CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION LITERACY

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS
A. Effective learners: How do I find and use information to construct meaning and solve problems?		B. Effective communicators and creators: How do I effectively communicate?		C. Effective global collaborators: How do I responsibly use information and communication to positively contribute to my world?
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS FOR STUDENTS Students will begin to understand:
The necessity, values, and methods of reflecting throughout the process. Why and how to effectively search for, evaluate, select, analyze, interpret, and synthesize appropriate information to problem solve. Bias influences the creation and interpretation of information. People use their prior knowledge to learn how to build new understandings and deal with any new technologies.	Purpose and audience for communication determine the appropriate media choice. Design and layout impact the quality and effectiveness of communications. People reflect on, organize, analyze, interpret, and synthesize information in order to effectively communicate and create ideas.		Communication networks are powerful mediums to spread positive change or to negatively impact others. People use information and communication tools to learn from each other, innovate and collaboratively problem solve. Communication behaviors and actions impact the access and safety of users. Everyone is biased and that bias is based on each person’s life experiences.

The above EQ’s and EU’s are for student learning in technology and information literacy which is the ultimate learning goal for educators at ISB. The teacher EU’s will be under each of the five course descriptions which lead to a Certificate of Educational Technology an Information Literacy. The strands above will be woven throughout each course with a particular emphasis on one within each course.

Course #1- Information Literacy and Ourselves as Learners

Course description: A foundation course, introducing learners to the methods of information literacy in the 21^st century. Independent learning requires that students and teachers are able to evaluate the authenticity, relevance and bias of information that inundates us. Tools and strategies for teachers and students for accessing, filtering, evaluating and applying information will be addressed. This course will address meta-cognition and an awareness of how we learn in a digital landscape. Students will be provided with strategies for reflective practice and using prior knowledge to build understanding and deal with new technology will be incorporated in the course.

ISTE NETS for Teachers Addressed:

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

Teachers:

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

Teachers:

a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning

c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning

d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Enduring Understandings

• Bias influences and shapes information and interpretation of truth

• Truth can be determined or accepted in many ways

• Answers to questions, guidance and support can be found in many forms, mediums and connections

• Reflection is a powerful self improvement learning tool

• Multiple intelligences exist in a community of learners

• Each learner has set of optimal learning conditions and strategies

Essential Questions:

• How do I find and use information to construct meaning and solve problems?

• How do I effectively communicate?

• How do I learn best?

Assessment:

Students will author and participate in reflective blogging practice throughout the course by creating individual blogs and establishing a Personal Learning Environment.

Supporting Tasks:

• Learning search syntax. Assessment: find and evaluate content-related sites using effective search techniques

• Setting up a blog

• Creating a PLE

• Reading research-based articles

• Experiencing and reflecting on different methods of receiving information

Course#2- 21st Century Literacy Ideas, Questions, and Issues

The 21^st Century learner had been bombarded with new technology, access to wide ranging global communication, and a plethora of information. Accompanying this new world of learning are ethical, moral, social, and emotional considerations that are changing the way in which our students are interfacing with the world. This course will explore current issues inherent in our technological world.

Enduring Understandings

• Online behaviors and actions impact the access and safety of personal information.

• Responsible use of online tools can help protect the personal information of others.

• The communication tools that exist today are powerful mediums to help spread positive change and global awareness.

Course #3- Visual Literacy: Effective Communicators and Creators

The curriculum of design and attention to aesthetic has always been the property of the visual arts, however as so much our media is now consumed and created electronically a new set of visual literacies have emerged. Awareness of how an audience interacts with that medium and how to take advantage of this to strengthen their message or purpose for communication will be addressed.

Enduring Understandings

• Design and layout of information influence effective communication

• Audience and purpose behind your communication affect how and what you communicate.

• Different information mediums require different strategies when organizing information and communicating effectively.

• Reflection is an important component to developing communication skills.

Course #4- Technology: A Catalyst for Learning

Research based best practice for the embedded use of technology for learning will be shared and practiced. The focus will be on the habits that provide students with the ability to use technology for its greatest learning advantage. The best use of laptop computers, Smart boards, etc will be addressed as embedded tools to foster optimum learning of the curriculum. The optimal use of communication tools such as pod casts, blogs, nings, wikis, and voice threads will be addressed with tips for management and strategies to promote maximum learning in classrooms.

Course #5- Alive in the Classroom: Applied Web 2.0 Technology for Learning

The course will be about the classroom application, and reflection on the use of web 2.0 technology in the classroom. Participants will be asked to create a plan for the embedded use of technology to foster learning, share with the group and offer feedback on their cohorts’ embedded use of technology for learning. Did the use of technology lead to deeper learning?