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5th Annual Summer Institute in Digital Literacy

5th Annual Summer Institute in Digital Literacy

From the University of Rhode Island's Department of External Relations and Communication:

Registration for the 2017 Summer Institute in Digital Literacy is closed. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact Carolyn Fortuna c4tuna31@gmail.com

KINGSTON, R.I., July 10, 2017—More than 150 teachers, college professors and librarians will gather at the University of Rhode Island’s Providence campus to hone their digital literacy skills at the fifth annual Summer Institute in Digital Literacy.

In addition to workshops, the program from July 23 ­through 28 at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, 80 Washington St., Providence, will feature a keynote address by leading news literacy expert and journalist Dan Gillmor.

Gillmor’s address will explore strategies for teaching and learning about so-called “fake news,” as well as other forms of propaganda and media manipulation. “There’s never been a more important time for educators and librarians to learn how to improve people’s digital and media literacy skills,” he said.

The Institute supports the lifelong learning needs of educators through a 42-hour intensive learning and professional development experience. The program was recognized in the 2017 National Education Technology Plan, published by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology.

“In this program, educators and librarians work collaboratively to engage in project-based inquiry and curriculum design to integrate digital literacy into existing academic programs,” said Julie Coiro, associate professor of education and co-director of the Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy, a 12-credit program that includes both in-person and online courses.

During the week, participants explore a variety of digital media tools for learning, including web, video, social media and multimedia production. In the program, participants choose from among more than 40 workshops to learn free or low-cost digital tools including Storify, FlipGrid, Padlet, WordPress, Evernote and more.

“By applying knowledge and skills in using digital texts, tools and technologies, participants advance their digital literacy through practical hands-on creative activity,” said Renee Hobbs, professor of communication studies at the Harrington School of Communication and Media and co-director of the literacy program.

Participants also discuss and reflect on broader issues, including how literacy is changing as a result of media and technology and how media manipulation may affect the democratic process. Registration is available at https://mediaeducationlab.com/2017-summer-institute-digital-literacy.

Participating faculty include Troy Hicks of Central Michigan University; Jill Castek of Portland State University; Kara Clayton of Lee M. Thurston High School in Redford Charter Township in Michigan; Jill Castek of the University of Arizona; Charlie Coiro of the Coast Guard Leadership Academy; William Yang of Edgewood School, Scarsdale, N.Y.; Rhys Daunic of The Media Spot in New York City; Yonty Friesem of Central Connecticut State University; Kristin Hokanson of Inquiry Schools in Pennsylvania; Emily Bailin Wells of Teachers College, Columbia University; Amanda Murphy of Westerly High School; Stephanie Branson of the University of South Florida; and Maria Ranieri of the University of Florence, Italy.