Digging deeper into Media Literacy and Coding


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I am excited to take my Teacher-Librarianship further down the path of Media Specialist. Next year at my school, I will have increased time with classes to pursue technology in bigger projects and concepts. I want to spur their interests and passions, focusing on inquiry and research. I am in the beginning stages of exploring Genius Hour. A colleague has taken her class through the first stages of Genius Hour and the results are amazing. The students are so pumped to do research, build their project and share it with others. I am hoping I can implement some of this theory with my classes in the upcoming year. I hope these projects can create lasting knowledge and excitement about learning.

 One of my favourite online sources for media advice, scrutiny and information is Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship 
There is so much to explore!
They host a plethora of resources, reviews and lesson plans for teachers, parents and students. Many of their digital citizenship videos can be found on YouTube.


The website includes tonnes of lessons plans with curriculum connections, step-by-step instruction, off-site resources and more. This lesson introducing teachers to the Hour of Code.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/lesson-plans/code-encore

 The reason why I feel the need to focus on digital literacy is varied. I want my students to be safe online, create responsible footprints and have the knowledge to avoid dangerous pitfalls. As the following article explores, most of our young people are not currently equipped to navigate the intricacies of the internet. the-vital-work-of-teacher-librarians-in-the-digital-age

 As my experience and exposure grows, I can pass along the trusted resources and new materials I find. Along with the work we do with students, I can help to be a guide or liaison for my colleagues, as we explore integrating technology in a meaningful way. As the following option article discusses, teachers and students may find themselves in hot water surrounding their digital use in schools. 

 "...teachers often lament that their training on new technologies rarely goes beyond the technical “on and off” level. As a result, their use of devices remains shallow; they use today’s digital technologies the same way they would have used a DVD player a decade ago – to show a video for instruction, for a break or as a reward – rarely exploiting their creative and interactive potential." A hard lesson: The digital classroom can really fail
"To define technology integration, it's really using whatever resources you have to the best of your abilities."
Works Cited

“CODE ENCORE.” Common Sense Education, Common Sense Education, 30 Apr. 2018, www.commonsense.org/education/lesson-plans/code-encore.

 “Digital Citizenship.” Common Sense Education, Common Sense Education, www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship.

Buck, Naomi. “A Hard Lesson: The Digital Classroom Can Really Fail.” The Globe and Mail, The Globe and Mail, 18 May 2018, www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-a-hard-lesson-the-digital-classroom-can-really-fail/.

 Neilson, Olivia. “The Vital Work of Teacher Librarians in the Digital Age.” The Canberra Times, www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/the-vital-work-of-teacher-librarians-in-the-digital-age-20180517-p4zfxm.html.

 Spencer, John. “You Get to Have Your Own Genius Hour (A Video for Students).” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=COF-bqZuE-I.

Comments

  1. Aaron Mueller21 May 2018 at 06:36

    There was some good discussion here, and the linking and evaluating of a few useful resources, articles and videos. Your final Works Cited listed only two resources, when in fact, it should include all the sites, videos and other resources you discussed as part of your search. Including everything that you discuss is usual practice for assignments and course work. Overall, you found many interesting and useful resources that will support your ongoing work on this topic moving forward.

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