Teaching Teaching Students in the Students in the

Digital AgeDigital AgeDavid M. KeathlyDavid M. Keathly

Computer Science and EngineeringComputer Science and Engineering

University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas

Portions of this presentation courtesy of Portions of this presentation courtesy of the talk:the talk:

Engaging Digital NativesEngaging Digital Natives

Examining 21Examining 21stst century literacies and their implications for teaching century literacies and their implications for teaching in the digital age.in the digital age.

Jennifer Carrier DormanJennifer Carrier Dormanhttp://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Conferenceshttp://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Conferences

We are at a turning We are at a turning point in the tech point in the tech

industry and perhaps industry and perhaps even in the history of even in the history of

the worldthe worldTim O’Reilly – Feb. 14 2006 Tim O’Reilly – Feb. 14 2006

The Case for 21The Case for 21stst Century Century EducationEducation

Education is changing.Education is changing. Competition is changing internationally.Competition is changing internationally. The workplace, jobs, and skill demands are The workplace, jobs, and skill demands are

changing.changing.

What are the What are the Characteristics of 21Characteristics of 21stst

Century Students?Century Students? YouTube VideosYouTube Videos

CollegeCollege K-12K-12 We ThinkWe Think

ImplicationsImplications These changes, among others, are ushering us toward a world These changes, among others, are ushering us toward a world

where knowledge, power, and productive capability will be where knowledge, power, and productive capability will be more dispersed than at any time in our history—a world where more dispersed than at any time in our history—a world where value creation will be fast, fluid, and persistently disruptive. value creation will be fast, fluid, and persistently disruptive.

A world where only the connected will survive. A world where only the connected will survive. A power shift is underway, and a tough new business rule is A power shift is underway, and a tough new business rule is

emerging: Harness the new collaboration or perish. emerging: Harness the new collaboration or perish. Those who fail to grasp this will find themselves ever more Those who fail to grasp this will find themselves ever more

isolated—cut off from the networks that are sharing, adapting, isolated—cut off from the networks that are sharing, adapting, and updating knowledge to create value.and updating knowledge to create value.

Implications for SchoolsImplications for Schools For smart schools [companies], the rising tide of mass For smart schools [companies], the rising tide of mass

collaboration offers vast opportunity…Schools [Companies] collaboration offers vast opportunity…Schools [Companies] can reach beyond their walls to sow the seeds of innovation can reach beyond their walls to sow the seeds of innovation and harvest a bountiful crop. and harvest a bountiful crop.

Indeed, educators [firms] that cultivate nimble, trust-based Indeed, educators [firms] that cultivate nimble, trust-based relationships with external collaborators are positioned to form relationships with external collaborators are positioned to form vibrant classroom [business] ecosystems that enhance learning vibrant classroom [business] ecosystems that enhance learning [create value] more effectively than hierarchically organized [create value] more effectively than hierarchically organized schools [businesses]. schools [businesses].

Discussion ActivityDiscussion Activity

What kinds of opportunities do you What kinds of opportunities do you see for your students and your see for your students and your classrooms?classrooms?

Digital Digital NativesNatives

Digital NativesDigital Natives

It is now clear that as a result of this It is now clear that as a result of this ubiquitous information environment and the ubiquitous information environment and the sheer volume of their interaction with it, sheer volume of their interaction with it, today’s students today’s students think and process information think and process information fundamentally differently fundamentally differently from their from their predecessors.predecessors. Marc Prensky – “Digital Natives, Digital Marc Prensky – “Digital Natives, Digital

Immigrants” 2001Immigrants” 2001

Digital NativesDigital Natives

““Different kinds of experiences lead to Different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structures” - Dr. Bruce D. Berry different brain structures” - Dr. Bruce D. Berry of Baylor College of Medicine. of Baylor College of Medicine. it is very likely that it is very likely that our students’ brains have our students’ brains have

physically changed physically changed – and are different from ours – – and are different from ours – as a result of how they grew upas a result of how they grew up

Who are the digital Who are the digital natives?natives?

Our students today are all “native speakers” Our students today are all “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video of the digital language of computers, video games, instantaneous communication, and games, instantaneous communication, and the Internet.the Internet.

Those of us who were not born into the Those of us who were not born into the digital world but have, at some later point in digital world but have, at some later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology many or most aspects of the new technology are are Digital ImmigrantsDigital Immigrants..

