Course Overview
Technology Literacy prepares students to thrive in an increasingly digital society. Students develop essential skills for navigating the digital landscape responsibly and effectively — from understanding how computers and networks work, to evaluating online information, to creating digital content. The course emphasizes computational thinking, coding fundamentals, and the ethical use of technology, empowering students to be not just consumers of technology but thoughtful creators and contributors.
The Big Idea
In a world shaped by technology, literacy means more than reading and writing — it means understanding, evaluating, and creating with the digital tools that define modern life.
Course Units
Unit 1: Digital Citizenship & Online Safety
Students explore what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. They investigate online safety, privacy, cyberbullying, and the permanence of digital footprints. Students develop strategies for protecting themselves and others in digital spaces and learn about the ethical use of information and media.
Key Activities
- Analyze real-world scenarios involving online safety
- Map your digital footprint and evaluate its impact
- Research and present on a digital citizenship topic
- Create a digital citizenship pledge or campaign
Unit 2: How Computers Work
Students investigate the hardware and software components that make computers function. They explore how data is stored and processed, how operating systems manage resources, and how networks connect devices around the world. Students gain a foundational understanding of the systems behind the technology they use every day.
Key Activities
- Identify and explain the function of key hardware components
- Explore how binary code represents data
- Investigate how the internet and networks operate
- Simulate how data travels across a network
Unit 3: Computational Thinking & Coding
Students are introduced to computational thinking — the problem-solving approach used by computer scientists. They learn to decompose problems, identify patterns, and create algorithms. Students apply these skills through introductory coding activities, writing programs that solve real problems and produce visible results.
Key Activities
- Decompose problems using computational thinking strategies
- Create flowcharts and pseudocode for algorithms
- Write and debug basic programs using block-based coding
- Design a program that solves a real-world problem
Unit 4: Creating & Communicating with Technology
Students apply their technology skills to create and share digital content. They explore multimedia tools, presentation software, and digital storytelling techniques. Students learn to evaluate sources, cite digital media responsibly, and communicate their ideas effectively to different audiences using technology.
Key Activities
- Evaluate and cite digital sources using proper methods
- Create a multimedia presentation on a chosen topic
- Produce a short digital story or video project
- Peer-review and provide feedback on digital work
Skills You'll Build
Transferable skills developed throughout this course. Learn more about each skill →