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This position statement focuses on the critical role of media literacy in the social studies curriculum. The statement addresses the following questions. First, why and how has media literacy taken on a significantly more important role in preparing citizens for democratic life? Second, how is media literacy defined, and what are some of its essential concepts? Finally, what is required to teach media literacy and what are some examples of classroom activities?

Welcome to the Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum. The goal of Digital Literacy is to teach and assess the basic concepts and skills needed to use a computer. Computer technology can help you in your everyday life to develop new social and economic opportunities for yourself, your family and your community. Whether you are entirely new to computing or have some experience, this curriculum will help you understand computers better. From using the Internet, to sending e-mail, to creating a CV, the Digital Literacy Curriculum helps you develop the essential skills you need to begin computing with confidence.

Google Digital Literacy Tour iKeepSafe is dedicated to the education of families on how to stay safe online. That's why we've teamed up with Google to develop curriculum that educators can use in the classroom to teach what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. The curriculum is designed to be interactive, discussion filled and allow students to learn through hands-on and scenario activities. Each workshop contains a resource booklet for both educators and students that can be downloaded in PDF form, presentations to accompany the lesson and animated videos to help frame the conversation.

"Is there a right and a wrong way to teach social media in schools? Some administrators think so. Many schools across the country have banned the use of social networking platforms, but others are transitioning to a more proactive approach. Many experts and school officials say that abandoning the more reactionary responses to social media is the first step toward implanting a more effective digital literacy education."

The texts that students interact with have rapidly expanded from the days when the only definition of a text was a print-based book or magazine. While students interact with a range of print, visual, and sound texts, they do not always recognize that these many documents are texts. By creating an inventory of personal texts, students begin to consciously recognize the many literacy demands in contemporary society. With this start, they create a working definition of literacy that they refine and explore as they continue their investigation of the texts that they interact with at home, at school, and in other settings.

"Digital citizenship is a key component of the technology and media literacy. We do not teach our students how to be  good citizens in the real physical world  but how they can be good netizens of the online world  as well.Today's learning requires alot of use of technology and most imprtant of all, our students are using technology on a daily basis- text messaging, blogging, Facebooking, Twittering, watching videos, gaming and networking. They live in two different but interconnected worlds. What they do online can have a severe repercussions on their real life if not properly instructed on digital safety issues and this is where digital citizenship fits in."

EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that aims to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet, computers, and free digital literacy accessible to all unconnected Americans. Technology and digital skills are essential to ensure future generations can compete in the global economy and to prepare them for the 21st century workforce. EveryoneOn aims to leverage the democratizing power of the Internet to provide opportunity to all Americans - regardless of age, race, geography, income, or education level.

While introduced as a hard drive based music player in 2001, the iPod has evolved into an essential tool for literacy in the 21st century. The availability of educational content is staggering. There are podcasts on everything from math to history to science to learning a foreign language. There is even a podcast on basket weaving. What is even more amazing is how easy it is for students and teachers to create their own digital content for the iPod. Students can then guide their own learning at their own pace, and review content on-demand. This idea of anywhere-anytime learning means the student is no longer tethered to the classroom learning environment.

The results of the report suggest that public school districts need to start training their teachers to teach digital media skills to K12 students, according to Hargittai and Don Knezek, chief executive officer of the International Society for Technology in Education. "In a case that an administrator says it's [knowing digital media skills] not important, that administrator is not looking at the world today and how youths [do research]", says Knezek, who calls the skills "new century literacies." The study is "an excellent indicator for pre-K12 education and a reality check for higher ed and postsecondary training.

Get all the tools you need with our FREE Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum and Parent Media Education Program. The relevant, ready-to-use instruction helps you guide students to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions in the digital world where they live, study and play. Every day, your students are tested with each post, search, chat, text message, file download

But in an increasingly connected and digital world, the things a student needs to know are indeed changing-fundamental human needs sometimes drastically redressed for an alien modern world. Just as salt allowed for the keeping of meats, the advent of antibiotics made deadly viruses and diseases simply inconvenient, and electricity completely altered when and where we slept and work and played, technology is again changing the kind of "stuff" a student needs to know.

We Give Books is a new digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online. We Give Books combines the joy of reading with the power of helping others, providing a platform for caregivers and educators to inspire children to become lifelong readers and lifelong givers. We Give Books also helps some of the world's best, most inspiring, literacy organizations by spreading the word about their great work and by providing books to the young people these organizations support.

Speakaboos brings classic children's entertainment into a digital world. Beloved characters and treasured stories are given new life through amazing celebrity performances, beautiful illustrations, and original music. At Speakaboos, children develop literacy skills while learning about technology in a safe and fun environment.

Global WRITeS, Inc. is an educational organization whose mission is to promote communication and collaboration among youth and adults throughout the world using innovative technology resources such as video conferencing and digital media. Our programs in schools are literacy based with an integration in the performing arts. Our purpose is to provide opportunities for increased motivation for learning and to further student achievement for high needs student populations in cities throughout the world.

Daily lesson plans for your classroom Parents and teachers can take 10 minutes every day with kids to explore the web through a big, beautiful image of the day. Our Bing in the Classroom lesson plans promote digital literacy and critical thinking in fun, short activities that align with the common core and are written by teachers we know and love.

My passion is to remove the obstacles to learning for all students and these free tools offer opportunities for struggling learners that promote academic success. When material is digital or electronic, it is flexible and accessible. It is our responsibility as educators to provide materials that promote success. Please encourage all educators to consider using these free tools.

Web search can be a remarkable tool for students, and a bit of instruction in how to search for academic sources will help your students become critical thinkers and independent learners. With the materials on this site, you can help your students become skilled searchers- whether they're just starting out with search, or ready for more advanced training.

"Creating and enhancing your personal learning network to empower your profession learning"