Digital Literacy.

Although I think that our district is moving toward  helping staff and students become digitally literate, I think that staff has a ways to go as a whole to become more comfortable in this area.  Once staff are literate they  will then be able to help students become more digitally literate and be able to comfortably and efficiently accomplish what is explained below about digital literacy.

http://digitalliteracy.us/

• The ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information. ¹
• The ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via computers. ²
• A person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment... Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media, to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments. ³

Media literacy is a 21st century approach to education in which the Center for Media Literacy defines as:

• a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy. ⁴

The following are some links that would help educate staff on digital literacy, the importance of it and how to become more literate for staff and students.


http://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more

In doing so, teachers must help students become responsible digital citizens. Mike Ribble has two great books about this topic. Check out Raising a Digital Child and Digital Citizenship in Schools to learn more, both available at www.amazon.com.

http://www.p21.org/

Resources

1. Digital Strategy Glossary of Key Terms http://www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz/Media-Centre/Glossary-of-Key-Terms/ accessed August 21, 2008.
2. Paul Gilster, Digital Literacy, New York: Wiley and Computer Publishing, 1997, p.1.
3. Barbara R. Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne L. Flannigan: Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21st Century; http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/ConnectingtheDigitalDotsL/39969
4. Center for Media Literacy http://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more
5. Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, Law, and Today's Students are Revolutionizing Expectation, National Education Technology Plan 2004, U.S. Department of Education, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/plan.pdf
6. http://www.P21.org

Two Digital Citizenship elements that stick out to me as important topics we could cover at our school are Digital Etiquette and Digital Literacy. It seems that digital etiquette is needed for all...including students and staff. I believe this is something that needs to be taught and addressed on an ongoing basis.

I want to talk about digital literacy. I am speaking from my perspective, as well as my personal needs.  I am surprised all that is available to us through the digital world. I learn something new everyday about what is out there from creating your own magazine to share to twitter.  It seems impossible to keep up.  There are tools for our organization, tools for our learning, tools for sharing and communication, etc. 

First, as teachers I think we have to be exposed and made aware of the what is available digitally.  I think this should be done through the modeling of our administrative staff. If they are using tools with us then we see how they are being used.  

After taking the class 21 things it opened my eyes to a wide variety of tools in the digital world.  I may have not learned how to use each tool but now I know they are out there. Teachers would benefit from knowing.

I wonder if each teacher was paired with a tech mentor for the year...a fellow teacher who is comfortable and confident?

I believe the culture of the school would benefit from teachers taking time to share what they are using in their classroom and the benefits of it...with the large group.

Besides teachers being aware and having a go to person, they have to have time and direction to play with and prepare to use and set up some of these tools. Sometimes it is just getting through something one time.


As I researched Digital Literacy, again was overwhelmed by the number of resources available.  The link below as just one site I found to have several valuable links.



http://www.scoop.it/t/digital-citizenship-in-schools