What students need to learn (1): information, visual, technological literacy

What do students need to learn? A recent report from the New Media Consoritum on new media in Australia and New Zealand points out that while our students are surrounded by the most technology and media rich environment, they do not necessarily know how to effectively use these riches for communication and thinking. The way the report puts the issue is:

"There is a growing need for formal instruction in key new skills, including information literacy, visual literacy, and technological literacy."

Another part of the report states the value of creativity and innovation in the real world is going up, yet schools remain largely silent on this topic. The three skills above can be enablers of innovation and creativity, if they are taught well using projects as the motivators (see PLM or PBL).

In future blogs, I'll highlight some of the NMC's cases that illustrate how our friends down under are making headway on these subjects. But, before you read those, take a moment to ask how you would accomplish this type of learning in your environment. Please post in the comments below.