Get started for freeProfessor GarfieldThe Professor Garfield website is a free and open digital literacy curriculum created at Ball State University’s Center for Emerging Media Design & Development in collaboration with the University’s nationally recognized Teachers College. The site is designed to support K-5 teachers as they help students master digital literacy skills. This project is based onthe idea that successful learners and workers in a digital world must master the functional, cognitive, and creative activities at the center of technology and practice.
A digitally literate student must master a broad range of skills to apply to digital tools. Digital literacy includes the eight components listed below,as well as concepts related to digital citizenship, media literacy, and more.
Also, digital literacy instruction should not be reserved for a single class or delayed until middle or high school. Rather, these skills and concepts must be integrated into core curriculum as early as kindergarten, and kids should be given the support and opportunity to grow as digitally literate learners throughout their education.
This website focuses on eight important digital literacy concepts:
How to use technology like computers, tablets, smartphones, cameras
How to think critically about technology and its use
How to communicate effectively online
How to be creativeonline and when using digital devices
How to *find accurate information* online
How to be safewhen using technology and the Internet
How to collaborate effectively in digital spaces
Understand of the role of technology in our world and in our lives
This site is designed as a full-scale curricular model. It provides K-5 teachers with:
This site provides kids with fun activities that teach digital literacy skills and core subjects together. It provides K-5 learners with:
In this exercise, students build their speaking, language and storytelling skills while learning to record audio using a smart device. Students can earn digital literacy badges for functional meaning making, creativity, and effective communication.
For this exercise students practice their reading, language and rhyming skills while learning how to make and edit photos using a smart device. Students can earn badges for functional meaning making and creativity. Teachers can customize this exercise to include their own vocabulary or spelling words.
This exercise requires students to research and create avideo about a specific topic while learning to effectively research a topic, write a script, and edit video using an online resource.
Students may earn digital literacy badges for Creativity, Finding and Selecting Information, and Using Technology.