Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department

Education Division

The Department offers a variety of social service and education programs to a diverse population of male and female offenders. Our professional staff work hard to help inmates and detainees build academic and life skills that better prepare them to become productive members of society as they reenter their neighborhoods.

To help sustain its programs, the Department partners with agencies like Bunker Hill Community College, the Boston Public Schools, Boston Medical Center, the Boston Center for Youth and Families, the Phillips Brooks House at Harvard, Boston and Youth Options Unlimited Boston, which focuses on post–release services for younger inmates.

Routines

Conduct a Digital Literacy Pre-Assessment with Students

Boston Uncornered, JVS - Bridges to College and Careers, Rian Immigrant Center, Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, X-Cel Education


TAGS: #DigitalLiteracy #Assessment #GoogleForms #BostonUncornered #JVSBoston #RianImmigrantCenter #XCelEducation #SCSD


WHAT | One effective way to understand the digital literacy levels of learners is to conduct a pre-assessment: Once the results are collected, they can be analyzed to identify the areas that require attention. By understanding the learners' needs early on, we can effectively move forward and provide them with the support they need to succeed. Assessments may be administered upon intake using the Northstar Digital Literacy platform (paper or digital), custom-made Google Forms, or other resources that work for the agency.


WHY | As educators, we strive to save learners' time by identifying their specific needs and crafting our edtech routines accordingly: Our goal is to assess and build digital literacy skills for students, providing additional support where needed to help them achieve their education goals and/or transition smoothly to higher education or the workforce. Assessing digital literacy skills can motivate students to improve their academic skills and reduce anxiety and frustration during instruction by empowering students with the knowledge to use digital platforms.


Connected Evidence-Based Strategies | This strategy connects to the following evidence-based strategies:


HOW | Google Forms: During the intake/orientation process, new students are provided information about and access to a pre-assessment to self-assess their digital literacy skills. Students log into the pre-assessment and review the directions with instructors and staff. Students then answer questions that determine their digital literacy and knowledge of the platforms and programs they will use within the program. This may include, but is not limited to: Zoom, Google Classroom, Google Drive, Google Docs, Moodle, Chat (WhatsApp), Canvas, navigating college websites and financial aid websites, and more.

The students are given a time limit to answer the pre-assessment questions. At the end of the allotted time, students will be given an opportunity to review their answers with instructors. Instructors will review the answers as a team and determine which students need additional digital literacy support as they begin their classes. Digital literacy instruction will be integrated across subject areas with a focus on improving technological skills with formative assessments, goal setting, and a final summative assessment.

DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this strategy connects to the following digital skill(s):