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Learning Through Digital Media

Learning Through Digital Media
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Resources | Teaching With and About Technology Jim Wilson/The New York TimesStudents have always faced distractions and time-wasters. But computers and cellphones, and the constant stream of stimuli they offer, pose a profound new challenge to focusing and learning.Go to related article » Updated | Feb. 2013 What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using technology for learning? Are tech tools essentials, distractions or somewhere in between? We present a collection of Learning Network resources, Times multimedia and articles and useful outside links to help both digital immigrants and digital natives think through these questions. Please tell us what you think, or share your own ideas or experiences! Student Opinion Questions All of the questions below are still open to comment by students. What Tech Tools Play the Biggest Role in Your Life? How Careful Are You Online? Are You Distracted by Technology? Does Facebook Ever Make You Feel Bad? Are Digital Photographs Too Plentiful to Be Meaningful? Do You Know How to Code? Lesson Plans

Common Misconceptions of Educators Who Fear Technology Education is currently at a crossroads as traditional methods and tools are changing as a result of advances in technology and learning theory. We are beginning to see some schools across the country take the lead in merging sound pedagogy with the effective integration of technology. These schools and educators, whether they realize it or not, are not only enhancing the teaching and learning process, but they are also providing their learners with essential skill sets pivotal for success in today’s society. These skill sets include critical thinking/problem solving, media literacy, collaboration, creativity, technological proficiency, and global awareness. Image credit: Even as we are seeing more schools and educators transform the way they teach and learn with technology, many more are not. Time: The time excuse seems to rear its ugly head more than any other excuse not to move forward with technology integration.

Teaching Students to Effectively Use the Internet A search engine is essentially a database that points to Web sites and Internet resources. The search engine database is compiled by means of often called spiders, crawlers, or bots. These spiders, crawlers and bots are programmed to find web pages, follow all the links they contain and add any new information they find to the master database. It is important to remember that when you are using a search engine, you are not really searching the entire Internet, but a database of pages and resources from the Internet compiled by the bots. Once the information has been collected by the robot programs it is turned over to the search engine's indexing program. When you submit a query or question to the search engine, a searches the database compiled by the robot programs and indexing programs, identifies items that match your query and organizes and displays them in a particular order based on the relevancy or how closely they match your query. Search engine results can be misleading

How to Infuse Digital Literacy Throughout the Curriculum So how are we doing on the push to teach “digital literacy” across the K12 school spectrum? From my perspective as a school-based technology coach and history teacher, I’d say not as well as we might wish – in part because our traditional approach to curriculum and instruction wants to sort everything into its place. Digital literacy is defined as “the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies.” Many educational and business professional cite is as a critical 21st century skill. Even so, many schools have struggled to adapt it into their curriculum. This is often because most institutions already have rigorous, established curricula with little wiggle room – and this is especially true in schools subject to state and federal testing. Evaluating online content is a research skill For example, when my students do research in US History, they are not only allowed but encouraged to use online content.

5 Dimensions Of Critical Digital Literacy: A Framework 5 Dimensions Of Critical Digital Literacy: A Framework Digital Literacy is increasingly important in an age where many students read as much on screens as they do from books. In fact, the very definition of many of these terms is changing as the overlap across media forms increases. Interactive eBooks can function like both long-form blogs and traditional books. Threaded email can look and function like social media. Email and texting and social media messaging are increasingly similar. This is the modern digital era. The above framework was developed by Juliet Hinrichsen and Antony Coombs at the University of Greenwich. The framework is minimalist in design, forgoing any kind of analysis of each dimension, or examples of how readers may use them, but that’s part of its charm: At a glance it refracts digital literacy rather succinctly. 5 Dimensions Of Digital Literacy 1. Focus: the media–modes, structures, and conventions of digital media 2. Focus: the reader–style, purpose, interpretation 3.

Digital Differentiation Technology is a tool that can be used to help teachers facilitate learning experiences that address the diverse learning needs of all students and help them develop 21st Century Skills. At it's most basic level, digital tools can be used to help students find, understand and use information. When combined with student-driven learning experiences fueled by Essential Questions offering flexible learning paths, it can be the ticket to success. Note: The interactive graphics you see below have been updated. The goal is to design student-driven learning experiences that are fueled by standards-based Essential Questions and facilitated by digital tools to provide students with flexible learning paths. Essential Questions: Student-driven learning experiences should be driven by standards-based Essential Questions. Flexible Learning Paths:Use digital tools to provide students with flexible learning paths to meet their unique learning styles. Teacher Facilitated Learning Experiences:

3 ways to help students do efficient online research Today’s students don’t know the world without the internet. They spend days and nights on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat but hardly know how to translate all this information into learning. Gen Z doesn’t necessarily think critically about what they find online. As educators, we can teach the academic side of the internet to them. Why is it so critical? • Online research skills and critical writing are among must-haves for students’ progress through college life and future career.• Studies show that young people don’t focus on the credibility of sources they use; they can’t explain why they choose certain websites, authors, and publications.• Surveys demonstrate that many students don’t understand how to use online sources to support their arguments. Educators can help students evaluate online information efficiently. Lesley Vos, Contributing Writer, eSchool News Lesley Vos is a former teacher of the French language for high school students from Chicago.

Digital Literacy Framework - Grades 9-12 Contrary to popular belief, cyberbullying remains a problem in high school. Students in these grades should learn the ways that they can speak out and make a difference, both in cases of individual cyberbullying and in building more tolerant and respectful online spaces. Cell phone ownership also peaks in older grades. That makes it essential to teach these students how to balance their online and offline lives and deal with the stresses of social media. Secondary students turn to the Internet for news and current affairs, making it essential that they learn to use finding and verifying skills both inside and outside the classroom. Teens depend on media such as TV shows, magazines, the Web and social media to learn about topics of interest, especially subjects that are embarrassing or taboo such as sexuality, relationships and mental health issues. Young Canadians in a Wired World backgrounders:Profiles of Kids in Grades 8-9Profiles of Kids in Grades 10-11 Alcohol on the Web Grades: 9-10

Padlet For Teachers: The Best Tips, Tricks, and Ideas For Your Classroom Meaningful ways for teachers and students to collaborate online are more important than ever. That’s why so many educators love Padlet, a digital bulletin board tool. It gives teachers, students, and even parents an easy way to share ideas, review work, and a whole lot more. Wondering what it’s all about? Here’s our guide to Padlet for teachers, including plenty of clever ways to use it with your students. What is Padlet? Think of Padlet as an online bulletin board, but with a lot of things a regular bulletin board could never do. One of the best things about Padlet for teachers is how very easy it is to use, even for young students. Is Padlet free? Padlet’s free version for all users allows you to create up to three Padlet boards at a time. If you decide you’re willing to pay for an upgrade, there are two options. Padlet also offers Backpack for Schools, a bulk pricing plan that gives schools more privacy options, extra security, student portfolios, and more. Ready to give it a try? 1.

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