Building a Digital Literacy Program"Are you using technology, or is technology using you?"
Six years ago De Marillac Academy received a technology grant and purchased state-of-the-art computers and SmartBoards, bringing the "jewel of the Tenderloin" to sparkle in a new, promising light. The only problem was that there was no computer curriculum and no teacher. Given my passion for information literacy and technology, and familiarity with online learning through attending the University of Washington's cutting-edge iSchool program online, I volunteered and two weeks later was given the position of "Digital Literacy Instructor". With ISTE Standards in mind and integrating components of Common Sense Media digital literacy curriculum. It has since grown to incorporate coding skills and Scratch programming features to build a curriculum that involves research skills, teaches digital citizenship, and enables students to be tech users of action instead of being chained to habits that actually restrict them from reaching their full potential. A tremendous effort is made to also use technology to instill De Marillac Academy's values of integrity, service, honesty, respect, and gratitude. My completed Prospectus originally prepared as a final assignment for my Information Literacy for Learners class was adopted as the plan and vision for the De Marillac Library and Digital Literacy Curriculum which defines clear objectives and a timeline of activities and means of evaluation. Although students attend digital literacy class twice a week, it is actually entwined in all subject fields through teacher collaboration and curriculum mapping. De Marillac Academy is a tuition-free private school educating students in San Francisco's impoverished Tenderloin and surrounding neighborhoods. It is important that students realize the benefits and consequences of their digital footprint and that if they know how to responsibly and effectively harness the power of the open internet, they will not be used by technology, but use it instead. |
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