As a child’s learning journey begins, there are many opportunities to help them understand the world around them. One example is through activities that encourage students to think critically about their own understanding of the concept of “being,” and how they can use it in situations that affect others. Another example might be an exploration of topics such as environmental responsibility or health care access, where learners become engaged in solving problems and taking on responsibilities. In short, any activity that encourages students to engage with topics that affect their lives and those around them, whether that be from personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, or political viewpoints, is likely to have positive outcomes. However, when it comes to teaching these types of critical thinking activities, teachers must consider what type of education resources might best support this process. For example, while educators may prefer to focus more on the arts like music or art, children who have special learning needs (i.e., attention issues) do not need to experience the same level of skill or motivation in order to learn new things. At CTED, we see teaching materials that meet specific criteria in terms of accessibility, age appropriateness, and teacher training, which means educators can create the most effective teaching strategies for all kids, regardless of their ability.
One way to meet each learner’s unique needs and interests is through differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction means tailoring instruction to each student’s individual needs and preferences. This helps ensure that every student receives the instruction and knowledge necessary to achieve academic success. While some instructors do not necessarily feel comfortable teaching multiple subjects at once, CTED provides a lot of online resources to facilitate that flexibility. Through its web-based instructional guidebooks and course-specific modules, CTED aims to provide a variety of ways to teach digital citizenship. Whether you choose to teach basic computer skills or create a project-based curriculum in partnership with a local school district or library, having options available can make it easier for educators to customize instruction based on individual student needs and preferences. Teachers who work with CTED to design lesson plans, explore different themes, and assess student performance can often see great improvements in reading comprehension, math scores, and overall engagement. By using both hands-on activities and technology, students can be challenged, but also helped, by working collaboratively with fellow classmates. A common theme among our digital citizenship courses is exploring various media platforms, including movies and television shows, video games, interactive tools, and more. Students learn vital technical skills, develop critical thinking skills, and gain life skills that will stay with them throughout their educational journeys. Our programs aim to provide all students with equal opportunity, and in doing so create opportunities that offer more than just academics. We encourage students to challenge themselves physically as well as mentally by practicing physical movement and teamwork exercises such as team sports, field trips, and nature walks. These lessons come from research-based practices that include simulations and role modeling, providing opportunities for students to participate in group discussions and debates which foster peer learning..
About CTED
CTED: The Center for Technology Education Design is part of New York University's Department of Media Arts & Sciences (MASS) and offers a range of innovative technology-based programs designed to engage students in problem-based learning and improve their understanding of various technologies. It is located within MASS's School of Information, Library and Media Studies. Its website states, "CTED believes the classroom is a powerful tool for educating children; however, traditional methods of teaching and learning still often fall short in helping young people develop the lifelong competencies needed to succeed." Our goal is to change that by offering high-quality programs that address a wide range of knowledge areas such as engineering, mathematics, science, the arts, economics, and humanities.
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