New Medias and New Literacies

  As a middle school technology teacher, I’m always on the lookout for tools that make learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. That’s why I was really excited to find the Programmable Rover Gizmo from ExploreLearning. This simulation lets students take on the role of a rover programmer on Mars, guiding a virtual robot to complete missions using code. It’s a hands-on, game-like experience that builds real coding skills while also sparking curiosity and creativity. I feel like my students would get excited about debugging their rover’s path or experimenting with loops, and it would be a great way to get my students engaged. I find this simulation to be a creative way to introduce coding, logic, and systems thinking, skills that are becoming more important every day in our tech-driven world.The simulation challenges students to direct a rover using commands like move forward, turn, loop, and collect samples. As they progress, students can move from simple drag-and-...

Teaching middle school technology means being in the middle of constant online motion, between tabs, tools, and teenage curiosity. My students aren’t just using devices, they’re growing up in digital spaces where every click, comment, and upload shapes how they connect, learn, and express themselves. My role goes beyond teaching how to use tech, it's about helping them navigate it thoughtfully and responsibly. Two platforms that we use all the time are Google Classroom and Remind. One keeps our lessons and assignments organized, the other helps us stay in touch when life gets busy. These tools are more than just helpful, they make my classroom run smoother. Google Classroom is a free, learning management system developed by Google for educational settings. Kaukab and Nayab (2018) writes, “Google Classroom can be used as a blended learning tool to elevate classroom productivity” It allows teachers to create, distribute, and grade assignments in a fully digital environment. It connec...

For my final project, I plan to explore Personal Digital Inquiry (PDI) and how it can support my 6th and 7th-grade students in developing digital literacy and research skills. In many classrooms, students are assigned specific research topics; however, PDI allows students to follow their own interests and questions while using digital tools to explore, evaluate, and create knowledge. I love seeing that spark in my students, the moment when learning shifts from an assignment to something personal and exciting. PDI gives them the freedom to chase that spark while developing essential digital literacy skills. I’m drawn to this topic because I see how motivated my students become when they can investigate topics they care about. At the same time, they need structured guidance on how to find credible sources, evaluate information, and create thoughtful digital products. Personal Digital Inquiry allows me to combine student choice with the essential skills of new literacies, including online...