A little about this course

Current innovations in educational technology and their application to teaching and learning are examined with critical analysis and reasoned judgement. Consideration will be given to the cognitive structures, pedagogical strategies, critical thinking and the inquiry process.

​Through a process of asking questions, constructing knowledge, exploration and discourse, students will examine digital citizenship, digital literacies, current policies & procedures, and issues that impact teaching and learning in digital contexts. The diversity of technology, the Internet, social media and tools of the “Read-Write” web form a significant portion of the course experience. Students will explore relevant digital hardware and software tools to create, communicate, instruct, and think critically.

Layers of the
​Learning Environment

The course is designed with an inner layer, the secure Desire to Learn course site, and an outer layer, this 3239 CDL open web site. The lines and actions extend outward from the course site to open web resources and links. The course site will suggest and direct you to move into the D2L to access the discussion forums, assignment drop boxes and secure spaces for group conversations. The outer layer will provide links to external web tools and resources that are not found within the inner layer. You can begin within the inner layer, but to learn the full potential of critical digital literacy you will need to move fluidly between the layers of learning.

FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
A commitment to a clear vision of what it means to be a teacher is at the core of teacher professionalism. The principles of the Ontario College of Teachers’ (OCT) Professional Standards have been embedded in the learning expectations for this course. 

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LEARNING OUTCOMES - Course Specific Learning Outcomes

1. Identify digital and communication technologies (DCT) available for teaching and learning.
2. Demonstrate and model components of critical digital literacies, digital safety, and digital citizenship in teaching contexts
3. Analyze and critically evaluate digital technologies and pedagogies for use with students.
4. Exhibit fluencies in the use, operation, and application of educational technologies as a teacher and learner.
5. Create and participate within a PLN using collaborative technologies with a critical digital literacy focus.
6. Reflect and evaluate DCT issues in the teaching profession and articulate ideas in a variety of written and media forms.
7. Effectively communicate ideas, concepts and issues using a variety of web-based tools, for different purposes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES - Specific Outcomes

• identify and define critical digital literacies
• explore issues, risks, and benefits of digital and communication technologies in the teaching profession
• actively participate in digital communities and networked learning spaces through discussion, collaboration and creation using a variety of digital and media based formats
• build relationships with mentors in the teaching profession through the application of digital literacies
• consider how to apply critical literacy skills to teaching and learning with specific digital tools and technologies
• analyze, evaluate, present, and reflect on critical digital literacy issues in the classroom by articulating ideas in written, oral and multimedia forms

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Finding your way around this course site

Use the 'search' tool in the footer of every page or on the HOME page of the course. It will provide a quick way to find what you may be looking for in the course content. Use key words or tags to help you locate yourself in this digital space.

Watch for Colour Coding in the Course

Course spaces and text has been colour coded to support your wayfinding. Each space has a different colour (where possible) and hypertext links are always identified with a RED coloured text or button. 

• The Commons - GREEN
• The Classroom - BLUE
• The Lab - ORANGE
• The Coffee Shop - BROWN
• ​The Office - RED