Digital LiteracyProfessional

DevelopmentPresented by

Lindsey LaBarge and Pauline LaBarge

CIED 7601Dr. Vanderbilt

February 19, 2009

Digital Literacy Definition

“The ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via computer” (University Library, 2008). (University Library,

2008)

(Una’s Blog, n.d.)

Web 2.0 Tools DefinitionJust for fun, when you have some spare time, go on the Internet and try to find a conclusive definition for Web 2.0 Tools. It’s not easy because there are so many variations, but from our perspective …

Web 2.0 tools are interactive platforms that encourage digital communication above simply retrieving information. Web 2.0 tools encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

NETS Addressed NETS-T IVa: Teachers advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources. (ISTE, 2008). NETS-A IID: Administrators will facilitate the use of technologies to support and enhance instructional methods that develop higher- level thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. (ISTE, 2008).

Focus Question

How can educators use today’s Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis, blogs, webquests, etc. to prepare students to be digitally literate citizens?

Related Questions

How can educators maintain a safe learning environment while using

new technologies, such as Web 2.0 tools, to prepare students to be

digitally literate? Is digital literacy improved or hindered by Internet access restrictions/filtering?

Objectives Learners will demonstrate knowledge of

digital literacy by providing examples of how they safely use Web 2.0 tools to

teach course objectives to their students. Learners will discuss Web 2.0 scenarios to determine appropriate or inappropriate use. Learners will evaluate Internet restrictions/filtering scenarios for appropriate or excessive levels.

What is Filtering/Restrictions?

Filtering is software that allows its user to block specific words and/or

phrases from being accessed via the Internet. Restrictions are the level at which access to the blocked words are allowed, i.e. low, medium, high. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/ cipa.html

How Web 2.0 ToolsEnhance Education

Web 2.0 tools … allow online collaboration that can enhance student engagement. allow users to access, share and interact with

information anywhere in the world at anytime. provide authentic learning opportunities. create a worldwide learning community. (Langwitches, 2008)

help prevent student dropouts. (ERIC Clearinghouse, n.d.)

Examples of Web 2.0 Tools Moodle: http://moodle.org/

an online course management system myWebspiration: http://mywebspiration.com/

an online concept mapping tool that encourages collaboration TeacherTube: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ TeacherTube

an website for sharing educational videos that is usually not filtered Wiki: http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki

an online collaborative tool that allows easy creation and editing of web pages

Digital Literacy Scenario #1Ms. Montenegro wants to help her students strengthen their digital literacy through a group project. To achieve this goal she assigns a research project that requires her students to use digital information to write a newspaper article outlining how the Civil War affected families; however, this information must be gathered from primary sources. How can Ms. Montenegro prepare her students to safely and successfully complete this assignment?Which of the Web 2.0 tools presented earlier would be best for this scenario?

Digital Literacy Scenario #2

Mr. Turner is creating an online course. How can he incorporate formative assessments to help him ensure his students are engaged in classroom learning?Which of the Web 2.0 tools presented earlier could Mr. Turner use to create online formative assessments?

Digital Literacy Scenario #3Mr. Laredo has found a perfect video about dissecting a frog to share with his biology students; however, he cannot access the video at school due to Internet restrictions.Is this an appropriate or excessive use of Internet restrictions? What steps should Mr. Laredo take to ensure adequate access for his students to necessary information?Which of the Web 2.0 tools presented earlier would usually not be filtered in school settings?

Digital Literacy Scenario #4Ms. Chung is introducing her students to a sister school in Hong Kong. They are required to interact with the students in their sister school to gain cultural knowledge of Hong Kong. Together, they are to develop a solution to the smog problem that is causing many deaths each year. Which of the Web 2.0 tools presented earlier could Ms. Chung teach her students to use in order to complete this lesson’s requirements?How can she protect her students while using this particular tool?

Course Evaluation

Did this course provide enough information to allow you to meet its objectives? Did this course meet your expectations? What part of the course did you find most interesting? Were there any parts that were unnecessary? Do you have any comments that may make the course more effective/interesting?

References ERIC Clearinghouse. (n.d.) The dropout’s perspective on leaving school. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from

http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-927/leaving.htm. ISTE. (2008). National education technology standards.

Retrieved January 15, 2009, from http://www.iste. org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS.

Langwitches. (2008). Web 2.0 tools that can promote literacy and global awareness. Retrieved February

15, 2009, from http://langwitches.org/blog/articles/ web-20-tools-can-promote-literacy-and-global-awareness/. Una’s Blog. (n.d.) Albert Einstein image. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://unabee.edublogs. org/2008/03/27/digital-literacy/. University Library. (2008, October 15). Digital literacy

definition and resources. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www.library.uiuc.edu/diglit/

definition.html.