Learning.com Brings Digital Literacy to High School Students with Project NextTech
Portland, Ore. (PRWEB) November 04, 2014 -- Learning.com announces Project NextTech, a high school digital literacy course that helps prepare students for success in high school, college, and their future career opportunities. The content is based on curriculum developed by the nonprofit Generation YES through years of research and student and teacher feedback. Project NextTech addresses the 24 performance indicators in the ISTE Standards for Students and provides authentic learning experiences along with opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills through projects and a final portfolio.
“To compete in our global economy, students need digital aptitude and a solid foundation of technology skills.” said Keith Oelrich, Learning.com CEO. “Project NextTech can help high school educators ensure that their graduates are prepared for the digital demands of college and the 21st century workforce.”
Project NextTech’s curriculum is organized around three core topics:
- Technology Literacy: Students gain technology skills and the ability to select the correct tools for the context and audience.
- Information Literacy: Students locate and access information, evaluate information critically and competently, and use information effectively and ethically.
- Media Literacy: Students access, analyze, evaluate and create media in all forms.
Spanning two semesters, Project NextTech is divided into four nine-week curriculum blocks consisting of eight weeks of instruction and a one-week project. Each unit includes a teacher preparation section, student overview and performance-based activities to help educators evaluate student understanding. As a course capstone, students create a digital portfolio to showcase their projects and other examples of their best work.
Students can use their portfolios to demonstrate capabilities when applying to colleges or employment opportunities that require digital skills. The course also helps students identify strengths and interests while researching potential career choices.
“This solution not only helps students develop a strong understanding of 21st century tools and applications to help them succeed academically,” says Oelrich. “But also helps them become resourceful learners and critical consumers who are able to evaluate digital information for credibility, context and bias.”
Project NextTech will be available for schools to implement starting January 2015.
To learn more about Project NextTech, visit http://www.learning.com/project-nexttech or stop by the Learning.com booth (#414) at the iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium.
Heather Blackwell, Learning.com, http://Learning.com, 503-517-4452, [email protected]
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