Exciting Thoughts from the Heights

I am reflecting quietly on some things that have happened in the past week or so w/ my kids' schooling, trying to figure out how to unwrap it here.  

In the meantime, here's a recent article from Edutopia describing how technology--the way KIDS use it--must shape our educational practice. It's written by Michele Knobel, the head of the reading department at Montclair State.  

I was supposed to matriculate in the masters reading program there this fall, but have put it off until January.  When we met a week ago to discuss my interests and the direction of my studies, Dr. Knobel encouraged me to investigate the PhD program in curriculum and teaching that may be offered next fall.  After all, I already have a masters in that area.   

I do plan to look into getting my doctorate (and not being a wage earner for another decade).  But the reading program still beckons.  One reason I applied to it is because there's a heavy emphasis on "new" literacies--how digital natives communicate information differently than in generations past, and how, in turn, technology can (and will!) reinforce the acquisition of literacy skills.

The other reason I'm excited about the program is that Dr. Knobel is the kind of vibrant thinker who sees things for what they are, but wants to make them better.   

My kind of gal.