Digital Literacy

Digital Literacy

Our understanding and definition of literacy continues to evolve. Definitions of literacy reflect past tools and infer that present tools are included.  Yet definitions do not explicitly reflect the tools "of choice" of twenty-first century learners.

In York Region, literacy involves the development of a continuum of skills, knowledge and attitudes that prepare students for life in a changing world community. It begins with the fundamental acquisition of skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, representing, responding and mathematics. It becomes our ability to understand, think, apply and communicate effectively in all subjects and program areas in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes.

Blueprints for Change is a guideline intended to support schools in making instructional decisions about appropriate technology tools.

This guideline is designed based upon the curricular needs and the learning needs of students as 21st century learners. The assumptions made in this guideline include:

• a commitment of school and board budgets that will align with system level commitments to purchase
• completion of a gap analysis by the school
• commitment to reallocation of appropriate school budgets to purchase technology
• commitment to building a 21st century learning environment in the school

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/

The two goals of this paper are to articulate a vision of twenty-first century learning in the York Region DSB and to identify the specific actions needed to integrate digital instruction into the mainstream of both educational, professional and staff practice.

By 2012, digital literacy practices in every school and classroom contribute to conditions of success for differentiated instruction based on assessment for, of and as learning.

Students, teachers and all staff must approach learning through the use of educational tools that help them experience engaging and productive learning. This will allow us to prepare as learners to be literate and successful in a digital, globally connected, and changing world. The tools must include current and future information communications technologies (ICT) and should help expand our understanding of literacy, learning, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

By June 2012 a meaningful approach to the integration of digital literacy practice and the effective use of technology builds capacity to address equity of outcomes through the personalization of instruction, fair and effective assessment practices, and an inquiry approach

Our organization knows that there is a need to achieve a cultural shift in how we understand literacy and in how we engage learners in order to increase student achievement.

By June 2011 all staff have the necessary digital literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to support their current and perspective roles

http://moodle.yrdsb.ca/course/view.php?id=5486

http://www.yorkregionfilmfestival.com/

What do staff need in order to be co-learners in this environment?

What do administrators need in order to support the shift in this direction?

How does the Blueprint model support local and system level change?

• Guideline philosophy
• Guideline operations - concrete examples and strategies
• Guidelines to financing - system, school, cost sharing
• Guidelines to “readiness” - what are the attitudes, skills and competencies of the educator in a 21st century learning environment?
• Consulting Services support in developing individual school blueprints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tahTKdEUAPk

If we are to connect literacy with current and future technology tools to achieve success in the information age, we require new knowledge, skills and attitudes to be fully literate members of society.

1.Intro – Janet and Gayle (5 min)

-intro of people, why we are there and what is digital literacy (journey and objectives)

2.Video (Royan combined with Literate Grad puzzle pieces and DigiLit video from LC) (3 min)

3.What is Digital Literacy? Executive Summary (activity – define, share) (10 mins)

a. Statement: If we are to connect literacy with current and future technology tools to achieve success in the “information age”, we require new knowledge, skills and attitudes to be fully literate member of society. (Draft YRDSB Digital Literacy Framework paper). Do you endorse this statement? Why or Why not.

b.Mind Map activity – (Todd) add elements to the map indicating connections from your perspective and role to the evolution of digital literacy.

4.Executive Summary: Here is what has been defined (15 mins) Janet

a. is there anything missing in our definition pf digital literacy, or other ideas we need to capture.

b. How does instructional design need to change to reflect digital literacy opportunities?

c. How do business practices need to change to enable digi lit opportunities?

d. How does facility design need to change to enable digi lit opportunities?

e. report back

5.The PLAN Review – Activity (3 groups response to plan with guiding questions; 1 goal per group) (20 mins)

a. report back/discussion

b. Guiding Questions:

i. Identify gaps in the plan from your perspective.

ii. What is your role supporting the implementation of digital literacy plan?

iii. What are the barriers that you can identify that will need to be considered during the implementation phase?

Graphic Organizer to capture thinking (Janet will coordinate that)

•Endorsement of digital literacy as a 21st century view of being a literate person

•Adopt the Digital Literacy Framework as a component of the Literacy Framework.

c.Approve the Digital Literacy Plan 2009-2010 as it supports Targets 1.1, 1.3, 3.3 in the Board Plan for Continuous Improvement for system wide implementation

d.Everyone is affected and all need to be involved in understanding and reflecting digital literacy

e. What do we need from DC/SO’s – commitment and leadership support for the implementation of a digital literacy plan from all Superintendents and system leaders:

f.Leadership Development

g.CIS

h.Community and Education Services

i.Plant

j.Planning

k.Business

l.Director’s Services/Communications

m.Human Resources

6.British Video to end (continue to add to mind map)

a.Collect mind maps