Target Audience: The course will be directed towards grade 2-4 students in a face-to-face, virtual, or blended setting.
Course Timeline: The course will focus on 5 main themes of digital and media literacy. Each theme will have a video lesson and activity. The course can be done within a 5 week time frame with one lesson a week.
Course Delivery: This course can be delivered through an asynchronous learning format or in a blended model that involves face-to-face instruction and online learning in the classroom. The instructional videos for each course will be accessible on Youtube. The video lessons will have follow up activity templates that can be used for Google Slides, Seesaw, or as a printable PDF.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes: In the Digital Citizenship Guide for Saskatchewan’s School, there is a framework based on Mike Ribble’s Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship. Element 5 in this framework is digital literacy, which will be the course objective.
In the Digital Citizenship Guide, digital literacy is referred to as “searching for information, evaluating the content of websites, collaborating in networks, and organizing the abundance of information available online.” These skills will be the focus of the course. It’s also important to recognize that digital literacy includes social responsibility, empowerment, and awareness. Media Smarts, Common Sense Education, and Teaching Tolerance are all incredible resources to look to for this information.
Course Materials: The course can be accessed online with internet and a device or computer. Each activity is done in an online format, but with the option to be printed.
Special Considerations: The purpose of this course is to enhance the digital literacy skills and abilities of younger students so that they know how to thrive in a digital age. In order to achieve these skills, the learning in this course needs to be accessible to everyone, no matter the circumstances! Here are some areas of consideration for this course:
- The outcomes in this course can be achieved in various ways so that it meets the needs of every child.
- If students are unable to access the video portion of the lesson, for reasons such as low bandwidth, there will be posters or summaries to review the important themes in the lesson.
- Each activity will be digital, but will also have the option to be printed. If students do not have access to a device or computer, their teacher or learning mentor can print out the materials for them.
- The Digital Divide is an obvious reality in our world right now. In order to help students with this, there are libraries throughout the city that are open for anyone who needs computer and internet access. They also have programming that can assist students with their learning in a socially distanced and safe way. This information will be accessible within the course.
Activity Completion and Assessment: The course lessons will be accessed through the Digital Literacy for Kids website, but the video lessons will be accessible on YouTube. The activities for each lesson will be downloadable so that they can be used in numerous formats . Students need to accomplish the lessons in order so that they have the necessary background knowledge for each lesson. There will be formative and summative assessments for the course, with a digital literacy completion certificate at the end.
Course Outline
The course will focus on 5 main themes of digital and media literacy. Each theme will have a video lesson and activities. The course can be done within a 3-6 week time frame with one-two lessons a week, including an introduction and conclusion lesson.
Lesson 1: My Digital Literacy Adventure
This lesson will introduce the important skills of Digital Literacy in an engaging way. Students will also use the Digital Literacy Rubric to determine what they know about the topic already.
Lesson 2: “Look Closely and Think Critically”
The lesson will focus on the skill of critical thinking and deciphering real vs. fake news.
Lesson 3: “Think Before you Share”
Students will learn about the importance of using Digital Citizenship skills and engaging thoughtfully online.
Lesson 4: “Be Creative”
This lesson will encourage students to use creativity with online tools, apps, and websites. They will also learn the importance of collaborating and sharing their creativity with others.
Lesson 5: “Show Empathy”
Students will take part in activities that encourage empathy, kindness, and understanding. They will also have time to reflect on their own Digital Footprint and think about how to move forward online with empathy.
Lesson 6: “Use Your Voice”
This is the final theme of the Digital Literacy course. Students will learn the importance of raising awareness, empowering others, and using their voice online. They will also determine goals and establish a plan that encourages them to move forward with activism and leadership.
Lesson 7: Conclusion Lesson
This is the final lesson of the course. Students will reflect on what they learned about Digital Literacy and they will share their findings with others. They may also use the Digital Literacy rubric to assess their growth over the course.
Digital Literacy for Kids 