BLC17

By the time students reach the early childhood classroom, many of them are already absorbing large amounts of content through technology. To keep up with 21st century demands, the term “literacy” should encompass the fluency with which children can interface with and manipulate new forms of media. In other words, students should not just be users of digital media, but creators as well. By teaching students how to effectively communicate their own ideas through media such as icons, videos, hashtags and more, students can apply the same critical thinking and analytical skills that we teach in reading and writing to their experience with current communication tools.

In this session, the amazing Olivia Van Ledtje (a.k.a LivBit) and I will share how young students can experience and learn literacy skills that match the way we communicate in today’s world. Taken together, the ideas in this workshop will enable early childhood educators to strengthen and diversify their core teaching methods by integrating them with the latest technology has to offer.

Participants will:
-Examine how 21st century media is changing the definition of literacy in early childhood, and how classrooms should adjust to make the most of this evolution
-Walk through several exercises that break down how to use literacy concepts to teach young learners how to analyze and create new forms of media
-Walk away with examples and tools for how technology can be used to enhance the Reading and Writing Workshop in grades K-2