Table 1 Youth-focused digital literacy programs and frameworks
Program and/or organization name | Type of program | Description | Key components | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Formal education system | Â | Â | Â | Â |
BC Ministry of Education and Child Care: Digital Literacy Framework (British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care, 2022) | School-based digital literacy and coding courses Structured lesson plans and educational resources | A digital literacy framework to help educators integrate technology and digital literacy-related activities into their classroom practice The framework provides some basis for the development of assessment tools for the digital literacy competencies | Research and information literacy Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making Creativity and innovation Digital citizenship Communication and collaboration Technology operations and concepts | British Columbia, Canada |
Nova Scotia Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development: Technology Education (Nova Scotia Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2022) | School-based digital literacy and coding courses | The Nova Scotia government has developed a Technology education course to provide students hands-on design problem-solving skills The course is designed to teach students to use a range of technological tools, processes, and applications; integrate technology education with other academic disciplines; design and create devices and objects that solve technological problems; and explain the consequences of technology and how it affects society | Exploring technology Communications technology Design Production technology Communications technology Computer programming | Nova Scotia, Canada |
Government of Ontario: STEM Skills and Connections (Government of Ontario, 2022) | School-based digital literacy and coding courses | The Ontario government introduced a new science and technology curriculum and de-streaming the Grade 9 science course The new STEM programming includes mandatory learning on coding, data literacy, mathematical modeling, and an emphasis on financial literacy | Coding Engineering design process Algorithms Data input, storage, processing, and output Project management and program design Controlling large systems in action Robotics | Ontario, Canada |
Informal education system | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Toronto Public Library (Toronto Public Library, 2022) | Part-time extracurricular programs | The Toronto Public Library provides free programs and classes as well as access to computers and equipment for all age groups Programming includes technology talks, hands-on coding workshops and other classes for a wide range of interests | 3d printing 3d design Audio recording and editing Coding Image editing (e.g., adobe photoshop) Robotics Sewing (at fabrication studio) Video recording and editing | Ontario, Canada |
CoderDojo program (Kelly et al., 2023) | Part-time extracurricular programs | Coding clubs for children and youth to stimulate digital capacity and adoption among rural young people administered by three branches of the Western Manitoba Regional Library The CoderDojo program incorporates a ‘belt’ system corresponding to beginner, intermediate, and advanced ‘Scratch’ skills | Scratch Raspberry Pi Pico Python Unity Web (HTML, CSS, animations) | Manitoba, Canada |
Let’s Talk Science (Let’s Talk Science, 2022) | School-based digital literacy workshops Teacher education/training models Structured lesson plans and educational resources | Programs and resources for educators to improve youth education and engagement in STEM Programming is available at no cost to schools, early education centres, community organizations, and parents/caregivers Programming includes Career profiles in STEM, hands-on activities exploring STEM concepts, lesson plans for educators, interactive resources (activities, eBooks, videos), national STEM projects using real-world data | Cybersecurity Coding Artificial intelligence Robotics Data privacy | Canada |
Kids Code Jeunesse (Kids Code Jeunesse, 2022) | School-based digital literacy workshops Teacher education/training models Structured lesson plans and educational resources | Programs that provide access to digital skills education, with a focus on girls and underserved communities Programming includes online training for educators, code in the classroom workshops for educators and students, code clubs for youth, online resources for parents and youth | Artificial intelligence JavaScript Scratch Micro:bit Python | Canada |
Canada Learning Code (CLC) (Canada Learning Code, 2022) | School-based digital literacy workshops Teacher education/training models Structured lesson plans and educational resources | Programs that provide digital literacy education and working to equip people living in Canada with technical skills 1-day and multi-day workshops for students 7-week program for adults March Break and Summer Camps Code Mobile, a traveling computer lab on wheels | Basic digital skills Coding Robotics HTML/CSS JavaScript Ruby on rails Python Graphic design Introductions to artificial intelligence Introductions to blockchain | Canada |
Pinnguaq (Pinnguaq, 2019) | School-based digital literacy workshops Teacher education/training models Structured lesson plans and educational resources Full-time bootcamp programs | Programs designed to support the development of STEAM skills through innovative technology, art, and play Programming includes Free in-person and remote digital skills workshops, camps, and online programs for learners of all ages | App development Art and design Computational thinking Computer fundamentals Digital storytelling Engineering Game design Online safety Root and stem Sound design Video production | Canada |
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada: Kid Tech Nation (Boys and Girls Club, 2022) | Full-time bootcamp programs Part-time extracurricular programs | Program teaching youth digital skills in a fun, beginner-friendly, and collaborative environment The program focuses on engaging young people that are typically underrepresented in STEM fields (i.e., girls, racialized and Indigenous children, and children from newcomer families) Programming includes youth mentorship, digital literacy skill development, and coding | Digital skills Coding concepts Internet safety Computational thinking | Canada |
Actua: STEM programming (Actua, 2022) | Structured lesson plans and educational resources Full-time bootcamp programs Part-time extracurricular programs | A network of 35 university and college members that deliver coding and digital skills programming Programming includes school workshops, summer camps, after-school programs, year-round clubs, and community outreach initiatives for youth in Grades K–12 in every Canadian province and territory | App creation Robotics Artificial intelligence Big data | Canada |
Media Smarts: A Day in the Life of the Jos (Maqsood & Chiasson, 2021) | Structured lesson plans and educational resources | A classroom-based cybersecurity, privacy, and digital literacy game for elementary school students | Cyberbullying Data privacy Online reputation Privacy and ethics Verifying the veracity of information online | Canada |
Online learning | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Media Smarts: Use, Understand, Create (Media Smarts, 2022) | School-based digital literacy workshops Structured lesson plans and educational resources | A framework developed for teaching digital media literacy in Canadian schools Provides teachers with supporting lessons and interactive resources that are linked to curriculum outcomes for every province and territory | Ethics and empathy Privacy and security Community engagement Digital health Consumer awareness Finding and verifying Making and remixing | Canada |