Volume 2 issue 1

Educational research is a very dynamic field. A lot of action research and increasingly more collaborative research (which means that classrooms are welcoming research teams) is occurring everywhere. However, the results do not often leave the inside of the walls of universities and research centres so that it can be applied in schools. This is not because of lack of interest in doing so, but mostly because there is a reluctance and a fear of dogmatism.

Teachers and parents play a crucial role in helping young people to develop the foundational digital skills and social practices that enable them to become critical readers, writers, and participants in a complex world where digital technologies shape how we think, understand and interact. Here are three strategies that teachers and parents can use to support digital literacies learning.

Reconciling multidisciplinary learning and the integration of digital productions in partnership with pre-service teachers, is what sixth-grade elementary school teacher Jean-François Mercure and Professor Séverine Parent accomplished during the winter of 2022.

Technology, in its many forms, has been present in the classroom since the introduction of the blackboard, followed decades later by the overhead projector. Now, in our digital age, classroom environments can always be connected to the Internet, and educators need to make choices about both hardware and software.

Reading fluently is being able to accurately identify written words with precision, without using too many cognitive resources, and by understanding the tone in a manner to build a solid comprehension of the text. Reading fluently is one of the key dimensions of learning to read with success.

Digital technology is ubiquitous. We have been increasingly reliant on smartphones, tablets and computers over the past 20 years, and this trend has been accelerating due to the pandemic. Conventional wisdom tells us that over-reliance on technology may take away from our ability to remember, pay attention and exercise self-control. Indeed, these are important cognitive skills. However, fears that technology would supplant cognition may not be well founded.

While there are many frameworks to choose from when it comes to the effective integration of technology, the SAMR Model is typically the one that most people and schools leverage. It emphasizes on what NOT to do with tech. Another interesting model to know is the Rigor Relevance Framework, developed by the International Center for Leadership in Education. It puts an emphasis on what the learner is doing. While there isn’t a seamless alignment, Eric Sheninger attempted to connect them both.

Education systems around the world are encouraging their schools to develop maker programs to enhance learning and skill development that prepares students for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Through maker education, students develop a plethora of skills and STEAM concepts. Ensuring that maker experiences live up to their potential can be difficult, however, as assessing student learning through maker projects and getting all stakeholders in education at the local and regional level on board can be challenging. In our study, we spoke to more than 30 experts in making and education.

In the État des lieux de l’enseignement du français (ELEF) survey, Lord and Chartrand (2010) reported that only 14% of teachers get students to use word processors for their writing often or very often, “more so to compile texts than to correct them”. Although ELEF data is revealing, it describes a situation that prevailed more than a decade ago. Have digital writing practices changed since then, particularly in the wake of the Plan d’action numérique (MEES, 2018)?

Integrating technological tools into a teaching approach is relevant when achieved in appropriate conditions. Here are some avenues that can serve as a basis to analyze their benefits and limits.

Teams. Zoom. Hybrid teaching. Asynchronous educational activities. Before March 12, 2020, these words were not part of the daily lives of the majority of elementary and secondary teachers, but COVID-19 has helped to make them of interest. The emergency shift to digital technologies disrupted the school’s activities; however, it also provided an unprecedented opportunity to promote their use in teaching and learning.

It is not uncommon to sense some hesitation when we mention that it is possible to integrate digital technology into Language Arts or English as a second language. Various online resources can be allies in the English class. It is important to remember that it is the pedagogical intention that guides the choice of tools, not the opposite. Regardless of the level of students or tools available, technology can be a great addition to teaching strategies.

The nature of the tasks presented to students has an impact on the way in which they will perceive mathematics. Can technology have a role to play? Absolutely! Mostly, it is about having a clear intention. Let’s take a closer look.

Technology can be powerful and can be used to do great things … and some not-so-great things. I am very aware that there are issues that can come up with technology usage and that we need to educate ourselves and our students. I can’t help but be in awe of what we can accomplish with it. That’s why, in my articles, I’d like to introduce you to tools, resources and technology initiatives that have a positive impact!

Discover or re-discover various apps and sites ideas!

Technology tools are destined to stay in classrooms for the foreseeable future. This is why it is important to continue to understand their strengths, their potential, and their weaknesses, which is far from easy given the variety of applications and the experiences of the people involved.

Additional References from EngagED Learning magazine, Volume 2 issue 1 (Fall 2022)