WAYS ON HOW TO IMPROVE

CYBER LITERACY WITHIN

THE SCHOOL AND IN THE
COMMUNITY
WHAT IS CYBER LITERACY?
 Cyber Literacy means the ability to use computer technologies effectively
and to simultaneously understand the implications of those actions. It is
also important to know where to go to find reliable and accurate resources
in cyberspace, otherwise known as cyber intelligence.
 The word “literacy” alone generally refers to reading and writing skills,
when you add on the word “cyber” before it, the term encompasses much,
much more. By definition, Cyber Literacy means the ability to use
computer technologies effectively and to simultaneously understand the
implications of those actions. It is also important to know where to go to
find reliable and accurate resources in cyberspace, otherwise known
as cyber intelligence. The word understanding is key here, as it goes
beyond knowing how to use the technology but to have a consciousness
of one’s actions.
So, what is so important about
Cyber Literacy?
 Actually, quite a lot. You see, just like we use money every
single day and should understand those Financial Literacy
components, we need to understand the computers we use
daily and use that knowledge to protect your data, find
information faster, avoid phishing and much more.
Recently, a Tenable survey showed that, although virtually
all respondents had heard about data breaches, many have
failed to change their security habits. This could stem from
ignorance, denial or a misunderstanding of their role in
protecting data. knowledge and practices.
SUPPORT COMMUNITY-LEVEL DIGITAL AND
MEDIA LITERACY INITIATIVES
 Step 1: Map existing community resources and
offer small grants.
 Step 2: Support a national network of summer
learning programs.
 Step 3: Create a Digital and Media Literacy Youth
Corps.
DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS FOR TEACHER
EDUCATION
 Step 4: Build interdisciplinary bridges in higher
education
 Step 5: Create district level initiatives
 Step 6: Partner with media and technology
companies
RESEARCH AND ASSESS
Step 7: Develop online
measures of media and
digital literacy 
ENGAGE PARENTS,
STAKEHOLDERS
 Step 8: Start an entertainment education initiative
 Step 9: Host a statewide, youth-produced public
service announcement competition
 Step 10: Support an annual conference and
educator showcase competition
CYBER LITERACY
ACROSS THE
CURRICULUM
How to Infuse Cyber/Digital Literacy
Throughout the Curriculum
 How are we doing on the push to teach “Cyber or digital
literacy” across the K12 school spectrum? From my perspective
as a school-based technology coach and history teacher, I’d say
not as well as we might wish – in part because our traditional
approach to curriculum and instruction wants to sort everything
into its place.

 Cyber/Digital literacy is defined as “the ability to effectively and

critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a
range of digital technologies.” Many educational and business
professional cite is as a critical 21st century skill. Even so, many
schools have struggled to adapt it into their curriculum.
 Thisis often because most institutions already
have rigorous, established curricula with little
wiggle room – and this is especially true in
schools subject to state and federal testing.
Content becomes king. However, there are ways
that schools can adapt these skills into existing
structures – integrating them into their current
pedagogical framework.
 Evaluating online content is a research skill
 Students need to create. Projects become
digital.
 Cyber/Digital Literacy: An everyday dimension
of learning
 Cyber Literacy is a hands-on curriculum that builds a
strong cyber foundation for high school students. The course
introduces students to cyber by blending robotics,
programming, electricity, and elements of liberal arts.
Students learn about the opportunities, threats,
responsibilities, and legal constraints associated with
operating in cyberspace. Throughout the course, students
learn the basics of electricity, programming, and networking
as well as develop critical thinking skills. Cyber Literacy
lays a foundation for further exploration into STEM and
cyber-related topics.
 Cyber Literacy 2 is a project-driven curriculum that expands a student’s
understanding of cyberspace through two primary topics: systems
engineering and liberal arts. The Cyber Literacy 2 course builds upon
fundamental cyber skills developed in Cyber Literacy and challenges
students to go deeper into the world of cyberspace. Students will utilize a
microcontroller to construct complex systems that bring together a variety
of components on each build and also will realize the significant real
world connections as they discuss the liberal arts/ humanities crossovers
that exist with today’s technologies. Many aspects of science,
engineering, technology, and mathematics are discussed throughout each
of the projects. Similarly, students are challenged to create flow-charts
with each build as well as tossing out the wiring diagram in favor of
reading schematics.