CM600: Media Literacy, Digital Culture, and Web 2.0 Environments

INSTRUCTOR:

Prof. Belinha S. De Abreu, Ph.D.

Email: macomm@sacredheart.edu

REQUIRED TEXTS:

De Abreu, B. (2011). Media Literacy, Social Networking, and the Web 2.0 Environment for the K-12 Educator. Peter Lang Publishers.

You will also receive and be expected to find a number of different articles which will be used for discussion. This course is current and topical which means that as technology is evolving so will our readings.

COURSE FOCUS:

This course is designed as an experiential learning experience using many of the technological Web 2.0 platforms that exist today. Today’s classroom teachers are asked to provide instruction beyond just the written word. Literacy no longer applies to just print, but extends to technology, information, media and visual literacy. In delving into various technological platforms teachers will be able to examine their current curriculum and employ various tools to make their classrooms more in line with today’s learner. This course will cover a series of Web 2.0 tools: Wikis, Animoto, Voicethread, and much more.

This course is provided for classroom teachers, library media specialists, health professionals, and administrators who are interested in learning about the new technology tools available to them for the purpose of implementation. Class time will consist of some preliminary lectures, class discussions, and hands-on work that will illustrates technology as an important vehicle for learning for this generation of students.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Students will demonstrate:

• Mastery of basic terminologies, concepts, and theories related to information and technology.
• Knowledge of technologies introductory knowledge of computer hardware, software, telecommunication, networks, and digital formats.
• Comprehension of advanced techniques, skills and knowledge necessary for using and searching the Web.
• Application of skills and knowledge necessary for the development of a Web page.
• Proficiency in using various online and open source programs.

PREREQUISITES & REQUIREMENTS:

The prerequisite for this course is a basic undergraduate or graduate-level computer literacy course, such as CS101. Alternatively, students with extensive experience working with information technologies may elect to waive this prerequisite.

We assume that all students admitted to this course will have:

(1) An understanding of the concepts underlying computer-based technologies.

(2) Familiarity with the associated vocabulary.

(3) Ability to use a computer in a work setting.

(4) Ability to navigate the WWW, use URLs and the like.