The Inquiry Design Model (IDM)TM is a distinctive approach to creating curriculum and instructional materials that honors teachers' knowledge and expertise, avoids over-prescription, and focuses on the central elements of the instructional design process as envisioned in the Inquiry Arc of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for State Social Studies Standards (National Council for the Social Studies, 2013).

Inquiry is a process of active learning that is driven by questioning and critical thinking. The understandings that students develop through inquiry are deeper and longer lasting than any pre-packaged knowledge delivered by teachers to students. Inquiry-based learning follows a process that progresses through phases, but is recursive and reflective throughout.

Alarmed by the possibility of social studies being overlooked in this context of new national disciplinary standards, National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools convened a meeting of 15 national organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history, to begin a conversation about a set of Common State Standards for Social Studies.

Let me begin by saying: reports of the death of the book are wildly exaggerated. Likewise traditional storytelling. Human beings have been telling stories around campfires since the first cavewoman struck a flint against another flint and noticed that an interesting spark flew off.

Software developer Mike Matas demos the first full-length interactive book for the iPad - with clever, swipeable video and graphics and some very cool data visualizations to play with. The book is "Our Choice," Al Gore's sequel to "An Inconvenient Truth."

iPad storyteller Joe Sabia introduces us to Lothar Meggendorfer, who created a bold technology for storytelling: the pop-up book. Sabia shows how new technology has always helped us tell our own stories, from the walls of caves to his own onstage iPad.

It may look harmless enough, with its random pattern of tiny black squares on a white grid, but the next time you scan one of China's ubiquitous QR codes, you could end up seriously out of pocket....

The Comic Creator invites students to compose their own comic strips for a variety of contexts (prewriting, pre- and postreading activities, response to literature, and so on). The organizers focus on the key elements of comic strips by allowing students to choose backgrounds, characters, and props, as well as to compose related dialogue (shown at left). This versatile tool can be used by students from kindergarten through high school, for purposes ranging from learning to write dialogue to an in-depth study of a formerly neglected genre. The tool is easy to use, made even easier with the Comic Strip Planning Sheet, a printable PDF that comic creators can use to draft and revise their work before creating and printing their final comics. After completing their comic, students have the ability to print out and illustrate their final versions for feedback and assessment.

Discover an endless library of free books, picture books, & poetry or use simple tools to create books in minutes. Storybird is a creative community where readers & writers celebrate storytelling.

As mobile learning becomes more and more prevalent, we must find effective ways to leverage mobile tools in the classroom. As always, the tool must fit the need. Mobile learning can create both the tool and the need. With safe and specific structures, mobile learning tools can harness the excitement of technology with the purpose of effective instruction.

Although QR codes have long since lost their shiny, new glow, the technology hasn't lost its value in education. The rise of one-to-one computing and bring-your-own-device programs in K-12 schools means students access digital learning tools more than ever before.

The QR, or "Quick Response" code, is much like barcode, except that it can hold more data. With one quick scan using a QR code reader app (most of which are free) the "matrix image," as Edutopia's Monica Burns calls it, can lead you to a specific place on the web.

Bring this set of six beautifully designed wooden blocks to life through augmented reality with the Elements 4D app.

Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Anatomy 4D. Download Anatomy 4D and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about The Brain AR App. Download The Brain AR App and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Quiver 3D Augmented Reality coloring apps: print, color and see your drawing in beautifully hand-animated 3D worlds

While the word "literacy" alone generally refers to reading and writing skills, when you tack on the word "digital" before it, the term encompasses much, much more. Sure, reading and writing are still very much at the heart of digital literacy.

The Internet Is Important To Everyone infographic explains why Americans are not using the internet or purchasing home internet service and offers actions our communities...

Contact US Digital Literacy Today Our message: Thank you for visiting US Digital Literacy. Digital Literacy is important in education, the work force and generally for every internet user. While this site focuses on the educational side of Digital Li teracy, it also provides many resources in an all in one website to help you tap into the exponential amount of resources available via the internet.