The ChallengeThe Challenge

Our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak Our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new languagespeaks an entirely new language

Digital Immigrants videoDigital Immigrants video Reaching Digital Natives VideoReaching Digital Natives Video

The Nomadic Grazing The Nomadic Grazing Patterns of Digital NativesPatterns of Digital Natives

Digital Natives are used to receiving Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast. information really fast.

They like to parallel process and multi-task. They like to parallel process and multi-task. They prefer their graphics They prefer their graphics before before their text their text

rather than the opposite. rather than the opposite.

The Nomadic Grazing The Nomadic Grazing Patterns of Digital NativesPatterns of Digital Natives

They prefer random access (like hypertext). They prefer random access (like hypertext). They function best when networked. They function best when networked. They thrive on instant gratification and They thrive on instant gratification and

frequent rewards. frequent rewards. They prefer games to “serious” work. They prefer games to “serious” work.

Wonder Bread – builds Wonder Bread – builds strong bodies 12 ways!strong bodies 12 ways!

This generation differs from its parents in This generation differs from its parents in 8 ways 8 ways (“Growing up Digital” by Don Tapscott)(“Growing up Digital” by Don Tapscott)

Freedom in everything – from choice to expressionFreedom in everything – from choice to expression Love to customize and personalizeLove to customize and personalize The new scrutinizersThe new scrutinizers Corporate integrity and openness determines what to Corporate integrity and openness determines what to

buy, where to workbuy, where to work Entertainment and play in work, education and social Entertainment and play in work, education and social

lifelife Collaboration and relationship generationCollaboration and relationship generation Need for speed!Need for speed! InnovatorsInnovators

DiscussionDiscussion

Have you observed these differences Have you observed these differences in your students?in your students?

Any others?Any others?

MethodologyMethodology

Today’s teachers have to learn to Today’s teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their communicate in the language and style of their students.students. This This doesn’t doesn’t mean changing the meaning of what mean changing the meaning of what

is important, or of good thinking skills. is important, or of good thinking skills.

DiscussionDiscussion

How can we do this?How can we do this? Do we really need to do this?Do we really need to do this? How do we handled mixed groups of How do we handled mixed groups of

natives and immigrants?natives and immigrants?

Web 2.0Web 2.0

What is Web 2.0?What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is a term often applied to a perceived Web 2.0 is a term often applied to a perceived ongoing transition of the World Wide Web ongoing transition of the World Wide Web from a collection of static websites to a full-from a collection of static websites to a full-fledged computing platform serving web fledged computing platform serving web applications to end users. applications to end users. Tim O’ReillyTim O’Reilly

Web 2.0Web 2.0

Static content transformed by dynamic Static content transformed by dynamic participationparticipation

CommunitiesCommunities NetworksNetworks Read/writeRead/write

The New WWWThe New WWW

WhateverWhatever WheneverWhenever WhereverWherever

Tom March, Web-based educator, author, and Tom March, Web-based educator, author, and instructional designerinstructional designer

The New WWWThe New WWW

The New WWW—offering us The New WWW—offering us whateverwhatever we we want, want, wheneverwhenever and and whereverwherever we want it— we want it—may seem like just an extension of our may seem like just an extension of our already-technology-enhanced contemporary already-technology-enhanced contemporary lifelife

Confronting the Confronting the Challenges of a Challenges of a Participatory Participatory

CultureCultureMedia Education for the 21Media Education for the 21stst

CenturyCentury

“If it were possible to define generally the mission of education, it could be said that its fundamental purpose is to ensure that all students benefit from learning in ways that allow them to participate fully in public, community, [Creative] and economic life.”

— New London Group (2000, p. 9)

Participatory CultureParticipatory Culture

According to a recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life project (Lenhardt & Madden, 2005), more than one-half of all teens have created media content, and roughly one-third of teens who use the Internet have shared content they produced.

A Participatory A Participatory Culture . . .Culture . . .

With relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement

With strong support for creating and sharing one’s creations with others

With some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices

Where members believe that their contributions matter Where members feel some degree of social connection with

one another (at the least they care what other people think about what they have created)

Forms of Participatory Forms of Participatory CultureCulture

Affiliations — memberships, formal and informal, in online communities centered around various forms of media, such as Friendster, Facebook, message boards, metagaming, game clans, or MySpace

Expressions — producing new creative forms, such as digital sampling, skinning and modding, fan videomaking, fan fiction writing, zines, mash-ups

Forms of Participatory Forms of Participatory CultureCulture

Collaborative Problem-solving — working together in teams, formal and informal, to complete tasks and develop new knowledge (such as through Wikipedia, alternative reality gaming, spoiling).

