Digital Literacy and the Common Core

As states prepare for implementation of the Common Core standards the focus is appropriately on the knowledge and skills students will need for success on the assessments. The Common Core changes instruction. But an often overlooked need is to assure that students have the digital literacy skills they'll need to navigate the assessments. Students will need to complement their analytical and evaluative skills with operational skills like keyboarding and use of spreadsheets.

But it's not as simple as teaching keyboarding and use of spreadsheets. Students will need more advanced skills like creating and analyzing charts and graphs, using tools to communicate and present information, and using online tools to conduct research.

The challenge is that students often have more knowledge, and greater comfort, in the digital environment that their teachers. They are often more familiar with the digital tools that can be used for these tasks. But it would be foolish to assume that every student has those skills and is comfortable with their use.

We'd enjoy hearing from you about how you, and your school, are preparing students to be successful in this new digital environment.