We are creating leaders in digital literacy through providing the premiere staff development program in the United States, a fun-filled play and learning experience where you will advance your digital literacy competencies through hands-on, minds-on learning.
Participants will engage in the following learning opportunities:
- Discuss and reflect on how literacy is changing as a result of media and technology and the implications of this cultural and technological shift for teaching and learning at all levels as demonstrated through facilitated conversations during the week
- Examine the purpose and application of various digital tools and technologies that might be used to enhance teaching, learning, and creative response in a range of formal and informal settings
- Apply knowledge and skills in using digital texts, tools and technologies through hands-on practical use in daily Design Studio sessions where you'll have time to practice, create and apply
- Engage in phases of project-based inquiry and curriculum design using digital texts, tools, and technologies.
During the week, you will work individually and collaboratively, learning from keynote speakers, participating in Digging Deeper sessions, and attending a wide variety of hands-on, minds-on workshops:
- TOOLS & TIPS. Explore and use a new digital media tool by selecting from more than 20 workshops
- AMAZING TEXTS. Examine and analyze new resources on digital literacy, including videos, websites, games, books and more.
- DIGITAL DEBATES. Participate in a pro-con discussion of a controversial issue related to the uses of technology in education and the role of digital media in society.
- OPEN FORUM. Initiate or participate in a conversation on some topics that you propose or choose, including digital literacy in special education, media and social justice, reducing the digital divide, global collaboration, and much more.
- RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE. Learn about the latest methodologies and approaches to create new knowledge in digital literacy.
By the end of the week, you will:
Compose a Project-Based Instructional (PBI) Plan. This is a creative media project, contextualized lesson or unit plan in which you put one or more multimedia texts, tools and technologies into action and foresee having your students engaging in activities using these resources for specific learning purposes.
Explore a range of digital tools to create a message that will assist and enhance your teaching and will represent a model or example of the type of technology/media project your students might create as a part of your instructional plan.
Build new networks and create new visions for "doing" education in changing and challenging times as demonstrated through facilitated daily conversations over the course of the week (e.g., Tools & Tips, Amazing Texts, Digital Debates, Design Studio, Open Forum, Research Roundtable). During these collaborative conversations, you will engage with individuals across a range of educational and media communities to develop an understanding and appreciation of the particular needs, concerns, and contributions of individuals including, but not limited to, educators in K-12 and higher education settings, reading specialists and literacy coaches, school and public librarians, parents, media professionals, media literacy leaders, and ed tech entrepreneurs
Reflect on your experience as a learner and the challenges of implementing project-based inquiry with digital media and new technologies in a variety of settings as demonstrated in a closing reflection and formal reflection paper.
DAILY GENERAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Sunday (July 26, 2015)
- 12:30-4:45PM ~ Opening Activities for Participants Taking the Course for Graduate Credit
- 5:00-7:00PM ~ Kickoff and Team Formation
Monday to Friday (July 27-31, 2015)
- 8:30-9:00 ~ Daily Warm-Up Activities to build collaboration and teamwork
- 9:00-10:15 ~ Looking Up and Out Keynote Presentations with Q&A
- 10:15-10:30 Break
- 10:30-12:00 ~ Digging Deeper Sessions: A deep dive into key dimensions of digital literacy
- 12:00-12:30 ~ Lunch (provided)
- 12:30-1:15 ~ Digital Debates, Research Roundtable and Open Forum: Facilitated small group discussions on special topics of concern to explore values, anticipate and respond to challenges, and build understanding across diverse communities
- 1:15-3:00 ~ Tools & Tips and Amazing Texts: 6-10 simultaneously running small-group presentations focused on demonstrating and using a wide range of free digital tools, texts and technologies;
- 3:15-4:45 ~ Design Studio: Students work with others toward creating an innovative instructional plan that incorporates interdisciplinary content using digital literacy competencies.
- 4:45-5:00 ~ Daily Wrap-Up (Finish at 2PM on Friday)