Integrating Digital Literacy and Problem Solving into Instruction
These project-based lesson ideas for adult students improve their skills in using technology to solve problems and communicate with others, while increasing their digital literacy skills and access to technology.
Integrating Digital Literacy and Problem Solving into Instruction accelerates learning for adult students by improving their use of technology to solve problems and communicate with others, while increasing their digital literacy and access. The project-based lessons can be adapted for use in most ESOL or ABE classrooms and used to provide reading and writing as well as speaking and listening practice while students improve their 21st century skills of problem solving, technology use and teamwork. One of the goals is for adult students to learn about low-cost broadband opportunities for adult students. Lessons involve students in learning about which libraries have free computer access, and then using Google maps to locate them. Another lesson educates learners about low-cost deals through Everyone On and asks them to share the information with others via posters or presentations.
The lessons in this packet integrate technology into authentic problem-based activities. To successfully complete many of the tasks, learners need some familiarity with Internet searching. The activities will help students improve their digital literacy by requiring them to evaluate and select web resources. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the lesson ideas and scenarios to fit the problems that most closely match the needs, learning objectives, skills, and prior experience of learners in their class. Some scaffolding may be helpful, such as pre-teaching computer terminology, and review of subject area content, such as using imperatives for writing instructions.
Comfort with basic computer skills and navigating the web.
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