Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

Connected Learning is

"socially embedded, interest-driven, and oriented toward educational, economic, or political opportunity. Connected learning is realized when a young person is able to pursue a personal interest or passion with the support of friends and caring adults, and is in turn able to link this learning and interest to academic achievement, career success or civic engagement."

(Ito et al., 2013, p.4)

While teachers may strive to design learning opportunities which engage students in ways that meet these goals, the structures of schooling in 2019 are often prohibitive. Far from feeling free to develop learning which enables agility, creativity and flexibility, teachers’ days are packed full as they navigate the demands of standardised testing, and content packed curricula and requirements of competing external and internal stakeholders.

Theory informs practice and without a solid theoretical base we risk having an impaired praxis. This is clearly noticeable in the education sector where the teaching pedagogy is directly shaped by the theoretical traditions underpinning one’s teaching philosophy. For instance, inline with the ethos of their constructivist theory,  progressivist educators tend to favour a dialogic, autonomous and student-centerer type of teaching where learners are encouraged to take responsibility of their learning.

Developed through a collaborative process between researchers and practitioners, this toolkit is a curated cross-section of resources that relay knowledge and best practices in achieving real success in youth-centered digital learning. The Reclaiming Digital Futures toolkit is a curated cross-section of resources that relay best practices in youth-centered digital learning.