Lifelong Practices for Digital Literacy and Fluency

Welcome to the "Lifelong Practices for Digital Literacy and Fluency" Pathway

Here, you'll find a variety of professional learning selections designed to support our K-12 educators and administrators in implementing the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency (CSDF) Standards. These standards are essential for preparing students to thrive in a technology-driven world.

Explore our tiered learning path to progressively build your expertise and earn badges, or simply sign up for a standalone session that aligns with your needs. We invite you to join us in mastering the five key concepts—Impacts of Computing, Computational Thinking, Networks & System Design, Cybersecurity, and Digital Literacy—and empowering the next generation of digitally fluent citizens.

Level 1: Foundational Skills

This level is about building a baseline understanding of the five core concepts and demystify the language of the standards.

Level 2: Intermediate Skills

This level is for teachers who are ready to move from identifying connections to intentionally designing and delivering lessons that explicitly teach CSDF concepts.

Level 3: Advanced Skills

This level is for teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and department chairs who will guide the systemic integration of the CSDF standards.

What You Will Learn in Level 1

- Skill 1: Deconstruct the Five CSDF Concepts.
  - What it is: Teachers need to be able to define the five core concepts of the standards in plain language.
  - In Practice: provide simple analogies and subject-specific examples.
- Skill 2: Identify "Points of Entry" in Existing Curriculum.
  - What it is: The ability to look at an existing lesson plan or unit and identify natural opportunities to highlight a CSDF standard without having to reinvent the wheel.
  - In Practice: Digital literacy is integrated into core subjects (ELA, social studies, math, science).
- Skill 3: Model Core Digital Citizenship & Safety Practices.
  - What it is: Moving from personal understanding to consistently modeling best practices for students.
  - In Practice: Teachers learn and model how to create strong passwords, identify phishing attempts, respect copyright, and critically evaluate the credibility of online sources during their regular instruction.

What You Will Learn in Level 2

Skill 4: Design instruction to build computational thinking skills.
- What it is: Actively using the language and steps of Computational Thinking to structure learning activities.
- In practice: recognize ways to help students break down large problems into smaller pieces; finding trends or patterns in information, and using step by step instructions to solve problems.

Skill 5: Integrate "Unplugged" and "Plugged" Activities.
- What it is: learning to teach complex concepts through hands-on, non-digital ("unplugged") activities, making the standards accessible to every classroom, regardless of device availability.
- In Practice: facilitate activities that use both screen and non-screen-based resources.

Skill 6: Facilitate Discussions on Digital Ethics & Impact.
- What it is: moving beyond basic safety rules to facilitate deeper conversations about the societal impact of technology.
- In Practice: engaging students in "digital dilemma" conversations that address issues impacting the school community.

What You Will Learn in Level 3

Skill 7: Develop and Map a CSDF Scope & Sequence.
- What it is: Thinking vertically across grade levels to ensure a cohesive and progressive student experience with the standards.
- In Practice: leading or participating in efforts to embed CSDF standards into a school's or department's curriculum maps.

Skill 8: Evaluate Digital Tools and Curricula with a CSDF Lens.
- What it is: Using the CSDF standards as a framework for making informed decisions about technology and curriculum adoption.
- In Practice: developing rubrics based on the five CSDF concepts to evaluate new software, online resources, or instructional programs.
Skill 9: Mentor Colleagues and Foster a School-Wide Culture.
- What it is: serving as a peer leader who can support, coach, and encourage colleagues in integrating the CSDF standards.
- In Practice: curating and sharing high-quality resources aligned to the standards.

Register for Level 1 Courses

CS & DF Cybersecurity
CS & DF Digital Literacy
CS & DF Impacts of Computing
CS & DF Networks and System Design
CS & DF Computational Thinking

Complete them all? Request Your Level 1 Badge

Register for Level 2 Courses

Computer Science & Digital Fluency in the Science Class
Computer Science and Digital Fluency in the Art Class
Computer Science and Digital Fluency in the ELA Class
Computer Science and Digital Fluency in the Math Class
CS & DF in Physical Education

Complete them all? Request Your Level 2 Badge

Register for Level 3 Courses

CS & DF in Grades K-1
CS & DF in Grades 2-3
CS & DF in Grades 4-6
CS & DF in Grades 7-8

Complete them all? Request Your Level 3 Badge

How does badging work?

Once you have successfully completed all courses in a level, you can request your completion badge through this Form. You will receive a digital badge icon and a certificate that can be used as part of your professional portfolio. Each badge earned ensures the acquisition of a specific skill set that advocates for a holistic, human-centered approach to AI literacy.

Do I need to complete one badge level before advancing to the next?

No! For those interested in earning badges, levels are not meant to be strictly followed from start to finish. Rather, they provide participants with a flexible roadmap to help inform their choices over time, pace and place of learning.

What will I receive when I complete all courses in a level?

Once you complete all courses in a particular level and your attendance is marked "complete", a course registrar will provide a digital badge and certificate that you can use as part of a professional portfolio, social media profile, and/or email signature. The certificate will celebrate all the skills you have achieved for each badge level earned.

Additional Standalone Sessions

While our badging levels provide a comprehensive, structured approach to building your expertise over time, standalone sessions are perfect for supplementing your journey or diving deep into a specific topic that interests you right now. Whether you're working toward a badge or just curious, we invite you to explore and register for a session today:

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