Leadership and Vision

Empowering Digital Citizens: Digital Literacy for All

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM PT

Location: 404 / Entiat

Target Audience: Instructional/Educational Technology Leaders; Superintendents & Senior Cabinet leaders (CBO/CFO/CAO/CTO/CIO);

Speaker(s)

Stacy Hawthorne, EdD, CETL

Executive Director
EdTech Leaders Alliance
North Richland Hills, Texas

In an era where the average American encounters over 4,000 media messages daily, digital literacy has become an essential skill for all. According to Kellner & Share (2007), "Critical media literacy is an educational response that expands the notion of literacy to include different forms of mass communication, popular culture, and new technologies. It deepens the potential of literacy education to critically analyze relationships between media and audiences, information, and power." Despite its importance, only 20 states have legislation mandating digital/media education in K-12.

In this session, we will explore the significant role digital literacy plays in preparing students to navigate and critically assess the vast amounts of information they encounter daily. Participants will gain insights into the latest legislative developments, access a comprehensive tracker of digital/media literacy legislative activity, and explore a wealth of resources designed to support the integration of digital literacy into curricula.

Key Take Aways:

Comprehensive Understanding:

Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of digital and media literacy, recognizing its critical importance in the K-12 curriculum.
Legislative Insights:

Attendees will learn about the current state of digital/media literacy legislation and legislative activity across all 50 states, providing a clear picture of the national landscape.
Practical Resources:

Attendees will leave with a portfolio of actionable resources and tools to effectively integrate digital and media literacy into their districts, schools, and classrooms.