Digital Literacy

Employers are looking for candidates who can navigate, critically evaluate, and make sense of the wealth of information available through digital media. These are the skills that we as educators must be focusing on in our classrooms. Today’s students need to be able to think critically and effectively solve problems while using technology, going beyond simply searching for information. They also must evaluate the legitimacy of the information, put it in context, and then apply problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Podcasting

A quick important announcement before we begin....

Your Final for ED 270 has been scheduled for TUESDAY, MARCH 19 (8-10am).  You may want to mark your calenders.

And now...

Podcasting!

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Madison Avenue meets Monmouth

Today we go "Hollywood" and examine the role that multi-media creation can have in your classroom.  Vygotsky says that learning is an active, social endeavor- movie making in the classroom is an incredible way of creating that experience for your students, young and old alike. From the research and planning phases to the final editing and publishing, multimedia creation is an incredibly collaborative and interactive process.  Today we'll examine practical lessons for creating movies in your classroom, plus examine the various ways that student created films can be shared on the Web.  We'll look at the technology involved, and give you a chance to create your own 30 second commercial for WOU using iMovie.  Here's an example.

The Power of Images

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  Just what does that old saying really mean, anyway?

The uses for images in the classroom are as varied and diverse as the people occupying those classrooms.  Images make great objects to illustrate copyright laws.  The ease at which images can be adjusted and altered by using programs like Photoshop and Fotoflexer brings up issues of media literacy

However, with the growth of Web 2.0 applications like Flickr and Pinterest that make it easier to upload and share those images, the potential for using images in the classroom has grown exponentially.  Students tired of creating PowerPoints?  They could create a virtual posterboard instead using Glogster instead.  Don't think your students are ready yet to create their own videos?  Have them create an awesome slideshow using Animoto.

Today you'll use cameras and the internet to produce three copyright-free images.  You'll manipulate them to create original images, then share them with your classmates.  You'll comment and evaluate  each others' creations.  Finally, you'll read and reflect on the various ways that image software could be used in your future classroom.