Digital Literacy Class: We are going to learn about so many incredible ways to be creative, collaborative, and to communicate. We will focus on computer skills and applications. Some topics you already know about, and you will know better, and other topics and applications will be new to you! Either way, we will work together to find the ones you are able to use best. This class consists of Project-Based-Learning. You will be given plenty of time to learn the skills and applications that you will use for a lifetime. I hope you enjoy the material we will cover. - Mr. S
Atomic Learning strives to bring you the most up-to-date training resources on the hottest topics.
It is a library of thousands of short, easy-to-understand, "atoms" of software tutorials and technology skill training in video format designed to help you learn to use hundreds of different programs. These online training resources are:
Available 24/7
Open to ALL UMB students, staff, and faculty.
Answers to many of the "how do I do that" questions
Expansive and include many programs, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Windows and Apple operating systems, and many more!
Easy to access - just log in with your full UMB email address and password.
Easy to search using keywords, specific applications, versions, and/or platforms.
Easy to share - Faculty can share direct links in Blackboard to support necessary software or technical skills.
The training tutorials support:
Just-in-time Tech Skills Training on more than 205 common software applications
Workshops that cover APA, and MLA Research Paper Basics, Web 2.0, podcasting, and much more
Projects that illustrate how to use and apply technology
“How-to” Self-Assessment to review your technology skill level
Video Storytelling Guide to plan and create quality movies
Instructor tools to quickly and easily integrate resources into any document or Web page
A digital badge is an online representation of a skill you have earned. They can be used in e-learning environments to certify accomplishments, track growth, increase motivation among students, among other things.
These badges take the form of a digital emblem/image that can be collected by students and viewed by both students and instructors (and potentially even by the public). It works much like the Boy Scout badge system, only it's digital.
(A video from the MacArthur Foundation on digital badges)
Benefits and Use of Digital Badges
Motivation
Studies have shown that by highlighting and commending achievement, digital badges increase student motivation, therefore, their participation and engagement with the material. Not only do badges serve as reward for exceptional performance, but also act as record for challenges a student has overcome.
Metadata
Digital badges carry metadata that indicate where, when, and how a badge was earned. Additional information attached to the digital badge might include the credentials of the issuer, among other verifying details. This metadata travels with the badge so that a viewer can see the whole story of the badge holder's growth.
Shareability
With Mozilla's Open Badges initiative, the sharing of badges has become very fluid. It is easy to share your digital badges on social media or through other technological pathways. This flexibility across platforms encourages communication and more active participation. It makes it easy for students to show publicly how they are progressing in their learning.
Profile Building
Many companies and educational institutions have begun to recognize digital badges as a valid form of credentials. Digital badges are quickly becoming more acceptable as a way demonstrating the value of your skill-set to potential employers or higher ed institutions. With digital badges, students can display their specialization and commendations to the public in a manner that has potential for tangible rewards.
Badges in Blackboard
Blackboard has Mozilla Open Badges integrated into the Achievements tool. This enables instructors to issue digital badges in Blackboard courses.
Badges in a Blackboard course are tied with the graded learning activities; a grade center column must exist for a learning activity prior to setting up a badge.
Building a Badge in a Blackboard Course
In a content area:
Build graded learning activity, and/or
Build activity with review status
In Achievements tool:
Select badge type
Set rule for criteria for score/grade or review status
A digital badge earned in a Blackboard course may be published to a Mozilla Backpack (if the instructor has enabled this feature). This transports the evidence of the student’s learning and achievement to a space outside Blackboard Learn. From the Mozilla Backpack, students can publish and share their digital badges on social media and elsewhere.
Students will need to create a free account with Mozilla Backpack with their UMB email address to be able to publish the badge. Have them follow the instructions below to create an account and publish a badge.
Create Account with Mozilla Backpack (for students)
Please note: The email address associated with a Mozilla Backpack must match the email address associated with the Blackboard account with which a user earns badges.
Type in your UMB email address in the provided screen and follow the steps to create an account.
Publish Badge
For best results, log in to your Mozilla Backpack in a separate tab in the same browser before starting publishing.
Earn a badge in a Blackboard course
Go to My Achievements or My Badges area on the Course Menu
Locate the earned badge and click Publish to Mozilla (screenshot below)
Follow the prompts to authenticate with your Mozilla Backpack account until you receive a confirmation that your badge was published.
Share Badge Collection on the web.
Share Badge
Badges collected in a Mozilla Backpack can be easily shared in social media platforms in a number of ways. Here are some ideas: http://openbadges.org/display/
Here is an example of a Mozilla Backpack that was shared on Twitter (click the link in the post to view Backpack).
Request an appointment with an Instructional Designer to get help with building badges in your Blackboard course: elearning@umb.edu
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Learning To Code (Part 2) - Computer Science Education Week
Here it is! So close to the holiday season, and we are now in the middle of Computer Science Education Week. Please visit csedweek.org, code.org, and hourofcode.com to find a wide array of projects for you to complete in class, and at home. Make sure you are spending some time at home showing your parents (and other family members) how cool is is to learn how to be a programmer!
There is a wealth of information about careers, opportunities, and other ways to learn to code! Use the information found at code.org/promote to help learn about what your states are doing to increase learning opportunities for students who want to learn about computer science.
Want to Work For Google Someday?
Watch The Video Below To Get Started!
Once you have looked at some of the resources above, and we have discussed them as a class, you have a choice to work on the following items for credit this week:
Project 1: Try the Celebrity Challenge: Go to code.org/challenge and create an app, game, or design with Code.org and tag #HourOfCode and one of our special guests for a chance to win a video chat for your classroom! SHARE a link to your project with Mr. S (hscribner@ccs.us) for credit.
Project 2: Go to the KANO, Anyone Can Make website and complete the Street Artist Hour of Code tutorial. You must SHARE your project by creating an account, and emailing a link to your project to Mr. S (hscribner@ccs.us) for credit.
Project 3: Use your creativity and imagination to bring the Google logo to life using code. Make the letters dance, tell a story or create a game. With Scratch and CS First, anyone can become a designer and programmer for the day! Go to the GOOGLE LOGO Link to get started. You must take a screen shot (or video if necessary) of your Google Logo Design and email it to Mr. S (hscribner@ccs.us) for credit. CLASS LINK FOR CSA 18-19 S1 (Click Here)
Project 4: Choose any other tutorial found on hourofcode.com, get a project pre-approved by Mr. S, and Share it for credit! You can also use freecodecamp.org or w3schools.com, or any other online tutorial that you show Mr. S prior to starting. Make sure your content is appropriate for school! You get extra credit for sharing a new source, tutorial, or application I have not seen yet!
Project 5: CodeCombat - You can log into CodeCombat (Click Name) and learn to code using Python, Javascript, or Coffeescript. Check it out, and SHARE your progress with the class!
COOL NEW SPECIAL PROJECT: MICRO-BIT Build a Virtual Pet using code!
When posting your work to Padlet (see link above), you need to include your initials, the Class and Period you are in the Tech. Lab, a brief description, the link to your project, and a picture of some kind. See my example, or ask if you have additional questions. You should also email Mr. Scribner (hscribner@ccs.us) the link to your active projects. Have Fun With This Project!
Have a great week and ENJOY this time learning to code in our class!
