Teaching Tech-Savvy Kids: Bringing Digital Media Into the Classroom, Grades 5-12

"Until we understand the powerful learning, collaborating, and producing that teenagers do with their cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, and the Internet, we won′t understand how we can best utilize those technologies in our classrooms. Whether you′re a digital native new to the classroom or a veteran teacher struggling to learn your students′ Internet lingo, this book is your guide to 21st-century teenagers, literacy, and learning. After 17 years teaching middle school English, I know that I can′t teach literacy today without this book." —Laura Maslin Bradley, English Teacher Kenilworth Junior High School, Petaluma, CA Students are plugged in, powered up, and connected. Are you? Digital media presents powerful tools for engaging students in developing critical thinking, collaboration, and other 21st-century skills. Written for middle and high school teachers, this resource explores the relationship between students and digital media and shows how to design learning opportunities that harness today′s technology. Jessica K. Parker gives teachers a deeper understanding of the dynamic potential for increasing student learning through new technologies. Based on a three-year study of youth and their use of digital media, this teacher-friendly book includes: Descriptions of digital tools such as social networking platforms, YouTube, Wikipedia, virtual worlds, digital music, and more Vignettes about how young people use digital media Sidebars debunking common myths about technology Advice for both novice and expert teachers Pedagogical implications and practices, including sample activities Teaching Tech-Savvy Kids shows how to integrate digital media into your classroom and create more engaged, student-centered learning opportunities.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Glynda Hull Preface Acknowledgments About the Author About the Contributors 1. Understanding Youth and New Media - Jessica K. Parker 2. Hanging Out With Friends: MySpace, Facebook, and Other Networked Publics - danah boyd and Jessica K. Parker 3. YouTube: Creating, Connecting, and Learning Through Video - Patricia G. Lange and Jessica K. Parker 4. Wikipedia: The Online Encyclopedia Based on Collaborative Knowledge - Jessica K. Parker 5. Role-Playing: Writing and Performing Beyond the Classroom - Becky Herr-Stephenson and Jessica K. Parker 6. Virtual Worlds: Designing, Playing and Learning - Jessica K. Parker and Maryanne Berry 7. Remix Culture: Digital Music and Video Remix, Opportunities for Creative Production - Erin B. Reilly 8. Conclusion - Jessica K. Parker Glossary Index

About the Author :
Jessica K. Parker is currently an assistant professor at Sonoma State University, and she studies how high schools integrate multimedia literacy into academic literacy learning. She has taught middle school, high school and college students for over a decade and has also created and taught professional development courses for teachers. She has published teacher-researcher articles in English Journal, and has presented at national conventions such as AERA, National Media Education Conference, NCTE Assembly for Research, and many others. Jessica completed her undergraduate and graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley; she has a B.A. in Media Studies and a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Education.

Review :
"Until we understand the powerful learning, collaborating, and producing that teenagers do with their cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, and the Internet, we won’t understand how we can best utilize those technologies in our classrooms. Whether you’re a digital native new to the classroom or a veteran teacher struggling to learn your students’ Internet lingo, this book is your guide to 21st-century teenagers, literacy, and learning. After 17 years teaching middle school English, I know that I can’t teach literacy today without this book." "A concise, well-written book, perfect for teachers who are unfamiliar with the technology their students use and how to apply it in their classrooms in a meaningful way."