URI digital literacy graduate certificate program recognized

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The U.S. Department of Education has recognized the University of Rhode Island’s digital literacy graduate certificate program as a model in teacher education.
U.S. DOE’s Office of Educational Technology singled out the program created by URI professors in the 2016 National Education Technology Plan. The plan calls on educators to ensure fair access to learning through technology and urges schools to redesign teacher preparation programs by using technology throughout teacher preparation.
“By targeting a broad audience to participate in the program, URI is expanding the number of educators with the professional capacity to help students learn, access, analyze, create, reflect and take action using digital tools, texts and technologies in all aspects of their lives,” the report said.
URI professors Julie Coiro and Renee Hobbs launched the graduate certificate in digital literacy in 2014. The program is co-sponsored by URI’s School of Education and the Media Education Lab at the Harrington School of Communication and Media. The program supports regional and national leaders in digital literacy education.
“We are thrilled to be recognized in the 2016 NET Plan,” said Coiro, co-director of the URI program and associate professor at the School of Education. “Today, all teachers need a solid understanding of how to use technology to support learning and literacy. Effective use of technology is not an optional add-on or a skill that we simply can expect teachers to pick up on their own.”
According to URI, since 2012, its Summer Institute in Digital Literacy has reached 400 educators from 25 states and 15 countries. In the latest version of the program, participants learn to use new digital tools that include Storify, FlipGrid, Symbaloo, Padlet, Wikispaces, WordPress and Evernote.
The fourth annual program will be at URI’s Feinstein Campus, 80 Washington St., Providence, from July 24 through July 29. Using a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Studies, Rhode Island librarians participating in the Media Smart Libraries program will receive scholarships to attend.

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