Research
This section includes more specific discussion and rationales for including technology in the classroom.
Research guides our practice. As educators, we turn to research to help us plan and design our programs. We do this all of the time for literacy and numeracy. For example, phonics versus whole language? How much of each should be included for a balanced program? What do the experts say? What are the district policies and views? What do the Provincial Ministry standards say? What do the experts say? Technology is no different. Especially in today's age. We need to turn to research to help guide us along this changing path.
I have included a number of different sources so that teachers can start where they feel most comfortable.
The inclusion of technology can be found in standards and recommendations from the BC Ministry of Education and in the NCTE's 21st century literacies. These are excellent starting points for those with limited experience with the inclusion of technology and its role in 21st century learning.
This section is meant for those who would like to explore the uses and resources of technology on a deeper level. It is important to note that I've included only sources that I am familiar with, and that many more can be found. If there is anything you feel would make a good addition to this page, please leave a comment in the contact section of this page.
Research guides our practice. As educators, we turn to research to help us plan and design our programs. We do this all of the time for literacy and numeracy. For example, phonics versus whole language? How much of each should be included for a balanced program? What do the experts say? What are the district policies and views? What do the Provincial Ministry standards say? What do the experts say? Technology is no different. Especially in today's age. We need to turn to research to help guide us along this changing path.
I have included a number of different sources so that teachers can start where they feel most comfortable.
The inclusion of technology can be found in standards and recommendations from the BC Ministry of Education and in the NCTE's 21st century literacies. These are excellent starting points for those with limited experience with the inclusion of technology and its role in 21st century learning.
This section is meant for those who would like to explore the uses and resources of technology on a deeper level. It is important to note that I've included only sources that I am familiar with, and that many more can be found. If there is anything you feel would make a good addition to this page, please leave a comment in the contact section of this page.
Let's start with Curriculum.
Digital Literacy is embedded within the BC curriculum. The Applied Design, Skills and Technologies Curriculum outlines technology in learning. See the PDF below for the specifics at each grade.
Digital Literacy is embedded within the BC curriculum. The Applied Design, Skills and Technologies Curriculum outlines technology in learning. See the PDF below for the specifics at each grade.
en_adst_k-9_curricular_competencies.pdf |
The BC Ministry of Education maintains that "digital literacy is an important skill to have in today's technology based world.
The Ministry of Education defines digital literacy as the interest, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others”.
The Ministry of Education defines digital literacy as the interest, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others”.
The BC Ministry of Education has also produced a Digital literacy Framework, for Grade K-12, which I've included in PDF form.
digital-literacy-framework.pdf |
Language Arts Curriculum
A number of Language Arts outcomes can be supported by using many of the tools and apps that I have included on this website. Reading, writing, speaking are central in all. Even a 30 second audio clip touches on these. These can help build confidence and skill sets. Check out the curriculum standards for your grade to see how these can be integrated.
A number of Language Arts outcomes can be supported by using many of the tools and apps that I have included on this website. Reading, writing, speaking are central in all. Even a 30 second audio clip touches on these. These can help build confidence and skill sets. Check out the curriculum standards for your grade to see how these can be integrated.
NCTE The National Council of Teachers of English
The definition of 'being literate' has changed greatly in the last decade, and technology plays a central role in this change. 21st century literacies are now a focus in education, and can be directly linked to all curricular areas. It is important for educators to understand current ideas and standards.
This is from the NCTE: "Literacy has always been a collection of cultural and communicative practices shared among members of particular groups. As society and technology change, so does literacy. Because technology has increased the intensity and complexity of literate environments, the twenty-first century demands that a literate person possess a wide range of abilities and competencies, many literacies. These literacies—from reading online newspapers to participating in virtual classrooms—are multiple, dynamic, and malleable. As in the past, they are inextricably linked with particular histories, life possibilities and social trajectories of individuals and groups.
Twenty-first century readers and writers need to
• develop proficiency with the tools of technology
• build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally
• 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" (NCTE)
The definition of 'being literate' has changed greatly in the last decade, and technology plays a central role in this change. 21st century literacies are now a focus in education, and can be directly linked to all curricular areas. It is important for educators to understand current ideas and standards.
