Connected Learning: A Primer for State Policymakers Fourth of four reports Promoting Digital Literacy Among Students and Educators BY SUNNY DEYE Students today are expected to learn and apply skills that differ greatly from those for previous generations, including flexible communication and collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving. In the 2011 book, A New Culture of Learning, Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown describe the kind of learning necessary in this new environment as “whitewater learning”—the ability to acquire useful knowledge and skills while at the same time practicing them in an environment that is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges. This kind of knowledge is often put to use while it is being learned. Digital technology is becoming an increasingly • Digital literacy refers to fluency in the use critical tool in providing students and educa- and security of interactive digital tools tors with a personalized learning experience and searchable networks. This literacy in- that takes advantage of resources and op- cludes the ability to use these tools safely portunities both inside and outside the school and effectively for learning, collaborating building. Digital technology and media provide and producing. It also protects against new opportunities for students and educators network-based crime such as phishing to pursue their interests and find educational and malicious hacking. resources, experiences and courses any time and any place, including schools, libraries, mu- • Social-emotional literacy, as defined by seums and community centers. As these or- the Collaborative for Academic, Social, ganizations invest in 21st century technology and Emotional Learning (CASEL), refers to the ability to understand and manage upgrades, they must ensure that students and emotions, set and achieve positive goals, educators have a set of “digital age literacies” feel and show empathy for others, and that enable them not only to take full advan- make responsible decisions. tage of online learning opportunities, but also to understand and respond appropriately to Educators also need to be competent in digital the risks they may encounter on the Internet. age literacies in order to help their students take advantage of the new tools. State policy- Policy Considerations – makers are acting to address digital age litera- Digital Age Literacies cies for students and educators, recognizing that a variety of digital skills and competen- Researchers have identified critical compo- cies are now basic to classroom performance, nents of digital, media and social-emotional workforce readiness and full participation in literacy—known as digital age literacies—that civic life. can help keep young people safe online while allowing them to take full advantage of the State Policy Approaches tools of the networked world. The 2014 report of the Aspen Institute Task Force on Learning State legislatures are investing in programs and the Internet, Learner at the Center of a and professional development to provide digi- Networked World, recommends that states tal literacy skills for students and educators. A and districts adopt policies to ensure that the handful of states are modifying teacher train- following digital age literacies are taught as ing program requirements to include digital basic skills in schools. age literacies. • Media literacy refers to the ability to FLORIDA understand, interpret and use different • HB 5101 (2014) requires public schools to forms of media: books, hypertext, videos, provide K-12 students with opportunities podcasts and more. Media literacy re- for learning computer science, including quires users to understand how to search, computer coding and computer program- produce and use online information, ming. It permits elementary and middle including understanding the intricacies of schools to establish digital classrooms to intellectual property. improve digital literacy and competency; © 2015 2 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES to learn digital skills, such as coding, LOUISIANA multiple media presentation, and the • SB 622 (2014) requires the Department manipulation of multiple digital graphic of Education to develop and implement images; and to earn digital tool certifi- cates and grade-appropriate, technology- a statewide technology plan for public related industry certifications. It requires elementary and secondary schools that the Department of Education to develop provides training and ongoing profes- a five-year strategic plan for integrating sional development. It aims to ensure technology in classrooms, with minimum that teachers and other school staff have requirements for professional learning the skills necessary to effectively and opportunities that help educators identify efficiently use technology infrastructure, the types of digital tools and resources software, data management and online they need to manage, assess and monitor resources to enhance and improve stu- student learning and performance. dent engagement and learning. © 2015 3 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES NORTH CAROLINA Considerations for State Policymakers • HB 23 (2013) requires that students The state policy examples discussed here preparing to teach demonstrate com- address the development of digital age lit- petency in digital learning and its eracies so that educators and young people application before licensure, as well can effectively use the tools of the digital as for teaching license renewal. It also age to communicate, collaborate and be- requires students in school administra- have ethically online. As learning becomes tion programs to demonstrate compe- increasingly personalized, new digital-age tency in digital learning and in support- tools—such as digital badges (described on ing teachers and staff in using digital page 5)—provide flexibility in acknowledg- instruction technology, and requires ing that learning occurs both in and out of the State Board of Education to develop school. Understanding how to navigate and digital teaching and learning standards use these tools will be increasingly impor- for school staff. tant to prepare the 21st century learner for MINNESOTA success in college, career and civic life. • SB 1528 (2012) requires postsecondary State legislators are leading the movement institutions—and any ongoing school to embrace technology as a powerful learn- staff development—to include in their ing tool, both in and out of school. Learn- programs the knowledge and skills ing institutions—such as schools, libraries, teacher candidates need to deliver museums and community centers— are digital and blended learning and cur- finding new ways to increase opportuni- riculum and engage students with ties to engage the 21st century learner. technology. Other briefs in this series explore how state legislatures are adjusting policies to harness MAINE the power of technology in the classroom, expand broadband access and protect stu- • SP 161 (2011) requires the commission- dent privacy. er of education to develop a program of technical assistance for instruction Recommended Resources in digital literacy, including offering professional development and train- Learner at the Center of a Networked World ing for educators in the effective use of is the 2014 report of the Aspen Institute online learning resources. The techni- Task Force on Learning and the Internet. cal assistance must include a model The Connected Learning Alliance is a net- for instruction that promotes digital work of organizations, projects and individ- literacy for students; a clearinghouse uals working to make learning relevant by of information on using online learning integrating personal interests, peer relation- resources, including best practices in ships and the tools of the digital age. using open educational resources and open-source textbooks; and profession- Common Sense Media works with policy- al development and training for educa- makers, industry leaders, parents and teach- tors in effectively using online learning ers to improve the media and technology resources. landscape for all kids, families and schools. © 2015 4 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES A New Tool: Digital Badges Digital badges are a rapidly growing, universal system of credentialing learning that allows users to earn a visual, meaningful acknowledgement of their specialized skills and interests. Digital badges are much like an online version of the iron-on badges earned in scout troops. They serve as proof of a skill learned. Once earned, badges can be listed on a student’s resume or social media profiles and would link to a list of what qualified the student for the badge and to portfolio samples that illustrate the skill. Digital badges provide: • In-depth information. Badges built on a secure, open-standard platform can safely store layers of information about the learner. A few clicks can reveal where the learning took place, which skills were achieved, ex- amples of creative work and more. • New learning pathways. In the Cities of Learning (described below), one badge leads to another. Each time young people earn a badge, they are linked to additional learn- ing opportunities and invited to “level-up” to broaden or deepen skills. In this way, badges can help young people create cross- institution pathways for learning that propel them toward college, a career or involvement in their community. • A more level playing field. Spending on out-of-school enrichment for children has tripled