Circulations — Shaping the flow of media (such as podcasting, blogging).

ImplicationsImplications

A growing body of scholarship suggests potential benefits of these forms of participatory culture, including: opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, a changed attitude toward intellectual property, the diversification of cultural expression, the development of skills valued in the modern

workplace, and a more empowered conception of citizenship.

ImplicationsImplications

Participatory culture shifts the focus of literacy from one of individual expression to community involvement.

The new literacies almost all involve social skills developed through collaboration and networking.

These skills build on the foundation of traditional literacy, research skills, technical skills, and critical analysis skills taught in the classroom.

The New LiteraciesThe New Literacies Play — the capacity to experiment with one’s

surroundings as a form of problem-solving Performance — the ability to adopt alternative

identities for the purpose of improvisation and discovery

Simulation — the ability to interpret and construct dynamic models of real-world processes

Appropriation — the ability to meaningfully sample and remix media content

The New LiteraciesThe New Literacies Multitasking — the ability to scan one’s

environment and shift focus as needed to salient details.

Distributed Cognition — the ability to interact meaningfully with tools that expand mental capacities

Collective Intelligence — the ability to pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal

Judgment — the ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of different information sources

The New LiteraciesThe New Literacies

Transmedia Navigation — the ability to follow the flow of stories and information across multiple modalities

Networking — the ability to search for, synthesize, and disseminate information

Negotiation — the ability to travel across diverse communities, discerning and respecting multiple perspectives, and grasping and following alternative norms.

BlogsBlogs

BlogsBlogs

A blog is a website for which an individual or a group A blog is a website for which an individual or a group frequently generates text, photographs, video or audio frequently generates text, photographs, video or audio files, and/or links, typically (but not always) on a daily files, and/or links, typically (but not always) on a daily basis. basis. The term is a shortened form of weblog. The term is a shortened form of weblog. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an

existing blog is called "blogging". existing blog is called "blogging". Individual articles on a blog are called "blog posts," "posts," or Individual articles on a blog are called "blog posts," "posts," or

"entries". "entries". The person who posts these entries is called a "blogger". The person who posts these entries is called a "blogger".

Why the sudden popularity Why the sudden popularity of blogs?of blogs?

RSS - Really Simple Syndication RSS - Really Simple Syndication

RSS Aggregator – RSS Aggregator – BloglinesBloglines

Blogs in School?Blogs in School?

Blogs are tools, and like any tools they can be Blogs are tools, and like any tools they can be used or misused. used or misused. Misuse occurs more often when there's a lack of Misuse occurs more often when there's a lack of

instruction. (MySpace, Xanga, Facebook)instruction. (MySpace, Xanga, Facebook) Interactivity, publishing, collective Interactivity, publishing, collective

intelligenceintelligence

Blogs in SchoolBlogs in School

Teacher BlogsTeacher Blogs HomeworkHomework Keep Parents in the Keep Parents in the

LoopLoop Virtual InserviceVirtual Inservice Professional Professional

collaborationcollaboration

Student BlogsStudent Blogs This week in class, we...This week in class, we... Student WorkStudent Work Online portfolioOnline portfolio Peer/teacher feedbackPeer/teacher feedback

Why Students Shouldn’t Why Students Shouldn’t BlogBlog

People will read it. People will read it. People might not like it. People might not like it. They might share test answers with others. They might share test answers with others. They might be found by a child predator online They might be found by a child predator online They might write something inappropriate. They might write something inappropriate. They might find something inappropriate. They might find something inappropriate. They might get other students to start blogging. They might get other students to start blogging.

http://blogging101.wikispaces.com/whywhynot

Why Students Should Why Students Should BlogBlog

People will read it. People will read it. They might like it. They might like it. They might share what they've learned with others. They might share what they've learned with others. They might participate in a collaborative learning project. They might participate in a collaborative learning project. They might become inspired to learn. They might become inspired to learn. They might inspire others to learn. They might inspire others to learn. They might get other students to start blogging. They might get other students to start blogging. If they don't talk in class, they might on a blog. If they don't talk in class, they might on a blog.

http://blogging101.wikispaces.com/whywhynot

PodcastsPodcasts

PodcastsPodcasts

iPod + Broadcast = PodcastiPod + Broadcast = Podcast Amateur radioAmateur radio Podcasting is the method of distributing Podcasting is the method of distributing

multimedia files, such as audio programs or multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either the music videos, over the Internet using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. on mobile devices and personal computers.

