Empowering Students for a Brighter Future
Why I chose EduTech Literacy
In a world that is heavily reliant on technology, especially in K-12 education, kids without access to a device or the internet are placed at a very large disadvantage. Education is often described as the number one factor of social mobility, therefore denying these children access to these essential needs, denies their opportunity at a better future. As an EA student, I understand how crucial this experience has been to my development as a person, and how I can leverage this unique circumstance for the benefit of others within my local community. I hope that my project can lead to change within our local education system: to make it more equitable for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status. I also hope that my project will be a catalyst for the creation of organizations/programs that can work to ensure the continuity of this change.
The pilot project I created aims to tackle both issues: technology literacy and support. It features a technology literacy course divided by age group (Pre-K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th) that teaches basic and advanced computer functions. Additionally, it teaches students how to be good digital citizens. As Ms. Dawn Martesi, pioneer of the Tiger Tech program, articulated to me, “the first step in digital literacy is how to be a good digital citizen.” This pilot project will be easily scalable and easily accessible so that any non-profit or other organizations can use it.
Although not a panacea for the digital divide, my hope is that this project can serve as one small way to begin tackling a greater problem. Whether a large corporation or high school senior, we all must focus on addressing the inequities which our society faces.
Dawn Martesi, pioneer of the Tiger Tech program
“the first step in digital literacy is how to be a good digital citizen.”
Objectives & Scope
Research & Discovery
Below is a list of all the people & organizations I spoke to and important quotes from each of them.
-
Horizons Senior Vice President, Strategy and Programs
“Especially for young children when teaching digital literacy, it is just as important to teach the parents as it is the kids” -
Principle of Mill Creek Elementary School
“Before we can teach students digital literacy, we must first teach them to be good digital citizens.”
-
Executive Director of Horizons Greater Philadelphia
She taught me how to create a project
4 steps:
1. What’s already out there
2. Adapt it to the community your serving
3. Mini lesson plans for each age-group
4. Adapting plans for students to parents —> how to help parents prep kids -
Head Priest and Overseer at St. Athanasius Church and School
“Even though we live in a digital world, it is important as an educator to make sure there is a balance between technology and physical learning.” -
Comcast Director of Impact and Inclusion Partnerships team
“If taught how to use technology these children in low-income communities can many times bypass getting a college degree or masters and can just get certification to start working.” -
ACLAMO Board President
“ACLAMO’s three main goals are to provide health, education, and social services. To fully utilize and set up these programs, both the parents and students must be digitally literate.”
-
Managing Director Harron Ventures LLC
“Comcast spearheaded affordable connectivity before Affordable Connectivity Program.”
-
Founder of the Buccini Pollin Group, Inc.
“In low-income communities these children have so many other struggles such as food security and housing, that maybe doing their homework or learning how to use a computer can turn into an auxiliary thought”
“The most important part of strengthening a community is education. If you’re educated, everything else falls in line.”
-
Comcast Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Digital Equity and Former Secretary of the Cabinet in the Obama Administration
“Digital literacy is much larger than education – jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, tele health, none of these will work if you can’t use tech.”
“Inter-generational digital literacy gaps can be solved by teaching k-12 kids’ digital literacy.”
“The Internet Essentials product provides internet for $9.95 a month, and over 10 million people have signed up.”
“Lift zones are community-based centers where people can get free access to wifi, Comcast has established over 1250.”
-
IT Manager - Technology / Digital Art Teacher, Saint Athanasius School, Philadelphia
-“Coding and digital literacy are the two most important thing you need to teach students now”
“If the students know how to type, they can use any tool on a computer.”
“It is important to start at a young age, students should start computer classes in Pre-K.”
Below is a diagram which illustrates the three sections of my Lilley Project, and the key learnings from each section.
Next Steps…
Although I am confined by the time limits for this fellowship, I will be continuing my research and hope to test run the pilot project next summer in conjunction with Horizon and ACLAMO, two non-profit organizations who provide after-care and summer programs for the children they serve.
Key Learning
Resources & References
1. Project Application
2. Personal Statement
3. Project Report
4. Personal Reflection
5. Project update/presentations
6. Final report/presentation
7. Also, where will your literacy guide go?
References
list all of my sources
Contact
Arudra Venugopalan
VenuA24@episcopalacademy.org
Episcopal Academy, Class of 2024
About Aru
My name is Arudra (Aru) Venugopalan and I am a senior at the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA. I am a community advocate/leader passionate about bridging the digital divide by creating partnerships between companies, communities, and nonprofits. I am also a multi-sport varsity athlete who has competed at the national level, while performing well in an Honors/AP-focused course load. Outside of the classroom, I am a Photographer and Photo Editor, Jazz musician who can play the saxophone, and multilingual.
Special Thanks
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.