Are You Digitally Lit(erate)?
If you’re a teen or a millennial like me, you grew up with technology all around you – from the very beginnings of the Internet to all the “smart” phones/watches/things we now use on the daily.
As a result, there’s this common misconception that the youngest person is always the most digitally literate. And while sometimes that is the case, if we’re being honest, there are times when we don’t have all the answers as to why your eBook isn’t showing up on your eReader!
Being digitally literate doesn’t just mean knowing how to use a computer – it means so much more than that. It means being able to know how to use tech, use troubleshooting and problem solving skills when bugs arise, think critically about the implications of our online actions, and to know how to share our projects digitally. Toronto Public Library feels that this so important that we’ve teamed up with the City of Toronto and other partnered communities and organizations to celebrate Digital Literacy Day on May 31, 2018 by hosting programs that showcase our digital and technology resources and staff expertise.
For youth in particular, Youth Hubs are a great safe space for all youth 13-19 to try out new tech. Youth Hubs run in the library after school and many of the activities make use of the technology that the Youth Hub owns, including laptops, gaming consoles, digital cameras, DJ equipment, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets and more!
Some of the amazing teen workshops being offered on Digital Literacy Day (May 31, 2018) include:
Getting Started with Java Using Alice at York Woods Branch
A workshop for individuals with little or no programming experience, instructors will teach basic Java programming concepts through developing 3-D animations in Alice 3.1. Presented by Oracle.
Digital Literacy Day with Nia Technologies at Runnymede Branch
Learn how digital tools like a 3D printer or Virtual Reality can improve the lives of young people with disabilities. Presented by Nia Technologies.
Interactive Fiction for Teens with Twine at Port Union Branch
Create your own interactive fiction using Twine, an open-source hypertext storytelling tool.
Hack a Computer at Centennial Branch
Literally hack into a computer by disassembling it to see its different parts and how a computer works. Presented by Free Geek Toronto.
If you can’t make it out for Digital Literacy Day, check out these other programs that may tickle your tech fancy:
What the Tech?! Code a Bot at Bloor/Gladstone Branch
Learn to program a two-wheeled robot using an Arduino microtroller. Part of the larger What the Tech series.
Girlz Got Skillz – STEM Program at Malvern Branch
Just for teen girls, design and create innovative solutions with Technovation Academy of Science and Technology.
Digital Literacy + Coding at Centennial Branch
Design and build websites, apps and more using code. A two-week summer intensive presented in partnership with Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship.
Don’t forget to share how you’re keeping digitally lit by tagging us on social media!
This article is posted on behalf of Youth Hub Librarian Teresa Leung.
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