Many schools have some sort of basic computer skills class. Often, these skills are far behind what adults need to know.
If I were designing a 2020 curriculum, I would replace a curriculum centered on word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software with skills and knowledge like the following:
- Cloud backup. Not nearly enough people know how to safely protect their digital possessions through cloud backup. There’s a way to learn this without learning it the hard way.
- Safe password management. Not nearly enough people are using safe, individual passwords for every login. Learning the mechanics and some of the tools available would go a long way towards protecting students from future fraud.
- Digital media literacy. An understanding of how online media works (both traditional online media and social media) will help students and adults make better choices with their own posting and consumption.
What digital literacy skills would you add to a high school curriculum? What would you remove? (I think word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation skills are important – but I also think they’re being covered starting in elementary school!)