User:Vtaylor/Learning literacies/Getting Started

Learning Literacies
Activities include digital literacy - research, communication, presentation, discussion; learning literacies - self-directed learning, inquiry-based learning, collaboration; and reinforcing basic skills - reading, writing, math.


 * develop skills for using technology, study skills and learning practices to be successful lifelong learners and digital citizens.


 * work on the activities in any order.
 * Discussion are all text so you can post and reply anytime
 * If you have questions or suggestions, please let me know. This program is all about you - helping you to be a successful learner academically and lifelong.


 * Contact me if you have questions. Look forward to working with you.

Have a great trip through the learning activities.

Enjoy!

Overview
Learning to learn is just as important as taking courses in specific subjects like English and Chemistry. This Learning Literacies course will help you develop the skills and practices you need to be a successful student using the technologies available to students and lifelong learners. Topics include
 * study skills - learning styles, media preference
 * educational technologies - search, presentation
 * personal organization - time management, motivation
 * lifelong learning practices - self-directed learning
 * digital citizenship - privacy, copyright

Academic Success
To be successful in a formal education setting, students are required to show that they understand the subject of a course and can use the information to answer broader questions about the subject. There are some basic ways to learn the information and show what you have learned. These are often called "study skills". These include:
 * organization - deadlines, calendar, due dates, consequences
 * sense-making, understanding, applying
 * practice
 * analysis and demonstration - essay, report, presentation
 * test preparation, test-taking

When you have completed all the activities you will have practiced all of the six digital literacy skills - Use, Find, Protect, Solve, Make, Share.


 * “I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.” ~ Larry King

Discussions
Everyone participates in all discussions. The online discussions are written - a series of connected text messages that everyone in the class can read and reply to. Discussions take place over several days. Everyone gets a chance to participate. This is a big difference from classroom discussions where time is limited and only a few people contribute. Everyone has an opportunity to provide feedback or continue the discussion if it is interesting. Discussion participation is an important part of learning online so the discussions are graded. Each discussion activity description provides specific information about the type of discussion and how you are to participate.

For each of the Learning Literaties, there are several activities. These include research, discussions, quizzes and hands-on technology activities. You can complete these in any order at your own pace.

Personal Learning Portfolio
You will access informational web sites and use online tools. Many will be new to you - we want you to experience lots of technologies and use a broad range of online resources. Some will be more helpful than others. As you find things that work for you, keep track of them. This is the basis for your Personal Learning Portfolio - your personal set of tools and resources that you can use for other courses and learning. We will also look at some online communities - online places where you can find people with similar interests to get information and exchange ideas.

Learning outcomes

 * understand the Learning Literacies course structure and participation requirements
 * explore the use of technologies for learning
 * use online discussions to share individual work and ideas, and comment on the work of other students
 * reinforce basic study skills required for academic success
 * use online resources as additional sources of information
 * guided practice

Keywords
 * literacies, lifelong learning, academic success

There are lots or links to web resources that provide information and guidance. Make a note of the ones that are most helpful to you. Visit them often as you progress.

There is lots to learn. Try to learn something new everyday.