Learning Activity 1.1: Connectivity

Introduction

Welcome to ICD2O! The goal of this course is to allow you to develop the knowledge and skills related to digital technology and computer programming that will support you in contributing to and leading the global economic, scientific, and societal innovations of tomorrow. Digital technologies play a major part in all aspects of our lives, and this course will support you in understanding how those digital technologies work and how they can be used and developed for the common good of society.

Illustration of people using technology around the globe.

This course enables you to explore how to use computing and critical thinking to address issues that are meaningful to you and your communities, and how to move from being a consumer of digital technologies to becoming an empowered creator.

In this course, you will learn and apply coding concepts and skills to build hands-on projects and investigate artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging digital technologies that connect to a wide range of fields and careers. Using critical thinking skills with a focus on digital citizenship, you will investigate the appropriate use and development of the digital technologies that you encounter every day, as well as the benefits and limitations of these technologies.

In Unit 1, we will examine the Bold text startInternet of ThingsBold text End. In subsequent units, we will be exploring an introduction to coding, emerging technologies, and coding revisited.

In this learning activity, you will be exploring what the Internet of Things is and begin to explore how these devices have changed our lives and the world around us.

Connectivity

We hope you will enjoy exploring the ever-changing world of computing. Before we begin, take some time and consider how you are very much a part of, and connected to the internet.

Think

As we begin our journey, take a few moments to reflect on how you connect to the internet daily. What tools do you use? What benefits are these tools providing to your life? If available, share your ideas with a friend or family member. This will strengthen your communication skills.

To best support your learning from one unit to the next, you may find it helpful to create a learning journal.

Learning journal

As you progress through the course, you will use a tool to help you record your thoughts and ideas. Whenever you encounter the Bold text startlearning journal iconBold text End, you are encouraged to record your thinking and any other important information. How you use your journal is ultimately up to you!

Your learning journal entries can be presented in a variety of ways. They do not all need to be in the same format.

Press the Bold text startFormat SuggestionsBold text End button to know more.

handwritten journal
digital journal
video recordings
audio recordings
pictures and diagrams

Your learning journal will be an important way to organize your learning. The content should be organized in a way that makes the most sense to you and will likely vary depending on the topic. This is a personal decision based on how you learn best, but it is important that you have a consistent place for your notes.

Press the Bold text startContent SuggestionsBold text End button to know more.

tables
T-charts to compare or contrast
mind maps
flow charts

Ideally, you should record your answers in a way that will make sharing and accessibility easy as we progress through the course. Feel free to include images and even links to videos and resources directly in your journal.

Keeping organized will help you stay on track with your learning from start to finish!

What you should include in your journal

Each journal entry should include the following:

Bold text startPart 1:Bold text End Unit and learning activity number
Bold text startPart 2:Bold text End Identification of the prompt you are choosing to answer
Bold text startPart 3: Bold text EndThe required content, written by you with evidence of your learning

How you organize the three parts is up to you!

At the end of each learning activity, you should collect your learning journals in a safe place and refer to them for future reference.

Discover more

What is digital connectivity? Use your favourite search engine to help you define the following terms in your own words:

Digital Connectivity
The Internet of Things (IoT)

Now that you have a better understanding of what digital connectivity is, think about how you interact with a digitally connected item in your everyday life.

Learning journal

Digitally connected items in our daily lives

Create a description of a digitally connected item that helps (or would help) you in your daily life. Consider the following questions when formulating your answer:

What is the item?
How does it affect your daily life?
If this item is something you want to use instead of something you already use, how would your day change if you were to have the item?

Learning skills and work habits reflection

Success in this course can take many shapes and forms. One way of tracking your progress is to reflect on how you are using the 6 Learning Skills and Work Habits (Opens in a new tab).

Press the following tabs to learn more about each and how they apply to your success in this course.

Responsibility

The student completes and submits assignments based on timelines they set for themselves.

Organization

Independent work

Collaboration

Initiative

Self-regulation

Take a moment and reflect on how you can successfully apply any of the Bold text start6 Learning Skills and Work HabitsBold text End in this learning activity and throughout the course.

Acknowledgements(Opens in a new tab)

All about IoT and everyday life

Discover more

Use your favourite search engine to search for other examples of IoT devices. Check for devices used in different industries such as sports, environment, medicine, entertainment, and education.

IoT devices on a living room media unit.

How do IoT devices connect

Press the following tabs to explore the following questions which explain some of the connectivity methods for IoT devices.

How does IoT connectivity work?

A smart device that contains processors, sensors, and communication hardware is considered an IoT device. The device will collect, send, and act on data collected. Data is either sent via an IoT gateway to the cloud or used locally. Sometimes, IoT devices communicate with each other to complete tasks. IoT devices are intended to complete tasks without human intervention after they are set up.

What type of connections are used for IoT?

It may seem obvious that a connection to the internet is important for an IoT device. There are, however, many options when it comes to choosing how the IoT device will connect to the internet. The designer must weigh the pros and cons of each method based on what the device will do before choosing a connection method. Some examples of these options are cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, LPWAN, and Ethernet. Within some of these options, the designer must also choose a provider such as Bell or Rogers in the case of cellular services.

