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The Understanding by Design® framework (UbD™ framework) offers a planning process and structure to guide curriculum, assessment, and instruction. Its two key ideas are contained in the title: 1) focus on teaching and assessing for understanding and learning transfer, and 2) design curriculum "backward" from those ends.

"Using games as a learning tool is not new--research abounds to demonstrate the use of video games enhancing problem-solving skills and creativity. Pioneer educational games, like Carmen Sandiego and Oregon Trail, have given birth to online, multiuser, digital simulations that would make their forebears blush. Now, in what seems to be a natural evolution, a growing number of schools are taking the concept one step further and asking students to design the games themselves. Game creation as a learning tool is really just a digital-age take on the old learning-by-doing approach to teaching: Students pick up concepts easier and retain more information when they are hands on with their subject matter. In game creation, students are presented with the task of building a digital learning activity that focuses on a particular topic, such as ecology, mathematics, or social studies. Using a framework and the fundamentals of game design, they create a game that demonstrates their knowledge of the topic."

"Common examples of uses include: demonstrations of contextual images; images with clickable parts (an image map) that link to further information e.g. Google maps; video recordings of teaching sessions; to produce media-enhanced feedback; and recordings of special events such as guest lecturers. A useful guide to the range of uses of digital media to support teaching learning is provided by the JISC-funded Digital Artefacts for Learner Engagement (DiAL-e) Framework. "

From Canada: Lots of support information on digital and media literacy, teacher resources and research data are available under the tabs. Includes Use, Understand & Create: A Digital Literacy frameworks for K-3, 4-6, 7-8. Lesson plans are provided to support the learning outcomes or each year level.

"Improve engagement, comprehension, and critical thinking by teaching students the process of asking insightful questions."