ED 7720 - Central Issues and Research in New Literacies

Part of the IT&DML Program at the University of New Haven. Explores the research and practice of new literacies of the Internet and other communication technologies, combining theoretical grounding in literacy as social practice with hands-on use of digital tools for K-12 classroom implementation.

Course Description

This course provides a context in which pre-service and in-service teachers can explore the research and practice in the rapidly emerging area of the new literacies of the Internet and other communication technologies (ICTs). The course comprises a theoretical dimension that focuses on literacy as a social practice and a practical dimension that includes hands-on use of a range of new digital technologies and new literacy practices. Attention is paid to developing effective ways of taking up new literacies in classroom contexts.

Learning Objectives

Explain in depth the central principles that define the new literacies, broadly conceived, as well as the more specifically focused new literacies of online reading comprehension.
Integrate the new literacies of the Internet and other communication technologies into classroom reading, writing, and content area instruction in effective ways.
Design and develop an exemplary classroom website that includes effective integration of new literacies of online reading comprehension.
Evaluate the online reading comprehension skills of K-12 students.
Explore in depth one aspect of either new literacies or Internet integration into the classroom.

Required Readings

All readings available on the course website. Key texts include:

Leu, D. J., Jr., Leu, D. D. & Coiro, J. (2004). Teaching with the Internet: New Literacies for New Times (4th ed.). Christopher-Gordon.
Coiro, J., Knobel, M., Lankshear, C. & Leu, D. J. (Eds.) (2008). Central issues in new literacies and new literacies research. In Handbook of Research on New Literacies. Lawrence Erlbaum.
Lyman, P., Ito, M., Thorne, B. & Carter, M. (2009). Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media. MIT Press.

Assignments

Online Discussions and Instructional Apprentice (20%) — Contribute to online discussions a minimum of 2–3 times per week. Each student serves as Instructional Apprentice (IA) for one module: reads the literature, writes 1–2 discussion prompts, posts by Sunday night before class, leads the discussion, and assesses peers using the rubric.
Complete All Elements of the ORMS MOOC (50%) — Complete all five modules of the Online Research and Media Skills (ORMS) MOOC. Earn badges for all five modules and ultimately the Mentor Badge. Content submitted for badges must come from the student's own content area or expertise. Result: five lesson plans supporting a unit or theme of choice.
Design and Develop a Digital Learning Hub (30%) — Create a classroom website hosting teaching and learning materials. Should include three blog posts documenting the work process. Evaluated on quality of the final product and its utility to support and engage students in online learning.

Grading

Grade	Points
A	171–200
A-	163–170
B+	158–162
B	153–157
B-	148–152
C+	143–147
C	138–142
F	Below 133