The Importance of Digital Literacy: Preparing Students for Learning and Life

We are surrounded by technology in more ways than ever before. Students growing up today are considered “digital natives,” meaning they have experienced life with a vast array of technology and digital media at their fingertips. While this reality presents exciting educational opportunities, it can also be overwhelming for many teachers who are not as comfortable with the numerous apps, games, and digital platforms in use today.

As educators, our challenge is to use technology effectively for teaching and learning. According to Mike Ribble, Digital Citizenship in Schools, “Just as you teach your students the rules of society, it is imperative that you teach them the rules of the digital world, and how to be safe and responsible with technology.”

If you are unclear or want more information on what Digital Citizenship is all about, check out this video from one of Pepper's partners, Common Sense Education: Digital Citizenship Video.

To help educators teach their students how to use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly, Common Sense Education and Public Consulting Group (PCG) have partnered to offer digital citizenship courses through Pepper, PCG's online professional learning platform. These courses (tailored for elementary, middle, high school, and for school leaders) will build teachers' understanding of eight core digital citizenship topics, provide a guided, interactive experience with our high-quality instructional materials, and provide access to Pepper's robust online community of educators. Courses for middle and high school educators are currently available; the course for elementary educators is scheduled for release soon.

Course Features

• Designed to address internet safety, appropriate online behavior, and cyberbullying topics that E-rate recipients are required to teach to students
• Pepper's professional learning platform built on powerful technology developed by Harvard University and MIT
• Flexibility to work through the self-paced course independently or in small groups to promote an authentic, personalized learning experience
• Opportunity to collaborate with peers, access resources, and share best practices through Pepper's online community
• Learning activities provide foundational knowledge for teachers to become Common Sense Certified Educators in digital citizenship

Continuing education credits are available.

Courses Currently Available

• Digital Citizenship: Preparing Students for Learning and Life (Middle School Educators)
• Digital Citizenship: Preparing Students for Learning and Life (High School Educators)

Coming Soon

• Digital Citizenship: Preparing Students for Learning and Life (Elementary Educators)

You can find more information about Digital Citizenship on the Common Sense Education website, by visiting the Digital Citizenship tab from their main page, or by clicking here. You can learn more about these courses and others available from Pepper on their Courses and Workshops page. 

Gearing Up for Summer Break

Another school year is coming to a close - for some it’s the first, for some it’s the last. No matter how many school years you have achieved, we hope your school year was excellent. Pepper’s The Big Idea blog is taking the summer off. But, like many of you, “summer vacation” is more of a time for planning, preparing, and re-fueling. We will be back in the Fall with new ideas and encouragement for a new school year. Your Pepper team will be working over the summer to bring you new Courses and Workshops.
So, as you plan your summer, take some time for yourself and your family, sleep in, take a trip, indulge in a hobby, lay by the pool - or ocean or lake or river, or do nothing at all. But, just in case you have reading on your list of summer “to-do’s”, Education Closet provides a Summer Reading List for Teachers. The list of 40 books are divided into the following topics:

MINDSETS   |  CLASSROOM DESIGN  |  TEACHING RESOURCES & IDEAS  |  CLASSROOM LIBRARY  | JUST FOR FUN

No matter what your ideal summer looks likes - travel, rest, work, play, or even professional development - we hope you enjoy and come back rested and refreshed.

See you in the Fall!

Making it Through

We’re in the final stretch to summer vacation. The last weeks can be exhausting and seem to go on forever. The challenge for teachers can be pacing themselves to sustain their energy and creativity. Edutopia author, Nicholas Provenzano, provides some great tips for making it through. His recent article, Stop, Drop, and Roll With It: Teacher Burnout Prevention, gives some suggestions for approaching the end of the year:

• Hobby Time - Find a hobby or something to do that has nothing to do with education. It can be therapeutic to spend time doing things that you enjoy completely away from school.
• Find a Teammate - A friend who understands your struggle can be a true lifesaver. It’s even better if this person is an educator. Finding a confident who’s also an educator can provide empathy that others cannot.
• Write it Out - Journaling is a great way to manage stress. Thinking about the things that are weighing on you often makes them seem worse. However, writing them down is often compared to talking to a close friend. It can give a different perspective and can help alleviate stress.
• Laugh - We’ve all heard “laughter is the best medicine.” And, for teachers making it through the final weeks of school, laughter can really help. Watch a funny movie, read a humorous book, or surround yourself with witty people, but try to find some ways to get some laughs during this time.

Teaching is one of the most challenging professions out there and teachers are notorious for giving of themselves, their time, and their energy. Whatever it takes, hang in there. Summer is just around the corner.

Pepper hopes that you’ll spend some time with us this summer in the form of Professional Development Courses and Workshops. Pepper provides a wide range of courses for teachers that allow for growth and learning opportunities. As a member of the Pepper community you also have access to Pepper's online learning community where you can meet others who are teaching and engaging in schools across the country. We hope to “see” you this summer!