Developing Digital Literacies
Foreword by Patrick Larkin
This job-embedded professional development program leads to tech-savvy teachers and students, with a modular framework, tips on using PLNs, technology-related supports, and a companion website.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781452255521
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2013
- Page Count: 200
- Publication date: July 17, 2013
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Description
Turn teachers—and students—into tech-savvy digital citizens!
Digital literacies are essential for managing information and communication in our rapidly changing world—but the old scattered approaches to introducing technology have left many teachers playing catch-up with their students. With this authentic, job-embedded professional development program, you’ll help K–12 teachers incorporate digital literacies into their classrooms once and for all.
Using a modular, highly adaptable framework that capitalizes on the personnel and resources you already have available, this comprehensive program includes:
- Instructions on developing personal learning networks (PLN) for collaborative learning and applying digital literacies in the classroom
- Tips for maximizing teacher motivation and buy-in
- Technology-related supports to enable schoolwide curriculum integration
- A companion website with electronic planning and implementation materials, sample instructional tools, and links to supporting resources
When you empower teachers to harness existing technologies and digital resources, they’ll build upon their teaching expertise—and change the way students learn.
"Summey presents a well-crafted, technology professional development model that is sound in practice, adaptable, and can be easily implemented at the local level. And, as an added bonus, he includes a new digital literacies framework that surrounds the professional development structure and is a stellar model for framing the teaching and learning of the important 21st century skill-set for both educators and students!"
—Kathy Schrock, Educational Technologist
Key features
- Bridges the gap between knowing and doing. Teachers become empowered to harness existing technologies and readily accessible digital resources in order to build upon their own teaching expertise and change the way students learn.
- An in-depth professional development resource complete with the technology-related supports to enable school-wide curriculum integration.
- The book’s companion website (http://www.digitalliteracies.net) includes electronic versions of planning and implementation materials, sample instructional tools, and links to additional supporting resources such as tutorials, lesson ideas, and multimedia content that will further enable a successful professional development initiative and ultimately effective integration into classroom instruction.
Author(s)

Dustin C. Summey
Table of Contents
Foreword, by Patrick Larkin
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. New Literacies in a Digital World
Literacy
Defining Digital Literacies
Standards
The Digital Literacies
Emergent Literacies
Computer Literacy
Cultural Literacy
Game Literacy
Media Literacy
Multimedia Literacy
Network Literacy
Social Literacy
Visual Literacy
Web Literacy
Multiliteracies
Information Literacy
New Literacies
Digital Literacy
Commonalities among Emergent Literacies
The Five Digital Literacies
Locating and Filtering
Sharing and Collaborating
Organizing and Curating
Creating and Generating
Reusing and Repurposing
Memes
Digital Literacies in the Context of Teaching and Learning
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
2. Professional Development That (Really) Works
Standards
Part One: Characteristics of Effective Professional Development
Job-Embedded
Well-Planned
Differentiated
Cohesive and Ongoing
Common Problems and Pitfalls
Technical Issues
Logical Issues
Affective Issues
A Concise, Step-Wise Approach
Planning
Marketing
Implementation
Follow-Up
Part Two: Professional Development Models, Formats, and Approaches
Conferences
Virtual Conferences
Seminars
Workshops
Presentations
Professional Learning Communities
Peer Mentoring
Self-Directed Activities
Creative Approaches to In-House Professional Development
Summer Academy
Mini-Conference
Unconference
After-School Cohorts
Lunch-n-Learn / Prep-Period Tune-Ups
Webinars
Online/On-Demand (“On-Your-Own”)
Podcasts
Learning Bursts
Teachlets
Hosting Content
Mobile Learning (“On-the-Go”)
Conclusion
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
3. A Framework for Program Development and Implementation
Needs Assessment
Creating the Survey
Timing Is Key
Delivery Method
A Modular Approach
Faculty Seminars
Professional Learning Communities
Experimenting: Play Is Okay
Collective Knowledge
Reflecting
Pursuing Results
Peer Mentoring
Assessment
Self-Study
Personal Learning Networks
Individual Classroom Integration
Individual Consultations & Training and Support Resources
Program Timeline
Program Evaluation
Session Evaluations
Midpoint and End-of-Year Surveys
PLC Share-Out Days
Building on the Best
Emerging Leaders
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Chapter 4 Teacher Leaders and Support Structures
Layers of Support
Administrative Support and Resources
Program Coordinator
Planning
Large-Group Training
Train the Trainer
Participant Leaders
Support Site
Individualized Support
Looking for Leaders
Opinion Leaders
The Three L’s of Leadership
80/20 Principles
Developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Chapter 5 Promoting Buy-In and Active Participation
Making the Positive Pitch
Common Challenges
Time and Scheduling
Apathy and Burnout
Poor Quality and Lack of Substance
Marketing Your Program
Creating a Brand for Your Program
Advertising
Publicity
Public Relations
Making the Sale
The Importance of Relationships
Leveraging Intrinsic Motivation
Breaking Down Barriers
Incentivizing Teacher Participation
How to Tank a Teaser
Door Prizes
Instructional Materials
Release Time
Salary Schedule Advancement
Mini-Grants
Presenter Compensation
Making the Connection to the Classroom
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Chapter 6 Long-Term Planning: Ensuring a Lasting Impact
An Embedded Approach
Resources and Support
Professional Growth Plans
Accountability
Faculty Turnover, Base Training, and Recalibration
Personal Learning Networks
The Plan
Tracks and Strands
Recognition Programs
Developing a Digital Literacies Action Plan
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Chapter 7 The Tools of Technology
Locating and Filtering
What Is It?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Related Tools
Examples in Teaching and Learning
Sharing and Collaborating
What Is It?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Related Tools
Examples in Teaching and Learning
Organizing and Curating
What Is It?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Related Tools
Examples in Teaching and Learning
Creating and Generating
What Is It?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Related Tools
Examples in Teaching and Learning
Reusing and Repurposing
What Is It?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Examples in Teaching and Learning
Related Tools
Mobile Learning
Digital Literacies Integration Plan
References
Index
Reviews
"I believe this work will be instrumental in moving some along in their thinking about 21st century skills, developing well rounded young people who are capable of global thought, and capitalizing upon the tremendous resources available at our fingertips. I feel energized and eager to explore some of the options."Judith A. Rogers, K-5 Mathematics Specialist
Tucson Unified School District, AZ
"Summey presents a well-crafted, technology professional development model that is sound in practice, adaptable, and can be easily implemented at the local level. And, as an added bonus, he includes a new digital literacies framework which surrounds the professional development structure and is a stellar model for framing the teaching and learning of the important 21st century skill-set for both educators and students!"Kathy Schrock, Educational Technologist
"This is a GREAT book. An invaluable resource for transforming professional development that supports teaching and learning with technology. The author provides simple and straight forward steps on how to implement professional development. It addresses critical issues of identifying, exploring, planning, and implementing 21st Century learning with professional development."Howie DiBlasi, Ph.D., CEO
Digital Journey
"There is a pressing need to provide professional development in digital literacies for teachers at all levels of our school systems. This book provides tools and ideas for the construction of valuable experiences that will engage and inspire teachers while at the same time providing them with the essential digital tools for learning in the 21st century."Lee Ann Tysseling, Associate Professor
Boise State University Department of Literacy
"I have not seen a book such as this that offers a comprehensive overview of current trends in instructional technology while offering suggestions on how to best reach teachers to explore and embrace these new tools."Barbara Cavanah, Technology Specialist
Monroe County School District
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Related Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.