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Devices are a key cost driver in educational technology. All devices have unique capabilities and limitations. Decisions on which device to purchase should be informed not only by cost, but also by the device capability and the age of the student.
Digital literacy is essential both to prepare students for personal and civic efficacy in the twenty-first century, and to prepare and inspire a much larger and more diverse number of students to pursue the innovative and creative careers of the future. The abilities to effectively use and create technology to solve complex problems are the new and essential literacy skills of the twenty-first century.
The state's 2016 Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) standards define digital literacy as the ability to:
Digital citizenship, by contrast, refers to the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to the use of technology.
Students should have regular opportunities to learn and apply digital literacy knowledge, reasoning, and skills throughout the year; likewise, students should receive instruction in and be able to demonstrate good digital citizenship skills whenever (and wherever) they use technology. The following resources can help educators, students, and parents/guardians identify learning opportunities in digital literacy and citizenship.
Many students are taking online courses, and many schools are thinking about offering them. DESE strongly encourages parents/guardians to consult with their child's public school prior to enrolling their child in a course offered by a private virtual school. In addition to asking whether their child will be able to earn credit(s) toward his or her high school diploma (and how much), they should ask whether their child's grade in the course will be calculated in his or her grade point average (GPA), if the public school calculates GPAs. Parents/guardians are urged to always seek written approval from the public school before enrolling their child in courses offered by private virtual schools. The Parent's Guide to Choosing the Right Online Program from the International Association for K–12 Online Learning (iNACOL)] can help parents/guardians make informed decisions.
For districts, a variety of resources exist to evaluate the quality and accessibility of online courses, including:
For online instructor quality, consult: