In Chapter Five, Maloy et. al discuss the changing face of ICT and 21st Century Literacies. ICT literacy, or information and communication technology literacy, refers to the "ability to use digital information, communication tools, and networks appropriately to solve information problems in order to function in an information society" (Maloy et al, p115). NCTE uses a similar description of 21st century - "proficiency with technology tools, the ability to build relationships and solve problems collaboratively, the capability to design and share information, the capacity to analyze and evaluate information from multiple sources, and the ability to handle information in ethical ways" (Maloy et al, p117). No matter how you describe it, it seems education communities across the country and around the world recognize the importance of digital literacy.
A recent Education Week article highlighted the changing views of digital literacy. (As an aside, if you don't follow @educationweek on Twitter, you should. They post multiple free articles and blogs each day providing commentary and real-time updates on issues in American education...that's how I came across this article). No longer an elective or enrichment program, policy makers and district superintendents across the country are pushing for more teacher-training and implementation of computer science. Computer science education, which they describe as more of the 'back-end' programming and troubleshooting of technology, has become so mainstream that seventeen states and the District of Columbia are allowing their students to take computer science in lieu of mathematics or science credit. In many ways, these three disciples adopt Jonassen's Constructivist Learning Theory - manipulation of the environment, articulation of what they have learned, and reflection on what they did (Jonassen, 7). This is not to say that all states are on board, of course. Striking disparities do exist between the exposure and availability of such courses across geographical and racial demographics. College Board reported, for example, that in 2013 there were 11 states where not a single African American student took the AP Computer Science exam and 8 states in which not a single Hispanic student took the exam. There were also three states where less then ten students TOTAL (across all racial demographics) took the exam. So of course, there's a long way to go, but the ball has clearly started rolling.
Check out the full text Education Week article HERE.
Questions for the Group:
1. What is your main source of information regarding current events in American and global education? Are there any reliable blogs or publications you recommend?
2.In your experience, as a student or as a teacher, was computer science education offered in your school? Was it an elective course or could it count towards math/science credit as described in the article?
Alexa thoughts
10 years ago
I am embarrassingly guilty that the main sources I find my currents events are through social media sites. In middle school computer science was a required class which was more of a basic computer knowledge class more than anything. Through it we learned how to properly type, maneuver around the internet as well as use and create projects through things such as powerpoint and excel. It did not count toward math or science credits instead it was simply just a required elected.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that we cannot deny that social media sites are also good resources which are frequently used for us to get a large of amount of information. Since there're many official organizations, books, TV stations joined in the social media platform. For example, I caught up with news of the missing plane of a Malaysia Airlines by staying on social media such as Twitter and Weibo for the newly report. We can easily get the information in time. But the problem is that for our students, they need to pay attention and learn how to filter out the unreliable information and evaluate the websites.
ReplyDeleteMy main source of information regarding current events in America and global education is through the internet I use MSN or CNN for the most part. I think it's very convenient and the most up to date and I don't worry that it's false because these are safe sites.
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing @educationweek. I will add that to my twitter. I am sad to say but I am not up to date with the current events in America and global education. Only through watching the news am I updated. In terms of question 2, computer science was offered to me as a student. It was an elective course. I found it very interesting that computer science is becoming mainstream and is required as a math or science credit. I do like the idea that there is a push for teacher-training and implementation of computer science. I believe its necessary for students to be provided this course.
ReplyDeleteI certainly like your first question. My main sources of information regarding subject of my lesson are mostly form my native language resources so far. I guess if I am good at English, I can get more useful information. I think that there are a lot of website made by government or official organization. I used to search information on various topics via that site. There are plenty of instructional material.
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