Why use podcasts?Why use podcasts?

Podcasts enable students to share their Podcasts enable students to share their knowledge and expertise with others through a knowledge and expertise with others through a creative outlet.creative outlet.

Podcasts tap into a mode of media input that is Podcasts tap into a mode of media input that is commonplace for digital natives.commonplace for digital natives.

Podcasts empower students to form Podcasts empower students to form relationships with the content and each other relationships with the content and each other in relevant ways.in relevant ways.

Why use podcasts?Why use podcasts?

Podcasting is yet another way for them Podcasting is yet another way for them [students] to be creating and contributing ideas [students] to be creating and contributing ideas to a larger conversation, and it’s a way of to a larger conversation, and it’s a way of archiving that contribution for future archiving that contribution for future audiences to use.audiences to use. Will Richardson, Will Richardson, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other

Powerful Web Tools for ClassroomsPowerful Web Tools for Classrooms

How can podcasts be How can podcasts be used?used?

In the classroom, educators and students can In the classroom, educators and students can use podcastsuse podcasts to to informinform others about class others about class news, current events, and areas of interest.news, current events, and areas of interest.

Students can use a podcastStudents can use a podcast forum to forum to persuadepersuade their peers to help others, make a their peers to help others, make a difference, or try something new. difference, or try something new.

Podcasts can also be used to edutain others Podcasts can also be used to edutain others through creative through creative narrativesnarratives..

How can podcasts be How can podcasts be used?used?

Podcasts engage students in thinking critically Podcasts engage students in thinking critically about their speaking fluency and about their speaking fluency and communication skills. communication skills.

The opportunity to create a podcast about what The opportunity to create a podcast about what students would like to discuss and share with students would like to discuss and share with others is extremely motivating.others is extremely motivating.

Other Enduring BenefitsOther Enduring Benefits Along with the use of technology there are certain Along with the use of technology there are certain

responsibilities that educators and students need to responsibilities that educators and students need to follow. follow. Educators need to instruct students on safe and acceptable Educators need to instruct students on safe and acceptable

use of technology in and outside of the classroom. use of technology in and outside of the classroom. Not only do students need to learn how to appropriately Not only do students need to learn how to appropriately

research, but also how to safely and properly share research, but also how to safely and properly share information online. information online.

Podcasts allow students to learn first hand about copyright Podcasts allow students to learn first hand about copyright laws and fair use issues.laws and fair use issues.

WikisWikis

What is a Wiki?What is a Wiki?

A A wikiwiki is a type of website that allows users is a type of website that allows users easily to add, remove, or otherwise edit and easily to add, remove, or otherwise edit and change most available content.change most available content.

How is a Wiki How is a Wiki Constructed?Constructed?

A single page in a A single page in a wikiwiki is referred to as a "wiki is referred to as a "wiki page", while the entire body of pages, which page", while the entire body of pages, which are usually highly interconnected via are usually highly interconnected via hyperlinks, is "the wiki“hyperlinks, is "the wiki“ in effect, a wiki is actually a very simple, easy-to-in effect, a wiki is actually a very simple, easy-to-

use user-maintained database for searching and use user-maintained database for searching and creating information. creating information.

Are Wikis Safe?Are Wikis Safe?

Wikis are generally designed with the Wikis are generally designed with the philosophy of making it easy to correct philosophy of making it easy to correct mistakes, rather than making it difficult to mistakes, rather than making it difficult to make them. make them.

Are Wikis Safe?Are Wikis Safe?

Thus while wikis are very open, they provide Thus while wikis are very open, they provide a means to verify the validity of recent a means to verify the validity of recent additions to the body of pages. additions to the body of pages. The most prominent, on almost every wiki, is the The most prominent, on almost every wiki, is the

"Recent Changes" page—a specific list "Recent Changes" page—a specific list numbering recent edits, or a list of all the edits numbering recent edits, or a list of all the edits made within a given timeframe. made within a given timeframe.

