As I dove into the resources on digital literacy, I felt very confident about my 2nd and 3rd graders' abilities and skill sets when it comes to using digital tools for learning and creating. This year my students have learned a handful of new tools, and I must say that as the teacher of this group of students I simply have to introduce a new tool to them, and show them an example of how it could be used, and they will take off with it, figure out all of the features, and teach each other and myself.
Teaching digital literacy sounds pretty complicated, as it encompasses a lot, and I think a lot of teachers who did not grow up or begin their carreers with technology in the classroom feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and the possibilities out there. As a younger teacher at my school site with mostly veteran teachers, I feel that it has been my responsibility to intrucude my collegaues to a lot of digital tools. All of my colleagues are very open to trying the tools, and they find that once they use a tool in the classroom, it sticks with the students and they are able to manage it quite easily. I think that is the best approach to digital literacy. Explore one thing at a time, with your students. Have no expectation that this will be something you use in the classroom on a regular basis- just test it out and see if it works for you and your class. Students today are so used to being around techology constantly that it comes easily to mose of them, and has really become our responsibility to teach them how to use it for learning, and in an appropriate manner- which is why digital citizenship goes hand in hand with digital literacy.
5 Comments
An Truong
2/26/2018 01:01:05 pm
That is me, I get overwhelmed with all the technology lingo and information. I am grateful that you understand that some may need time and explore one thing at a time. But students pick up technology information pretty quickly. As I mentioned to Amanda's blog, my seven year old twin nieces are like pro's at electronic devices. That impresses me a lot that you have to introduce a new tool to your students.
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Amanda Olson
2/26/2018 09:06:03 pm
I very much appreciate your approach to digital literacy in the classroom and I am sure your colleagues at your school site very much appreciate it as well. Introducing new technology becomes very doable when you are able to approach it in a manner that is more of an attempt/experiment rather than something required and critical. If you are able to simply test out a piece of technology in an experiment to determine if it can become a useful tool in reaching the needs of your students rather than employing it in a manner in which it not working out is not an option. We need to implement and integrate technology that can be used as tools/vehicles to deliver, enhance, and connect the skills and standards being taught. Technology should not be held and practiced as a separate entity in the classroom that only simply meets the function of the use of technology, but instead it should be employed as a tool of facilitation in which individual learning needs are met, and personal student interests are explored. This post has reminded me that I need to keep in mind that I do not need to be a master at something before I attempt its' implementation in the classroom, but rather allow students to drive their implementation as well.
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Scott Marsden
2/27/2018 04:52:38 pm
Kayla,
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Rian
2/27/2018 05:25:41 pm
I appreciate your approach to teaching digital literacy. I like that you give students and yourself time to manage one site/app at a time. It's also very helpful that you acknowledge that some of us old timers need a hand every now and then :).
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Heather
2/27/2018 08:07:31 pm
What you said about students learning digital tools is true. Show it to them once and they've got, or they are showing each other how to work it within minutes! It is so important that our students are tech savvy with so many of today's assessments online.
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AuthorKayla Bryant is an elementary school teacher in Napa, CA. This year she teaches a 2/3 combo class. She keeps a journal with funny quotes from her students, and enjoys learning and laughing alongside them. Some of her main educational interests are related to goal setting, growth mindset, and creativity. Archives
July 2018
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