This is from the NCTE: "Literacy has always been a collection of cultural and communicative practices shared among members of particular groups. As society and technology change, so does literacy. Because technology has increased the intensity and complexity of literate environments, the twenty-first century demands that a literate person possess a wide range of abilities and competencies, many literacies. These literacies—from reading online newspapers to participating in virtual classrooms—are multiple, dynamic, and malleable. As in the past, they are inextricably linked with particular histories, life possibilities and social trajectories of individuals and groups.
Twenty-first century readers and writers need to
• develop proficiency with the tools of technology
• build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally
• 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" (NCTE)
More Resources
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- Common Sense Education is a comprehensive resource. It offers general information, reviews, and tools for all aspects of digital literacy. There are tips, videos, lesson plans, topic toolkits, detailed app and tool descriptions, and articles. There are many web 2.0 tools included in this resource, complete with pros/cons reviews from educators that are realistic and useful. Each app has recommended grade levels and detailed explanations of how to use the technology. This is an excellent resource for teachers looking to use new technology in their teaching.
- MediaSmarts is another comprehensive website that lists current and fundamental components of digital literacy. It targets several audiences, with information and resources geared for educators, parents and students. It contains a Canadian Digital Literacy Framework that is categorized according to grade levels. Many teacher resources are available, and are easy to understand. This is a valuable resource for those looking to increase their understanding of digital literacy and technologies.
Why School? How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere, by Will Richardson, challenges traditional thinking about education and questions its value in its current form given our new technological age. He raises good discussion points around how schools need to prepare students for the real world by helping them become more digitally literate. This is an excellent, and quick read (51 pages) that provides perspective and asks questions about how educators can begin to change, or develop, new classroom practice around learning and technology.
Also check out the Why School? Ted Blog posted by Jim Daly |
I've included a few articles for those interested in exploring the discussions around technology inclusion in education on a deeper level.
Articles:
nurturing_young_readers__article.pdf |
The article "Nurturing Young Readers: How Digital Media Can Promote Literacy Instead of Undermining It," examines how the use of technology can enhance and promote literacy. The topics discussed underscore serious debate about the amount of screen time that children are accessing today. It discusses how technology should be used given its importance in daily life.
Personalised and Self Regulated Learning in the Web 2.0 Era
This article discusses ways that web 2.0 tools and technologies are able to support learning relative to our current world. The authors argue that when used appropriately, these tools can shift control to the learner. Current realities and challenges are discussed in detail.
This article discusses ways that web 2.0 tools and technologies are able to support learning relative to our current world. The authors argue that when used appropriately, these tools can shift control to the learner. Current realities and challenges are discussed in detail.
mclo_lee_ajet_2010__1_.pdf |
What Research Tells Us About Using Technology In The Classroom, by Richmond and Troisi examine the pros and cons of technology in schools and provide research backed suggestions.
Access the article here
Access the article here
Technology In The Classroom: 10 Reasons To Implement It, by education writer Janelle Cox, lists and explores reasons for supporting and implementing technology in schools.
Access the article here
Access the article here
Videos:
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"Reimagining Classrooms: Teachers as Learners and Students as Leaders."
This is one of my favourite videos. Kayla Delzer is an award winning teacher, and an expert on technology in teaching. She discusses realistic ways that teachers can implement apps and technology tools into their teaching programs using a “student teaching student” model. “Technology can truly revolutionize education — but only if educators make wise choices about what is used and how it’s used.” An importance is placed on using technology in meaningful ways. Apps and tools are recommended for the purposes of invoking creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. This is a resource that inspires deep thinking about digital technology and planning for 21st century learning. |
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What If? Let's Reimagine Learning. Technology Can Help
In this video Kerry Gallagher asks the question "What if?" and discusses some of the scepticism that may exist around technology. She reminds us that we are all learners, regardless of whether we are students, teachers or parents. She asks us to think of what we’d like to learn, and how technology can help. This is a good starting point if you feel reluctant. It's empowering, positive and makes things seem achievable. |
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Introduction to Digital Literacy-Media Smarts
This is a short, basic video highlighting why it's important to be digitally literate, and what that means. |