Assignment #3: Digital Literacy

Readings & resources on digital literacy

Definition of Digital Literacy

http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/21stcentdefinition

NCTE Multimodal Literacies

http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/multimodalliteracies

Read write think lesson plan-

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/critical-media-literacy-programs-96.html?tab=1#tabs

Blog Post:

What is digital literacy and how can you help students develop it?

Digital literacy is definitely more than simply knowing how to send and receive text messages or watch an online video.  It means having the ability and knowledge to use the wide range of technology tools for the varied purposes there are.  A digitally literate individual has the ability to use technology strategically to find and evaluate information, connect and collaborate with others, produce and share original content, and ultimately use the internet and accompanying technology tools to achieve not only academic, but professional and personal goals.

According to  NCTE Executive Committee, the definintion of 21st Century literacies evolves as society and technology does. As they recognize how technology has altered the way we view literacy they have recognized the need to address this trajectory.  Their definition of an individual participant in our society is described here,
The summary statement developed by the Multimodal Literacies Issue Management Team of the NCTE Executive Committee provided declarations concerning the broadest definitions of multimodal literacies by the NCTE.  They preface these definitions with a quote by William Kist,”Has there ever been a time when we have not been awash in a rmarkable torrent of symbols and opportunities for reading and writing them?” acknowledging the huge proliferation of symbols we decode daily on the World Wide Web which is accessible to anyone, anywhere they have access.

Active, successful participants in this 21st century global society must be able to

• Develop proficiency and fluency with the tools of technology;

• Build intentional cross-cultural connections and relationships with others so to pose and solve problems collaboratively and strengthen independent thought;

• Design and share information for global communities to meet a variety of purposes;

• Manage, analyze, and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information;

• Create, critique, analyze, and evaluate multimedia texts;

• Attend to the ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments.

I hope to perpetuate the skillful use of this range of technology recognizing what the NTCE has listed as essential.  This ability to garner these skills in the range of technology is essential for success after high school as our young adults continue their education or enter the workforce or even juggle school and work-which is what I hope to incorporate.  The digital literacy I hope to help students develop is the cornerstone of the goals I’d like to teach .The ultimate goal of is to teach students digital literacy and prepare them for college and careers.

I have initiated this process with the implementation of digital literacy goals for the 9th grade at our school. I am currently working with another social studies teacher who has the other half of the 9th graders. We are teaching our students online research skills, web site evaluation lessons, the tools of using online citation engines, and PaperRater. Our next phase involves collaboration. The chromebooks that will be housed in my classroom will be our tools to get our 9th graders going. We will distribute internet use permission forms, assist our students with sign ups for gmail accounts, and continue monitoring their use of our collaborative online gradebook program. When we have all of our students on google, we will continue with this phase as we will have our students posting their assignments online as well as sharing them online for peer collaboration and edit activities. These are the type of skills that we hope will ensure 21st century global citizens mentioned in the summary statement developed by the Mulitmodal LIteracies Issue Management Team of the NCTE Executive Committee. They will continue their skill of designing and sharing information for our global society through the use of online presentation programs like Prezi. This kind ofMany of our students have this option of using such cites to share what they have researched and synthesized. As mentioned, our next goal is to promote collaboration. We will probably use cites like Padlet to ensure such collaboration and sharing.

Works Cited:

A First Step toward Digital Literacy. (n.d.).Education Development Center, Inc.. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.edc.org/newsroom/articles/first

Digital Learning. (n.d.). Digital Literacy: Maine State Library. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.state.me.us/msl/digital/

Digital Literacy for Digital Natives and Their Professors. (n.d.). HASTAC. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.hastac.org/blogs/steven-l-berg/2013/03/22/digital-literacy-digital-natives-and-their-professors

What's new. (n.d.). Book Net Candada. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2013/1/6/from-digital-literacy-to-digital-fluency.html#.VEVub_ldXbAL or keyword...

Assignment #2: Digital Citizenship Blog Post

Assignment #2 - Digital Citizenship

• Read and watch the following resources on digital citizenship:

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship:

http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html

Connecting via Social Media:

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/ice-bucket-challenge-bellringer/

Video: Cyber Bullying:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVSAFhTjAdc

• Post: Why is it important to educate young adolescents about digital citizenship.  Connect these ideas to what you know about young adolescents.  How might you engage your class in activities to promote digital citizenship?

We live in a connected world.  New information technologies have greatly changed the world in which today’s youth learn and grow. They are inundated with an array of Internet-enabled devices coupled with immense resources of the Internet.  This access is accompanied with tremendous opportunity for our youth  to learn, share, and communicate. Today’s youth are immersed in this new digital environment. They are essentially "growing- up" online.

As educators in the 21st century, we need to recognize good digital citizenship, when using computers, gaming consoles, or mobile devices, to promote a safer online environment for all. Digital citizenship is usually defined as the "norms of behavior with regard to technology use." according to Mike Ribble, an education researcher and early advocate of digital citizenship .It encompasses digital literacy, ethics, etiquette, online safety, norms, rights, culture and more.  In Ribble's, Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship, he explains, "Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/young people/technology users should know to use technology 

appropriately. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage." Ribble also offers the concept of Respect, Educate, and Protect (REPs) to explain and teach the themes of digital citizenship.  Each area that he presents encompasses the topics that would be taught and graduated through to ensure understanding of the basic ideas of digital citizenship.   As we roll-out our Google Chromebooks to our students, I will work with the 9th grade team to incorporate our school's Acceptable Use Policy form.  We will be working to get all of our ninth graders gmail and google drive.  I will continue to engage my students in purposeful assignments like the Ice Bucket Challenge bellringer, to teach directly citizenship concepts. 

The PBS Digital Studios, Bad Behavior Online: Bullying, Trolling & Free Speech  highlights some of the cruelest and hurtful aspects of humanity with issues such as bullying online and trolling.  This video resource reminds us of what we need to cover as 21st century educators. This resource from Microsoft will assist me in covering such: