Strengthening Students' Digital Literacies

Strengthening Students' Digital Literacies

From 2021, there will be collaborations with external partners to achieve the goal of ICT technical skills in our students through iPad mastery. There will be extensive discussions, conceptualizing of plans for student iPad skills, and sharing of instructional materials with Apple Singapore to actualise this plan. 

Digital Literacy Workshops

iPad skills will primarily be taught to the students through internally run Digital Literacy Workshops. These workshops began in Term 1, facilitated by the teacher trainers who planned and prepared the workshop materials and arrangements. The scope of iPad technical usage knowledge also covers the use of complementary learning tools and platforms on iPads, such as ‘Google Workspace’ (formerly ‘Google Suite’). Additional skills in the use of iPads for the purpose of learning management, knowledge archival and portfolio creation is also an integral part of the students’ learning for NDLP readiness.

The planned scope of Digital Literacy Workshops coverage, and the related information are as follow:

Workshop for Student Tech Champions

Purpose: To develop Student Tech Champions to

• be the go-to student and peer leaders in technology, particularly in the areas of iPad usage,

• have interpersonal skills for better communication and interaction between the students, so as to prevent disengagement due to increased screen time and over reliance on the PLDs, and

• be student experts in the areas of Cyber Wellness.

Through training boot camps, the Student Tech Champions will pick up technical skills and tips in the handling of the iPad, bringing their learning to their peers through an informal channel.

Secondary One ICT-Integrated Programme

The Secondary One ICT-Integrated Programme, as a 6-month programme, is carried out every year and involves the newly-enrolled Secondary One students learning about baseline ICT skills, basic device and platform operations. 

Reference Materials for Students Self-Learning of Technical Operations and Skills

In consideration of the students’ needs for guides and tutorial after the formal training is carried out, reference materials are being created and made easily available for the students. These materials, the ‘e-ICT Handbook’ and ‘Tutorial Portal’, will be channels that the students may refer to in order for them to overcome the technical difficulties and respond to their queries on technical operations. 

Apple Singapore has also made available a set of materials and tutorials in the form of Apple Support so as to support the learning of the students. These ‘Student Self-Paced Support’ are presented in a written tutorial and available online for various iOS devices, inclusive of iPad. These materials allow for the development of self-directedness in the students in seeking solutions on their own.