What the Experts are What the Experts are SayingSaying

Wikis are helping young people develop Wikis are helping young people develop “writing skills and social skills by learning “writing skills and social skills by learning about group consensus and compromise—all about group consensus and compromise—all the virtues you need to be a reasonable and the virtues you need to be a reasonable and productive member of society.” productive member of society.” Jimmy Wales, founder of WikipediaJimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia

What the Experts are What the Experts are SayingSaying

““The media is controlled by people who have The media is controlled by people who have the resources to control it,” he says. “Wikis the resources to control it,” he says. “Wikis show that all of us have an equal opportunity show that all of us have an equal opportunity to contribute to knowledge.” to contribute to knowledge.” Andy Garvin, head of the Digital Divide Network Andy Garvin, head of the Digital Divide Network

Ways to Use WikisWays to Use Wikis

Use wikis as formats for subject guides. Use wikis as formats for subject guides. Invite students and teachers to annotate your Invite students and teachers to annotate your

catalog on a wiki. catalog on a wiki. Make wikis meeting places for communities Make wikis meeting places for communities

inside the school. inside the school. Link librarians and teachers in your district in Link librarians and teachers in your district in

a collaborative enterprise. a collaborative enterprise.

Social Social LearninLearnin

gghttp://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Social+Learning

Social Learning – Web Social Learning – Web 2.02.0

http://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Social+Learning

Del.icio.usDel.icio.us

http://del.icio.us/

Stu.dicio.usStu.dicio.us

http://stu.dicio.us/

Social Media Usage Case Social Media Usage Case StudiesStudies

1. City Univ of NY: Newsgathering with Social Media2. Stanford: Showcasing faculty and student work on

Facebook3. Vestavia Hills HS Birmingham, AL : Twittering Lesson Plans4. Northwestern Univ: NewsMixer5. Stockholm Univ: Streaming seminars6. Orono MS Long Lake MN: Tech Wiki7. Duke Univ: Mobile Web Client8. Birmingham City Univ GB: Degree in Social Networking9. Cardiff Univ Wales: Tweprints10.Univ Lab HS IL: Twittering Dante11.UNC Chapel Hill: YouTube Channel12.Georgia Southern Univ: Blog for Social Media Course13.Univ of Wisc: CoveritLive

Case studies of social Case studies of social media in the classroommedia in the classroom

Stu.dicio.us FeaturesStu.dicio.us Features Note-takingNote-taking

Note commentingNote commenting Note sharingNote sharing

Keyword link to Google and WikipediaKeyword link to Google and Wikipedia To-Do ListsTo-Do Lists ScheduleSchedule Document storage/trackingDocument storage/tracking Grade organizerGrade organizer Privacy FeaturesPrivacy Features RSS FeedsRSS Feeds Integration with FacebookIntegration with Facebook Social NetworkingSocial Networking

http://stu.dicio.us/

DiggDigg Find an article, video, or podcast online and submit it Find an article, video, or podcast online and submit it

to Digg.com. Your submission will immediately to Digg.com. Your submission will immediately appear in “Upcoming Stories,” where other members appear in “Upcoming Stories,” where other members can find it and, if they like it, Digg it.can find it and, if they like it, Digg it.

Subscribe to RSS feeds of particular topics, Subscribe to RSS feeds of particular topics, popular/upcoming sections, individual users, and the popular/upcoming sections, individual users, and the search terms of your choice search terms of your choice

Digg. Participate in the collaborative editorial process Digg. Participate in the collaborative editorial process by Digging the stuff that you like best. by Digging the stuff that you like best.

Build a friend list; then your friends can track what Build a friend list; then your friends can track what you’re Digging. They can also subscribe to an RSS you’re Digging. They can also subscribe to an RSS feed of your submissions and/or your Diggs. feed of your submissions and/or your Diggs.

http://www.digg.com/

FlickrFlickr

What you can do with your photos:What you can do with your photos: UploadUpload TagTag Geotag (mapping)Geotag (mapping) BlogBlog CommentComment OrganizeOrganize Organize into online photo albums with annotationOrganize into online photo albums with annotation Form/join groupsForm/join groups

http://www.flickr.com

Applications for FlickrApplications for Flickr

Virtual field tripVirtual field trip Categorize, analyze, evaluate imagesCategorize, analyze, evaluate images Geography practiceGeography practice Picture books-documentariesPicture books-documentaries Display original artworkDisplay original artwork Online scavenger huntsOnline scavenger hunts Process live field tripsProcess live field trips Upload exported (jpeg) Inspiration graphic organizersUpload exported (jpeg) Inspiration graphic organizers

More to Come…More to Come…

We will talk about and interact with We will talk about and interact with these any many others as the week these any many others as the week progresses….progresses….

Analyzing Facebook – a Analyzing Facebook – a closing to think aboutclosing to think about