Video game helps kids wise up to advertising

We've previously written about the FTC's new ADMONGO.GOV website, game and ed resource: now here is another story from the Tribune syndicated news service.

Testing 21st Century Skills

A number of Virginia schools are testing students on problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and the use of technology -- all considered to be 21st-century skills.

Social Networks In The Classroom? Why Not?

NCTE Commission on Media director Bill Kist (and author of The Socially Networked Classroom) writes in this eSchool News piece: Today's students are always plugged in and ready to learn—so why not take advantage of this trend inside the classroom?

PBS Kids Touts Study on New Apps for Learning

A new study from PBS KIDS finds that mobile apps can provide an engaging,educational experience for kids.

Visual Culture & Civil Rights

A new exhibit, "For All The World To See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights" has opened at New York City's International Center of Photography. The New York Times (Friday May 21) reviews the exhibit and this web site has additional resources including lesson plans and activities for K-12 educators.

The Potential of Videogames

Some schools in West Virginia and Texas are piloting a new game-development program that integrates technology-based skills such as blogging and social networking with 21st-century skills such as collaboration and problem-solving. In a related story, Education Secretary Arne Duncan went on-the-record (last summer) recommending that schools use cell phones to support instruction; now he has come out in favor of the video game. (the link includes an interview as part of the recently aired "Digital Nation" program on PBS)

Understanding Television: Upfronts

Some of you may be asking: what does this topic have to do with teaching English or teaching media literacy? Well, television is a business, a big business. And when commercial television depends on advertising, then you could see how this topic might be useful. Upfronts is a word that many students may have never heard of, but because they watch alot of television, they may be intersted in what is happening this time of year. For more about upfronts, go here.

Technology and Literacy Current and Emerging Practices with Student 2.0 and Beyond

This chapter provides an overview of evolving research and theoretical frameworks on technologies and literacy, particularly digital technologies, with implications for adolescents’ literacy engagement. The authors suggest future directions for engaging students with technology and provide resources that support sound practices.

Teaching Parents Digital Citizenship

One Texas school district has decided that the best way to help their students learn how to use online resources more responsibly is to educate parents as well. Evening technology showcases provide a launch pad. Read more at THE JOURNAL.

A Comics Format Textbook Goes to Business School

Flat World Knowledge, an unusual “open source” textbook publisher that offers its textbooks online for free, has teamed with three professors to produce, Atlas Black: Managing To Succeed, the first book in a comics format textbook series that teaches principles of business management at the college level. Details here.

Students examine sociopolitical issues through photography

Students at a Colorado high school recently created artwork that incorporated original digital photos to express their ideas about sociopolitical issues. Art teacher Susan Koehler launched the project with the help of a $1,000 grant that paid for digital cameras for the students to use. "I learned a lot about my classmates and the community," one student said. "I learned a lot more from everybody else's assignments than I learned from my own -- what my classmates' opinions are and other issues there that I didn't think about." Details here.

New test measures students' digital literacy

Employers, reports eCampus News, are looking for candidates who can navigate, critically evaluate, and make sense of the wealth of information available through digital media--and now educaotrs have a new way to determine a students' baseline ditial literacy with a certification exam that measures the test-takers' ability to assess information, think critically, and perform a range of real-world tasks.

Summer Media Literacy Opportunities for Educators

A number of institutes are available for educators this summer. I have created a list of those that I am aware of and have posted that list on the homepage of the Media Literacy Clearinghouse. Details on each event as well as registration information, costs and contact info are all posted there.

4 Out Of 5 Professors Use Social Media, Study Finds

About 80 percent of professors use social media and more than half incorporate it into classroom activity, a new survey from Pearson reveals.

Ideas for Incorporating Social Media Into The Classroom

Social media may have started out as a fun way to connect with friends, but it has evolved to become a powerful tool for education and business. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter and tools such as Skype are connecting students to learning opportunities in new and exciting ways. Whether you teach an elementary class, a traditional college class, or at an online university, you will find inspirational ways to incorporate social media in your classroom with this list.