Do IoT devices require an internet connection?

The internet is only one of the ways that devices communicate with other devices and humans.

Here are a few examples of data being exchanged without an internet connection:

A car transmits its location to the smart city infrastructure system which, in turn, sends back information about traffic conditions.
A sensor in a water pipe detects leaks and sends alerts to a mobile phone.
A self-driving car transmits its location and status back to headquarters.

Is IoT wired or wireless?

IoT can be wired or wireless. Usually, an ethernet cable is used to connect a device by wire. The decision of whether to connect via wire or wireless is based on a number of factors.

Bold text startWhy choose wired connectivity?Bold text End

Reliability – The device is less likely to drop the connection, and the connection will not require debugging.
Speed – Wired connection is less affected by signal interference and speed is not dependent on the distance the signal needs to travel.
Security – Data will not be broadcast, so it is not at risk of being hacked.

Bold text startWhy wires may not be a good choice?Bold text End

Cost – Connecting via a wire can be expensive due to labour costs and replacement costs if the wire is damaged or needs an upgrade.
Mobility – Once the wire is installed, the device can only move as far as the wire will allow.

Bold text startWhy choose wireless connectivity?Bold text End

Set Up – It is a lot easier to set up a wireless connection than it is to install the cables needed for a wired connection.
Cost-Effective – Money can be saved on installing the cables.

Bold text startWhy wireless may not be a good choice?Bold text End

Interference – The connection between wireless devices can be interrupted by other devices close by, causing a reduction in connection quality.
Speed – A wireless connection will not be as fast as a wired connection, and speeds can be impacted by proximity and obstacles such as walls and furniture.

Learning journal

Take some time and add some information to your first learning journal. Use the following prompts to record your learning so far about IoT connectivity.

IoT Connectivity

Describe the types of ways IoT devices connect.
Write a short description of the decisions designers need to consider when designing an IoT object.

Using IoT to empower Indigenous voices

Indigenous language is at risk of becoming extinct. By using new technologies, the languages can be preserved and passed down to future generations. One example of this application of technology was created by Danielle Boyer.

Career connection: Robotics inventor

Meet Bold text startDanielle BoyerBold text End, an Ojibwe Robotics Inventor who makes robots and gives them away. Danielle is working to make technical and cultural education more accessible for Indigenous youth. Danielle founded The Steam Connection, a robotics education startup, which works to make technical education accessible for youth through the power of robotics. Danielle started by designing and using a 3D printer to create robots. Danielle has been named one of PEOPLE Magazine’s Girls Changing the World, a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth, an MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellow, and a Verizon Forward for Good Winner for her invention of biodegradable robotics components.

Danielle Boyer surrounded by robotic materials that her company, The STEAM Connection, design and manufactures. — Danielle Boyer, 2022

Danielle became passionate about creating access to education after witnessing the inequalities impacting the community. Danielle and the Steam Connection work to create environmentally sustainable robots. One example of this is a robot that sorts recyclables. Another way that Danielle is creating accessibility is by creating Bold text startSkoBotsBold text End, which is a wearable Indigenous language learning robot that sits on your shoulder and speaks languages.

To learn more about Danielle’s mission and SkoBots, explore the following video.

Bold text startNote:Bold text End in the video, there is mention of residential schools.

The Big Idea - Episode 3 - Indigenous Robotics

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A young adult wears a pastel headscarf over their black hair, with a long braid over their left shoulder. They wear a grey shirt. They walk on a street past houses.

[Birds chirp]

The young adult narrates, I OFTEN FEEL LIKE I EXIST WITHIN TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS.

The young adult walks on a sidewalk beside a wide street. A tractor-trailer drives past.

[Engine rumbling]

The young adult narrates, I LIVE IN SO-CALLED AMERICA, BUT I'M NOT AMERICAN. I DON'T SEE MYSELF THAT WAY. BEING OJIBWE IS WHO I AM, BUT OFTEN I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BE SOMETHING ELSE TO EXIST IN THE WORLD.

Black-and-white video footage shows a person in a suit holding a wide-brimmed hat. A group of young adults with bobbed hair stand unhappily in rows to the side of the person holding the hat.

[Reel rattles]

The young adult narrates, THINGS LIKE OUR LANGUAGE WERE CRIMINALIZED UP UNTIL RECENTLY.

In black-and-white video footage, children sit at desks. A teacher stands at the front of a classroom and holds up a strip of paper.

The teacher says, NOW LET'S PICK UP WITH THE ENGLISH LESSON.

The children say, ON THE PONY. GRANDFATHER.

The teacher says, THAT'S BETTER.

One child watches the others read the words on the paper.

The children say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

The young adult sits at a table. They carefully screw a pink panel into the head of a small robot.

[Clicking]

The young adult narrates, MY FEAR IS THAT OUR FUTURE WILL NOT INCLUDE OUR CULTURE AND OUR VOICE, AND SO THIS YEAR I'M CREATING A ROBOT FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTHS, AND THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE ROBOT SPEAK TO STUDENTS IN THEIR LANGUAGES.

