Connecting with the World: Giving Our Students a Voice

We will kick off your course with an inspiring recorded lecture from Shannon Miller! A proud UNI alum.

Shannon is an international speaker, consultant, and award-winning author with a passion for education, librarianship, advocacy, and technology. She’s the K–12 Director of Innovation of Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter Community School in Iowa, and also serves as the spokesperson for Future Ready Librarians and is a national faculty member for Future Ready Schools.

As the voice behind the acclaimed Library Voice blog, Shannon inspires educators and students around the world to create, collaborate, and connect. Browse and bookmark it for a future classroom resource.

Before watching the lecture: 

  • Open and analyze the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards for teachers and students. ISTE standards provide a framework for learning, teaching, and leading that is amplified by technology.
    • ISTE Standards for Students emphasize the skills and qualities we want for students, enabling them to engage and thrive in a connected, digital world.
    • ISTE Standards for Educators define the new skills and pedagogical insights educators need to teach, work, and learn in the digital age.

  • Bookmark these standards. We will be referring to them throughout the course.
  • Download and scrutinize the "I am a Digital Age Learner" poster. It breaks down the ISTE standards for students in an easy-to-follow concept map. If possible, print the poster and place it in your workspace. It should guide your future decisions when creating projects for your students.

  • Ask yourself: "Am I a digital-age learner?" Am I ready to become a digital-age teacher?

While watching the lecture (see Lecture folder in eLearning) :

  • Try to make a list of the skills and tools mentioned by Shannon.
Think:
  • Do you know many skills and tools to give you and your future students a voice?
  • What did your high, middle, and elementary school teachers do to give you a voice and connect you to the world outside of your classroom?
  • What can you do to make your future students' learning more meaningful and engaging?
  • Do you see an echo of ISTE standards in Shannon's teaching?
  • What has changed since the lecture was recorded?

Welcome to LRNTECH 3600


Hello future teachers!

We are thrilled to have you with us this semester!

Each week, you will complete RWLDs, which stand for Readings, Watchings, Listenings, and Doings. These hand-picked activities replace traditional textbooks and are designed to prepare you for the upcoming lecture. A new set of RWLDs will be released weekly. Please check the course schedule and eLearning for details.
  • Face-to-face students: We will walk you through everything during our first lab in SEC 133.
  • Online and OTP students: Look for an introductory message from your instructor. 

For now, bookmark this page, explore our social media (links are in the sidebar), and stay tuned for more.

We are excited to learn and grow with you. Let’s make it a great semester!

~ Your Technology, Pedagogy, and Learning in the Digital Age (LRNTECH 3600) team

Collage logos and classroom pictures showing learning experience in this class