Key Issues in Educational Technology
Information Literacy
Information literacy is a skill that is important for 21st century learners. By having this skill, students are able to identify, locate, evaluate and use information that they come across. Information literacy skills are prevalent throughout the Dream IT project, as students will be constantly identifying, locating, evaluating, and using information to create digital newspapers. Because many of my students lack information literacy skills, this project will be important as students will learn more about the importance of these skills, while also having a chance to develop these skills so they can become more proficient in information literacy.
Universal Design for Learning
The Dream IT project includes aspects of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), as it will meet the needs of the wide range of learners present in my classroom. With the use of technology, such as Chromebooks, multiple means of representation will be provided to students. For example, assistive technologies, such as text to speech, can be utilized in the classroom based on student learning needs. Multiple means of engagement are also included in this project, as students have the ability to identify and locate information that is interesting to them. In addition, the authenticity of this project will also motivate and engage students, as they will have the opportunity to be actual writers, editors and publishers throughout the different portions of the project.
Creativity
Creativity is an important component of the Dream IT project. Students have the ability to research topics that interest them, write their own news stories, and create a visual representation by making an infographic. Each group’s final newspaper will look different and the stories they include in the newspaper will not be the same. However, that is the beauty of creativity and technology. While the guidelines of the project may be the same, the outcome will vary based on the decisions made by each group.
Information literacy, Universal Design for Learning, and creativity are all topics that are important to educational technology. They are skills that will continue to reappear and be needed as students progress and participate in a 21st century society. While these three topics were specific for the Dream IT project, it is important that these topics continue to be considered and incorporated into future learning experiences in the classroom.
Information literacy is a skill that is important for 21st century learners. By having this skill, students are able to identify, locate, evaluate and use information that they come across. Information literacy skills are prevalent throughout the Dream IT project, as students will be constantly identifying, locating, evaluating, and using information to create digital newspapers. Because many of my students lack information literacy skills, this project will be important as students will learn more about the importance of these skills, while also having a chance to develop these skills so they can become more proficient in information literacy.
Universal Design for Learning
The Dream IT project includes aspects of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), as it will meet the needs of the wide range of learners present in my classroom. With the use of technology, such as Chromebooks, multiple means of representation will be provided to students. For example, assistive technologies, such as text to speech, can be utilized in the classroom based on student learning needs. Multiple means of engagement are also included in this project, as students have the ability to identify and locate information that is interesting to them. In addition, the authenticity of this project will also motivate and engage students, as they will have the opportunity to be actual writers, editors and publishers throughout the different portions of the project.
Creativity
Creativity is an important component of the Dream IT project. Students have the ability to research topics that interest them, write their own news stories, and create a visual representation by making an infographic. Each group’s final newspaper will look different and the stories they include in the newspaper will not be the same. However, that is the beauty of creativity and technology. While the guidelines of the project may be the same, the outcome will vary based on the decisions made by each group.
Information literacy, Universal Design for Learning, and creativity are all topics that are important to educational technology. They are skills that will continue to reappear and be needed as students progress and participate in a 21st century society. While these three topics were specific for the Dream IT project, it is important that these topics continue to be considered and incorporated into future learning experiences in the classroom.