
  If at this moment we focus just on the novel as the text for reading, each of
  the students feature a form of reading material that works for them the best.
  FYI - All of the devices in the picture were personally owned, although we do
  have iPod shuffles that students can borrow as well.
  
 
PICTURE
2 
 
  
  Picture Caption
  
  
  
  Sign
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
   
  
  
  A stop sign at an intersection in the middle of farmers’
  fields.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  Other than the gloomy skies, nothing is happening in this
  picture.
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  This solitary stop sign is fairly
  reflective of the signage (other than a yield sign) that residents of my area
  are exposed to. The closest traffic light is 50km away, and the town boasts
  only 3 traffic lights. I think of the many adults and teens who are fearful
  of driving in larger centers because there is too much visual information and
  distractions. They also feel ill-equipped with the knowledge and experience
  they have with the road signage they might encounter.
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  I feel that students may be unprepared for effective
  reading on the Internet, just as our teens are unprepared for driving in
  larger centers. If we limit literacy to print materials only (such as
  limiting our drivers to our two signs), and don’t give students the required
  vocabulary to understand the information, it may cause serious problems. We
  need to provide students with the tools to focus and discern useful
  information from the distractions so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or
  apprehensive. 
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  I
  think that this raises awareness that students need to be exposed to a
  variety of signs, texts, modes of literacy so that they can feel comfortable
  in navigating the online world or any other version of literacy.
  
 
PICTURE
3 
 
  
  Picture Caption
  
  
  
  Meaning Making 
  
 
 
  
  Describe your
  Picture
   
   
  
  
  Bookshelf on my living room with craft supplies, reference
  materials and games. In front is a globe and iPods charging on top of more
  games.
  
 
 
  
  What is Happening in your picture?
   
   
  
  
  It is a collection of materials, tools and games waiting
  to be used.
  
 
 
  
  Why did you take a picture Of this?
   
  
  
  Everything in this picture is related to
  the processes of making meaning, either through assisting with reading and
  understanding or with writing and creating some sort of product. 
  
 
 
  
  What does this picture Tell us
  about your understanding or beliefs about literacy today?
   
  
  
  I started compiling materials on this book
  shelf as soon as my children became old enough to read, play games and
  create. Many of these resources and games are from my childhood. Literacy
  skills are necessary for utilizing any of these items pictured, as they each
  require a different kind of interpretation and manipulation. Coincidentally
  the iPods are present, and represent new tools for reference materials and
  creation, including voice recording and video.
  
 
 
  
  How can this photograph provide Opportunities
  for us to expand our notion of what
  literacy is now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  Students need to be exposed to a variety of
  tools to help them build their understanding, as well asa variety experiences through which to use
  their understandings (such as games) and different ways to express
  themselves. This shows a contrast between what was deemed as important in the
  past, and what could be newly available in an e-format. 
  
 
  