Presentation on critical digital literacies

1. Using Critical Digital Pedagogy to Humanize
Online English Teacher Education
Dr. Amy Piotrowski, Dr. Merideth Garcia, Amanda Plazier, Mary Ellen Greenwood,
Kalie Chamberlain

2. Critical Digital Pedagogy
● Centers students and their learning rather than technology - technology tools
serve pedagogy, not the other way around.
● Education is a space of dialogue between students and teachers.

3. Critical Digital Pedagogy
● Asks questions around equity, access, surveillance/privacy, well-being of
students, and whether and why technology tools are used, not just how (Morris
and Stommel).
● Morris and Stommel (2018) suggest that we “approach new digital
technologies at once with wonder and also dismay - with a reflective curiosity
that unabashedly pushes buttons but not without first dissecting them" (p. 43).

4. Amy’s Teaching
● Learning takes place in digital spaces as well as the physical location where
students and teachers are, not bound by four walls of a classroom
● Digital spaces are a way to reach students where they are, both geographically
and academically, in order to move students forward in their learning

5. Amy’s Teaching
● Stay connected through electronic messages, video presentations from
students, tools for collaborative work, breakout rooms and chat during
synchronous IVC meetings
● When needed, streamline - what’s essential to course, what’s nice to get to if
there’s time, what’s beyond the scope of this course?

6. Merideth’s Teaching
● Acknowledge the challenges students are facing and make space in class to
share strategies and victories. This is an important step in creating a sense of
belonging.
● Make “accommodations” the norm for the class instead of “on demand.”

7. Amanda’s Teaching
Navigating student safety, grief, and culture with
compassion
1. Provide zoom recordings, modify attendance
and camera requirements.
2. Be flexible--shift timelines appropriately.
3. Expand assignments to engage, validate, and
empower students’ cultural and life
experiences. Utah State University
Statewide Campus System

8. Mary Ellen’s Teaching
It is our responsibility to coordinate and facilitate dialogue, but if we deny students the
opportunities and ability to participate fully, we undermine our goals (Freire, 1970).
Reference: Freire, P. (1970/1993). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Penguin Random House.
Opportunity and Ability
through Digital Spaces:
→Office hours
→Chat features for
participation
→Other formats and
adjustments

9. Kalie’s Teaching
● Engage in frequent, positive, & interventional interactions.
● Employ LMS data management to proactively investigate which and
when students are struggling.
● Use student support services offered at your institution.
○ Student Success Center Team
○ Guidance Counselors or Student Advisors
○ Writing Center Services

10. Teaching Tips
● Know students as human beings
● Design for access and accessibility
● Just putting face-to-face lessons and activities online doesn’t translate
● Break large projects down into pieces for accountability and to give students
feedback along the way

11. Questions?
● Amy Piotrowski: amy.piotrowski@usu.edu, Twitter: @piotrowskiamy
● Merideth Garcia: mgarcia@uwlax.edu
● Amanda Plaizier: amanda.plaizier@usu.edu
● Mary Ellen Greenwood: maryellen.greenwood@usu.edu
● Kalie Chamberlain: kalie.chamberlain@gmail.com
Look for forthcoming article!