CHAPTER 14:

DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Developing the Curriculum

Eighth Edition

Peter F. Oliva
William R. Gordon II
 AFTER STUDYING THIS CHAPTER YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Define literacies and state their impact on the education
environment.
Define online learning and state the components of
successful online learning environments.
Define blended learning and state the components of
successful blended learning programs.
Explain how computer-based assessments differentiate
instruction and will be used to assess the Common Core
State Standards.
Elucidate in what ways open education resources can
enhance the educational environment.
Describe aspects and resources of safe Internet use.
Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-2
2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 CHANGING WORLD

All of us have experienced how technology has

influenced our lives in recent years.

Consider the cell phone:

Fifteen short years ago large cellular phones in a
bag were in vogue and only owned by a few elite
people.
Now, due to micro-technology, cell phones are
hand-held electronic gateways to the world,
available for people from all walks of life.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-3

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 GLOBAL COMPETITION

As our world continues to shrink and global

competiveness dominates the workplace,
curriculum planners need to consider the changing
environment that technology creates.

With competition comes opportunity. Schools will

have to make the most out of their limited
resources to provide strong educational
opportunities that include the use of new
technologies in classrooms.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-4

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 LITERACIES

The workplace is changing and so is the classroom.

Using the same digital tools as businesses, teachers
are reaching out to students in nontraditional ways.

Teacher and student use of websites, social media,

blogs, email and other means of electronic
communication are becoming the norm in todays
classrooms.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-5

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 LITERACIES

In defining new literacies the content delivered

online is very different from what is presented in
print.

Due to the multiple means of accessing information

via the Internet, todays students need to be
critical consumers of information and must be able
to scrutinize the content and make appropriate
decisions about the worth of the material they
are reading.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-6

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 CURRENT TRENDS

Emerging technologies such as online classes,

blended learning, and mobile learning are a few
ways in which teachers and administrators can
meet the vision of the 21st century classroom.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-7

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 ONLINE LEARNING

Online learning, classes or learning opportunities

offered via the Internet, broaden access to curriculum
and learning for a variety of stakeholders.

The instructors role in the online environment is in

many ways similar to the traditional classroom
teacher. As with any classroom, providing support
and building relationships with the student are critical
aspects for student success.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-8

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 ONLINE LEARNING

Consideration should be given by institutions as to

what curriculum offerings will be provided. The
technical abilities of the instructor and of students
should be well thought-out.

The curriculum matters because it is the main

vehicle that creates student engagement and is at
the core of student learning.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-9

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 BLENDED LEARNING

The practice of combining online instruction with

traditional classroom instruction (Blended
Learning) is increasing in school districts across the
country.

Blended learning increases flexibility of access to

the curriculum but challenges exist. The teacher
must have strong pedagogy in both traditional
classroom and the online classroom to provide a
strong learning environment.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-10

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 MOBILE LEARNING

Hand-held digital tools (wireless mobile devices)

that can access the Internet 24/7 are now opening
new avenues for learning. With greater wireless
access and faster broadband speeds, mobile
learning is on its way to becoming omnipresent.

Consequently, as demand grows from students and

parents to implement mobile technology into
classrooms, administrators and teachers are taxed
with finding ways to incorporate them in a safe and
meaningful manner.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-11

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 COMPUTER-BASED ASSESSMENTS

In the era of electronic learning, computer-based

assessments play an important role in providing
educators with new ways to gather student
performance data to drive instructional practices.

By using technology as a means to conduct

formative and summative assessments, educators
are better positioned to provide meaningful
instruction.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-12

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 COMPUTER-BASED ASSESSMENTS

Online assessments can be used to help drive

instruction.

In classrooms, computer-based programs with

embedded algorithms that adjust content delivery
are used as a means to differentiate the
instruction.

In the near future we may look to state-

standardized tests administered via the Internet.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-13

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 OPEN EDUCATION RESOURCES (OER).

OER provides educators and students free, legal

resources while increasing equity in access to lesson
plans, tools, and content to users across the world.

Challenges are present and the teacher needs to be

discriminating for not all content can be considered
accurate based on face value.

It does provide a gateway for increased networking

and improvement in educational practices and it is
gaining momentum.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-14

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Providing opportunities for students to learn how to

function both ethically and safely so they can become
positive digital citizens is an important consideration
for todays educators.

Using available resources, in both the private and

public sector on topics related to Internet safety, can
provide assistance to educators in their quest to use
technology in the school setting.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-15

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
 A FINAL THOUGHT:

It is widely recognized that access to technology in

the education environment has increased
exponentially in recent years. The increased role
of technology in the workplace, school
environment, and society makes it imperative that
people be able to function in a variety of media
literacies.

Oliva/Gordon Developing the Curriculum, 8e. 14-16

2012, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved