Digital Literacy in BC First

NationsPhillip Djwa, FNESCPhillip Djwa, FNESC

April 24, 2008April 24, 2008

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q

• View this video onlineView this video online

The World is Flat we are preparing students for jobs that don’t exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, to solve problems we haven’t begun to think about.

-Thomas Friedman

Therefore definition of what it means to be educated in the light of the modern world has changed

"the illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

- Alvin Toffler

The Issue

• In the Infowhelm age, learners need to work with information in all forms to fashion content products that have value, that entertain and teach.

• But if learners do is learn the traditional literacies –read, write, arithmetic- they may be literate by 20th Century standards but not by 21st Century standards.

The Opportunity

• Industrial AgeIndustrial Age1. means of production1. means of production

2. channels of distribution2. channels of distribution

3. means of marketing3. means of marketing

• TODAY music examples - you can record the TODAY music examples - you can record the music on your home studio, distribute it music on your home studio, distribute it through your website and market it through through your website and market it through Youtube, Myspace, FacebookYoutube, Myspace, Facebook

What about Canada and BC?

• FNS resolutions re: FNTCFNS resolutions re: FNTC• AFN resolutions 72 & 65AFN resolutions 72 & 65• Federal government initiativesFederal government initiatives

– 2007 2007 strategy strategy Mobilizing Science and Technology Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantageto Canada’s Advantage

– National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Skills Development Canada

• Provincial government initiativesProvincial government initiatives– best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the

continent – Sept 2007continent – Sept 2007

Our Definition of Digital Literacy

• The ability to use Information and The ability to use Information and Communications Technology to Communications Technology to locate, evaluate, create, edit, and use locate, evaluate, create, edit, and use information for the purpose of information for the purpose of creating knowledgecreating knowledge

Our Definition of Digital Literacy

• The components are:The components are:– ConnectivityConnectivity– ComputersComputers– CapacityCapacity

Digital literacy + Access to connected computers = Community capacity building

Digital Literacy Report

• In 2007, FNESC received $50k funding from In 2007, FNESC received $50k funding from NetworkBC, a project office of the BC NetworkBC, a project office of the BC Government to assist in the development of a Government to assist in the development of a report on Digital Literacy in BCreport on Digital Literacy in BC

• The report was complete in the Fall of 2007The report was complete in the Fall of 2007

Key Findings

• Digital literacy must be focused on the Digital literacy must be focused on the audience we want to serve – community audience we want to serve – community members on-reserve – and must be learner-members on-reserve – and must be learner-centredcentred

• A holistic community approach is key, as is A holistic community approach is key, as is understanding community needsunderstanding community needs

• Sustainability is very importantSustainability is very important

Strategic use of ICT = infrastructure + skills + purpose.

Key Conclusions

• Defining digital literacy that is appropriate Defining digital literacy that is appropriate for the target audiencefor the target audience

• Understanding the needs and wants of Understanding the needs and wants of the community is paramount the community is paramount

• Holistic community approachHolistic community approach

• First Nations adults succeed with a First Nations adults succeed with a learner-centred approachlearner-centred approach

Key Conclusions cont.

• Learning, not just task-based trainingLearning, not just task-based training

• Managing infrastructure is complicated, Managing infrastructure is complicated, and distracts from core learning goalsand distracts from core learning goals

• Celebrating and sharing successes is Celebrating and sharing successes is important for promoting lifelong learningimportant for promoting lifelong learning

Digital Lilypad Project

• FNESC has developed a preliminary project FNESC has developed a preliminary project called the Digital Lilypadcalled the Digital Lilypad

• BC Regional approach to digital literacyBC Regional approach to digital literacy

• Short courses designed to teach basic user Short courses designed to teach basic user skillsskills

• Common curriculum sharedCommon curriculum shared

• Taught Online & in-personTaught Online & in-person

Thank you!

• Questions or feedback?Questions or feedback?

• Copies are available please contact us!Copies are available please contact us!

• Please feel free to contact SchoolNet at the Please feel free to contact SchoolNet at the FNESC office 604-925-6087FNESC office 604-925-6087– Phillip DjwaPhillip Djwa - - phillip@fnesc.ca