Discussions

Your Name and Title:                   Oyeyemi Thomas Temidayo

School or Organization Name:     Pacific Comprehensive College

Co-Presenter Name(s):                Mr. Adefolaju Emmanuel, Head of ICT department, Pacific                                                       Schools.

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:   Lagos, Nigeria

Language in Which You Will Present:                    English

Target Audience(s):   Administrators of educational institutions, educators and students in                                     high schools.

Short Session Description (one line): This session will enlighten the target audience on                                                                   various technological mediums and how they can be                                                                       embedded into classroom, so as to develop active                                                                global citizen and prepare students or educators for                                                                                        future opportunities.
Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

        Digital literacy can be seen as the ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information.

         Philosophically, this is a good definition, but for over 5 years of teaching Junior and Secondary High School students at Pacific Comprehensive College Lagos, I know “digital literacy” is much more complicated than a couple of sentences, especially when we’re discussing about students baptized in ICT gadgets such as iPads and smartphones trending in Western part of Africa.

          Digital literacy implies the same reading-writing skills, but without paper, pencils, books, or lectures. It is purpose built and students-driven. As a teacher, I engage with my students using the following technologies;

• Digital devices -- such as laptops, iPads, Chromebooks, or desktops for daily use. Smart Board for audio visual presentations.
• A digital class calendar -- with due dates, activities and other events.
• An annotation tool (like Acrobat, Notability, or iAnnotate) to take notes.
• A class internet start page -- to curate websites, widgets, and other digital tools used for learning.
• Schoology -- for communication, online assessment, discussion groups and uploading notes
• A class website or blog -- to share class activities with parents and other stakeholders.
• Student digital portfolios -- to curate and collect student work for viewing and sharing.
• Student instant messaging such as e-mail, twitter or other dedicated forum
• Vocabulary or dictionary tool -- to decode meaning to unfamiliar words through digital device being used.

                           WHY IS DIGITAL LITERACY IMPORTANT IN SCHOOLS?              

         In modern times, schools now have to ensure a student’s digital literacy is ‘at a suitable level for future workplace’ and as a result of this all schools in West Africa now have an opportunity to deliver a strong life skill for all students.                                                                                                                                        Technology is an advantage in the classroom for the following reasons;

• To motivates students in their learning.
• Technology use reaches students of various learning style.
• Allows students to create and design their own unique products reflective of their personalities
• Promotes easy manipulation of media to construct their own meaning.
• Enables student to share their ideas or learning with teachers, peers and families.
• It gives an opportunity to explore technologies in preparedness for future career.
• It helps teachers to facilitate their student’s construction of knowledge and meaning.

Websites/URLs Associated with Your Session: