Illinois will require computer literacy and media literacy courses for the 2022 - 2023 school year for all K-12 students.
Today, I wanted to share a brief introduction to these new acts. I also want to share a few resources that I think can help both students and teachers grow and explore computer, media, digital, news or whatever literacy we want to call up.
Computer Science and Computer Literacy – Illinois Public Act 101-0654
Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, all school districts shall ensure that students receive developmentally appropriate opportunities to gain computer literacy skills at each grade level K-12. Additionally, students entering ninth grade in the 2022-23 school year and each school year thereafter must participate in one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and that may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
“Computer literacy” is broadly defined as one’s knowledge of and ability to use computers and related technologies efficiently and effectively. More specifically, computer literacy includes knowing what constitutes a computer, the uses and applications for computers, and the impact of computers on society. (Source)
Media Literacy - Illinois Public Act 102-0055
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, every public high school is required to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on media literacy.The unit of instruction shall include, but is not limited to, analyzing:
(1) the purpose of media messages and how they are constructed;(2) explicit and implicit media messages;(3) values and points of view that are included and excluded in the media;(4) how the media may influence ideas and behaviors; and(5) the importance of obtaining information from multiple media sources.
“Media literacy” means the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using a variety of forms, including, but not limited to: print, visual, audio, interactive, and digital texts. (Source)
I do believe that the skills for both computer literacy and digital literacy overlap, so I am focusing on resources that could be used to engage in both areas below.
Applied Digital Skills is an online, project-based learning curriculum. Each lesson asks students to actively apply their learning of digital skills to help them solve real-world problems. Digital skills help people responsibly use tools and applications to complete projects or tasks on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. These skills allow for easier communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking through technology - and play an important role in preparing students and learners for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
NLP, a nonpartisan national education nonprofit, provides programs and resources for educators and the public to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information and equal and engaged participants in a democracy.
Common Sense Media - Digital Dilemmas
Based on research by Carrie James and Emily Weinstein at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the middle and high school Digital Citizenship Curriculum includes digital dilemmas and thinking routines. Educators can use these resources to help students develop skills and dispositions to respond to real-world dilemmas in thoughtful, effective, and empathetic ways.
Digital Literacy - Learning for Justice
Free educational resources—articles, guides, lessons, films, webinars, frameworks and more—help foster shared learning and reflection for educators, young people, caregivers and all community members. Our engagement opportunities—conferences, workshops, and school and community partnerships—provide space where people can harness collective power and take action.
Additional Resources
- Digital Learning - Media Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Digital Citizenship
- Digital & Media Literacy - ISTE
- 20 Things Educators Need To Know About Digital Literacy Skills
- Khan Academy - Computing
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