(DL)²

All KYSU programs will:

• Prepare students for success at intake by assessing their level of digital literacy, determining their access to devices and the internet, and offering support around equitable digital access.

• Establish a plan with identified resources to support students who need to build basic digital literacy skills to utilize blended and distance learning options.

All KYSU programs will:

• Designate a distance learning point of contact who has a high level of digital literacy and receives communications from KYSU regarding digital resources.

• Use digital tools to extend learning beyond the face-to-face classroom and create a blended learning experience for all students.

• Utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to coordinate blended and distance learning options with students and should work toward all instructors implementing such a model to share and organize learning resources and assessments.

• Provide remote proctoring options for students who have barriers keeping them from testing in an onsite proctored environment.

• Education and service providers are key components of the ecosystem for digital resilience

• There are 109,413 unemployed individuals in Kentucky, of which at least 36,106 lack foundational digital skills. These individuals may not even begin to compete for an estimated 95,827 or 73.7% of job openings which require such skills. 

• 32 million Americans don’t feel comfortable using computer

• 19 million Americans do not have internet access

• The growth rate of digital-based, middle-skilled jobs compared to other kinds of jobs is 150%

• 80% of middle-skill jobs require digital skills

• KYSU providers and students must be prepared for effective remote teaching and learning in the 2020-2021 program year and beyond.

• 50% of Americans aren't comfortable using technology to learn

• Distance learning provides an effective alternative option to face-to-face classrooms for students who have barriers to attending.

• Research increasingly suggests that a blended approach is more effective for adult learners that face-to-face  only or online only.