Trends in Digital Literacy

Learning
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Brunswick Junior High School Principal Walter Wallace is responsible for supervising a staff of over 80 personnel and overseeing the curriculum and daily instruction of the Maine junior high school’s students. As principal of this school in Cumberland, Maine, Walter Wallace not only guides the daily operations of the school, he is also responsible for making sure that technology is incorporated into the curriculum. Trends in digital literacy show that more and more school administrators, across all grade levels, are adapting technology to classroom learning.

Of the main trends in technology and student learning, gaming technology has a growing role. More than being relics of prior classroom computer games, these games move beyond students simply answering questions in programs that test their critical thinking skills. At the same time, students are given feedback, which helps target and improve particular skill sets as well as identify areas in need of improvement.

Another trend in technology in the educational setting is blended learning. Blended learning allows students to take ownership of their education by allowing them to decide the direction and pace at which they learn. This approach requires less actual instruction time on the part of the educator and is discovery based.

Smart technology and redesigned work spaces are impacting student instruction as well. Smart stations are replacing conventional chalk boards and are providing teachers with a fully-functional platform for imparting lessons and accessing the internet. These smart classrooms include Smart pods, which replace traditional seating. Moreover, as opposed to the traditional classroom setup with students facing the teacher at the head of the class, today’s classrooms are organized in ways that promote collaborative learning. This technology has even transformed the way content is often delivered, for example, turning a classroom lesson into a virtual field trip.