My colleagues had many wonderful ideas, and there was considerable debate too. As I think about the topic, this is my initial list. You'll note a lot of gaping holes as I don't teach every grade or every specialty, so I'm sure you'll think of additional tools, processes and goals as you read this list. Please feel free to share.
First let's define characteristics of optimal tools, processes and goals.
Tools:
- Streamlined and easy to use so the focus is on the learning and engagement, not the tool.
- Developmentally appropriate.
- Includes data reports and collection that inform instruction, future learning.
- Ability to compete with other students (very engaging for many).
- 24-7 access.
- Levels according to a child's learning growth.
- Multiple choices, paths.
- High interest.
- 3D, multi-sensory learning.
- Tools that can be easily integrated with other modalities and ways of learning.
Processes
- An ongoing facile, respectful process of adopting, using and retiring tools.
- Process of piloting and investigating new tools with the responsibility of sharing the tool's strengths and challenges. This process should include students. Curation processes that do not include students are not effective.
- Collaborative process of integrating optimal tools into the curriculum for skill building, concept development, knowledge growth, and 21st century endeavor: creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, citizenship, and character.
- Regular time to share new tools, use, assess, revise, and integrate.
Goals: Identify and use tools that do the following:
- Enhance students' ability to develop skills, knowledge, and concept related to identified standards and students' needs, interests and passions.
- Effective two-way communication with the learning community (family, students, staff) related to classroom/school events, goals and information.
- Support students' learning and independent use to communicate with others, and locate, access, analyze, evaluate and create knowledge.
- Engage and empower student learning.
Specific Digital Literacy Goals
I am in the process of transferring this information to a chart. The chart will have room for the standards too.
I am in the process of transferring this information to a chart. The chart will have room for the standards too.
K-3 (grade 3 really belongs to both groups)
- Skills: Ability to access tools that help students' build essential skill in engaging ways.
- Communication: Ability to practice sharing knowledge and learning with digital tools such as ShowMe, PhotoBooth and KidPix.
- Literacy: Use of digital books and related tools to avail access to literature and informational text in just right ways.
- Collaboration/Citizenship: Appropriate, productive use and behavior related to technology tools.
- STEAM: Exploring science, tech, engineering, art and math with technology.
4-5
- Skills: Use of tools and strategies to develop individual skill, concept and knowledge.
- Communication Skills: introduction to social media and other technology platforms in a legal, age-appropriate way. Creation of ePortfolios to share signature work.
- Literacy: Apt use of digital literature and informational text.
- Collaboration/Citizenship: Appropriate, productive use and behavior related to technology tools.
- Guided Research/Content Creation: locate, access, analyze, evaluate and create knowledge with educator guidance through classroom lessons, class activities, website direction and more.
- Passion/Interest Learning: Ability to locate and access tools which build students' individual passions and interests.
- STEAM: Exploring science, tech, engineering, art and math with technology.
This is a rough draft that I want to continue to work on. Your ideas are welcome.
