Show Middle Schoolers How Digital Literacy Can Lead to Social Change With Global Problem Solvers
In this lesson, we explored the Global Problem Solvers tool, created by Cisco, which empowers students to use digital literacy and critical thinking to address real-world challenges through social entrepreneurship. By engaging with animated characters and utilizing design thinking, students learn to brainstorm and implement solutions to community issues, while also gaining inspiration from real social entrepreneurs. The platform is free and accessible, making it a valuable resource for educators and students alike to foster social change.
Teen Voices: Presenting Yourself Online
The lesson “Teen Voices: Presenting Yourself Online” emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the age of social media, where the pressure to present a perfect image can be overwhelming. It highlights the contrast between the curated online personas many teenagers feel compelled to create and their true selves, encouraging a balance between self-expression and reality. Ultimately, the lesson advocates for embracing imperfections and being genuine, both online and offline, to foster a healthier self-image.
Digital Bytes: Entrepreneurship
The lesson “Digital Bytes: Entrepreneurship” highlights the power of ideas as catalysts for innovation and change, showcasing inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs who transformed their concepts into successful ventures. Examples include Nick D’Aloisio, who sold his app Summly to Yahoo! for $30 million, and Caine, who created a popular arcade that attracted thousands of visitors. The lesson emphasizes that age is no barrier to entrepreneurship, encouraging individuals to pursue their passions and ideas boldly.
Scratch Teacher Tour
The lesson introduces Scratch, a free coding platform developed by MIT that allows kids to learn programming through creative projects. It emphasizes the platform’s user-friendly features, such as the ability to create interactive animations using visual coding blocks, and highlights the supportive Scratch community where users can share and remix projects. Additionally, it offers resources for teachers to effectively integrate Scratch into their curriculum, making it a valuable tool for both students and educators.
10 Great Movies for the STEM Classroom
The lesson highlights ten engaging films that can enhance learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classrooms. Each movie, from “The Lego Movie” to “The Imitation Game,” showcases the importance of STEM skills through entertaining narratives and real-world applications, inspiring students to appreciate the role of creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving in these fields. These films serve as valuable educational tools, encouraging students to explore STEM concepts in a fun and relatable way.
Next Gen Personal Finance: A Sprawling, Standout Financial Literacy Site
Next-Gen Personal Finance is an engaging website designed to teach students essential financial literacy skills, offering a variety of resources suitable for middle and high school learners. The platform features interactive tools, games, and a comprehensive curriculum that covers various financial topics, ensuring students are well-prepared for real-world money management. With weekly updates and additional resources available in Spanish, it emphasizes the importance of financial education in today’s economy.
NY Town Hall Teen Panel: Online Life
The lesson on “Online Life” explores the complexities of social media and its impact on personal relationships and self-perception. It highlights the difference between online interactions and real-life friendships, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over virtual ones. Additionally, the lesson discusses how social media shapes family dynamics and the role it plays in daily life, while also acknowledging its benefits as a communication tool.
Khan Academy’s Video-Based Instruction
The lesson explores the impact of Khan Academy’s video-based instruction on classroom learning, as presented by educators Sunny Park and Peter McIntosh during a Common Sense Media event. Both teachers share their experiences of integrating Khan Academy into their curricula, highlighting its effectiveness in differentiating instruction, enhancing student engagement, and fostering a student-centered learning environment. The session emphasizes the importance of digital learning tools in transforming education and encourages educators to explore innovative resources.
How Does Cyberbullying Affect Students?
The lesson on cyberbullying highlights its prevalence among young people and the rapid spread of harmful messages online. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of our words and actions, using real-life examples to illustrate how a single negative comment can damage friendships and create a hostile environment, even in online gaming. To combat cyberbullying, the lesson encourages kindness, respect, and responsible online behavior, urging students to think before they post and to seek help from trusted adults if they witness bullying.
Pixton: A Comics Tool for All Your Storytelling Needs
In this lesson, we explored Pixton, a versatile comic-making platform that allows users to create engaging stories while enhancing their artistic and literacy skills. The tool offers features like customizable avatars, a variety of scenes and characters, and educational prompts to guide the comic creation process. With lesson ideas and assessment resources, Pixton serves as an effective educational tool for both teachers and students, making learning enjoyable and interactive.