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ED 657 - New Literacies and Online Communication Technologies

A graduate course at the University of New Haven examining how the Internet and other communication technologies shape social and educational systems, guided by critical foundational theories of new and traditional media. A predecessor/variant of ED 7710 - Foundations in Media Literacy and ED 6671 - Online Research and Media Skills.

Course Description

Students in this course consider the Internet and other communication technologies (ICTs) as they shape social and educational systems. This examination is guided by critical foundational theories to include a focused study of traditional and new media, including social media that attempts to account for the feedback loops between institutions, audiences, and technology. The class examines foundational research across various media to evaluate how media is used in K-12 instruction, with awareness of how these skills will play out in higher education or in individuals' lives. Media literacy means not just accepting what is presented, but being an active user, a critical media evaluator — understanding content, systems, application, and effect — to be a better informed decision maker.

Learning Objectives

  1. Examine the evolving nature of subject-matter knowledge and the need for constantly acquiring new ideas and understandings, including the impact of technology and information sources on teaching, communications, and knowledge development.
  2. Design strategic questions and opportunities that appropriately challenge students and actively engage them in exploring content through strategies such as discourse and inquiry-based learning.
  3. Debate and critique the ethical and legal issues associated with bringing new media technologies and participatory culture practices into the classroom.
  4. Outline the ethical challenges youth face in their roles as media producers and members of online communities.
  5. Apply theoretical understandings to the development of curricular resources for use in school or after-school programs.

Required Readings

All readings available on the course website.

Assignments

  1. Online Responses and Google+ Communities (15%) — Weekly posts to the course community: one post at the start of the week, one response to a colleague, one post at the end. Maximum 300 words; must connect to course readings and the week's question of inquiry.

  2. Online Collaborative Writing Responses (15%) — Two collaborative writing pieces with peers using Google Docs addressing new and digital literacies and their classroom integration.

  3. Create an Online Tutorial (25%) — Choose a free web-based ICT and develop a how-to guide for educators including setup procedures, instructional routines, curricular ideas, and an example lesson plan. Includes written instructions and screencasts or screenshots, posted to the Digital Texts and Tools course site.

  4. Review Paper (20%) — Explore a central topic in new literacies research and instruction. Minimum 10 pages, APA style, reviewing research on Internet integration in the classroom with a focus on instructional recommendations. Written collaboratively with peers in Google Docs.

  5. Design and Develop a Unit Plan (25%) — Implement at least one aspect of the Online Research and Media Skills (ORMS) Curriculum. Unit culminates in a collaborative student inquiry project. Must include at least one full lesson plan plus materials and calendar for remaining days. Built into a classroom website.

Grading

Grade Points
A 171–200
A- 163–170
B+ 158–162
B 153–157
B- 148–152 (minimum to avoid repeating course)
C+ 143–147
C 138–142
F Below 133

Per UNH Graduate School policy, students whose work falls below B- are required to repeat the course.

Connections