Unlocking the Potential of Title II & IV Funding for

BeyondK12.com Digital Literacy & Computer Science Curriculum and Training

I had a high school computer science teacher tell me this week 

 “Students who are taught digital literacy and basic computer science in K-8 are high school teachers’ dream students.”

I laughed and wished I could make his dream come true for every student. The students that come to high school with a foundation in digital literacy and computer science make this particular teacher and his peers thrilled. 

But funding of these programs can get in the way of providing quality digital literacy education. There is federal funding source for both private and public schools.

LET’S TALK ABOUT FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS

This can be a big stumbling block when it comes to providing quality digital literacy education to our students. I’ve said it before, our students might be named ‘digital natives’ but that does not mean they have been encouraged to grow in computational thinking, solve puzzles, ready to type a quality paper using MLA or APA formatted research paper, discover fake news, understand how AI can help others and its risks, keep their passwords safe or have a strong knowledge base on productive software. There is much to be taught to our students when it comes to digital literacy.

So how do we fund it? There are different avenues of funding. Today let’s talk about Title II and Title IV.

TITLE II FUNDING SOURCE

Title II is where the magic happens in professional development and conferences. Beyond Technology Education has an innovators conference every summer in July for technology training.

Each year educators at the conference are equipped in digital literacy, our curriculum, computer science, AI, and leadership. This professional development is a full, three days where teachers collaborate and learn the skills necessary to teach our digital literacy/computer science curriculum. 

TITLE IV FUNDING SOURCE

Title IV funding is broken down into different categories. I’m going to explain those below:

Title IV has opportunities for professional development, but their magic is in the funding of the curriculum. 

Title IV: Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities

Beyondk12.com offers comprehensive curriculum packages that enhance a well-rounded education (Part A). Beyondk12’s digital literacy and computer science curriculum incorporates social-emotional learning with computational thinking into every technology project. We know that the skills of active listening, collaboration, being kind, and work ethics are important for life as well as the workplace. Students will tackle the ethics and understanding of AI in the primary grades as they learn to work together and produce honest work. Computation thinking develops students’ ability to solve complex puzzles, and problems. At the same time students are working with others in real life situations.

Title IV: Effective Use of Technology & Digital Literacy

Beyond Technology Education curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop what we call a full stack of learning in digital literacy and computer science. They will use real life applications such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office. Canva is used for color theory, design theory, graphic arts and more. Research skills and digital citizenship are weaved throughout this 36 week course. 

Also, Beyond Technology Education curriculum can be used to teach the use of technology effectively in the classroom to inform instruction, support teacher collaborations, and personalize learning with resources to benefit high-quality digital learning opportunities. As well as deliver specialized or rigorous academic technology courses. After a time spent with subject or grade level instructors, our highly trained team of instructional designers will craft the perfect immersion project for your school. This also can be funded by Title IV funding.

With the right funding, schools can provide effective digital literacy and computer science education to prepare students for their digital life in the future of work!