In Phoenix, Arizona, tall buildings rise in front of distant mountains.

[Flute music playing]

Inside a conference hall, a person plays a flute on a stage. Text reads, â€œAmerican Indian Science and Engineering Society. Annual Convention.â€

A host stands at a podium at the front of the room. They have short black hair and wear a grey suit, eyeglasses, a white shirt, and a salmon necktie.

The host says, GOOD MORNING, AISES CONFERENCE ATTENDEES. GIVE YOURSELVES A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR BEING HERE.

[Applause]

The host says, LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM. IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU AND THE DESIRE YOU HAVE THAT CAN HELP OUR PEOPLE TO SURVIVE AND CONTINUE TO BE RESILIENT.

The young adult stands at a counter. Behind a glass panel, a seated person wears a black face mask and a blue shirt.

The person with the face mask asks, YEAH, WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME?

The young adult says, BOYER, B-O-Y-E-R.

The person with the face mask says, OKAY.

At the conference, people walk around a room. Boyer pulls a suitcase behind them as they walk down a hallway.

[Background chatter]

Boyer narrates, SO THE AISES CONFERENCE IS A TECH CONFERENCE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. I'M ACTUALLY HERE RIGHT NOW TO LAUNCH A NEW ROBOT CALLED SKOBOTS.

Boyer stands by a table and lifts robot parts from a box. On the other side of the table stand two people.

Boyer says, THIS RIGHT HERE IS A SPEAKER, IT'S MAGNETIC. AND THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT'S INSIDE OF THE ROBOT.

Boyer narrates, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR A WHILE WITH VOLUNTEERS TO MY ORGANIZATION.

At the table, Boyer person leans forward as a second person uses a screwdriver on a part of the robot.

Boyer says, YEAH, SANDWICH-- IRON ON ONE SIDE, SOLDER ON THE OTHER.

There are other examples of how Indigenous peoples are empowering themselves with the use of IoT.

Read

Spend some time reading through the following resource titled Indigenous Peoples Teach the World First Nations Wisdom Through Technology(Opens in a new tab) to learn how a group of Indigenous peoples are using technology for storytelling and building cultural connections.

Recall the first learning journal prompt in the Minds On section when you shared a description of a Bold text startdigitally connected itemBold text End that helps (or would help) you in your daily life. Think of how that object may contribute to a group of people’s lives or can change how we live.

Discover more

If your original object meets the criteria of contributing to society or changing how we live, you might find it helpful to search online to learn more about another IoT device that contributes to a group of people's lives.

Once you have spent some time thinking about your selected device, record your findings in the next learning journal entry.

Learning journal

In your learning journal, identify who would or does benefit from the use of your chosen IoT device. Record how this device contributes to a group of people's lives or changes how a group of people live. How does this device connect to a network? Describe the advantages of using this device as well as any disadvantages.

Assessing our understanding of IoT devices

Learning journal

Digitally connected items and society

Bold text startPart 1Bold text End

Now that you have spent some time researching how your object contributes to society, consider the following information and add any further detail to your previous journal entry:

What is the item?
How does it affect your daily life?
If this item is something you want to use instead of something you have used, how would your day change if you were to have the item?
What are its functions?
How would it integrate into the user's life?
How does this device contribute to a group of people's lives or change how a group of people live?
How does it connect to the internet?
What are the advantages of using this device? Are there any disadvantages?

IoT compared to non IoT devices

Learning journal

Add to your learning journal a comparison chart comparing the features and benefits of the connected device and a similar non-connected device. What are the pros and cons of each?

A template of four boxes: Top left titled pro of IoT device, top right con of IoT device, bottom left pro of non IoT device, and bottom right con of non IoT device.

Bold text startConsiderations may include:Bold text End

costs
security
features
ease of use
reliability
resource use

Portfolio

When you are ready, take some time to review the learning journal entries from this learning activity. If available, share your entries with a friend or family member. This will strengthen your comprehension of new concepts and develop your communication skills.

Self-check quiz

Check your understanding!

Complete the following self-check quiz to determine where you are in your learning and what areas you need to focus on.

This quiz is for feedback only, not part of your grade. You have unlimited attempts on this quiz. Take your time, do your best work, and reflect on any feedback provided.

Press Bold text startQuizBold text End to access this tool.

Learning skills reflection

It is important to reflect on your learning at the end of each learning activity. It will help you understand where you are in your learning and what areas you may need to review further. Take a moment and reflect on how you have used any of the 6 Learning Skills and Work Habits (Opens in a new tab) in this learning activity.

You may wish to begin thinking about how you can develop and implement these Learning Skills and Work Habits in the next learning activity.

Conclusion

In this learning activity, you have learned about what the Internet of Things (IoT) is and have begun to explore some of the benefits and drawbacks of these technologies.

In the next learning activity, you will explore how to find good data online and use critical thinking skills to determine which products might be right for you.

Connecting to transferable skills

Ontario worked with other provinces in Canada to outline a set of competencies that are requirements to thrive. Ontario then developed its transferable skills framework as a set of skills for students to develop over time. These competencies are ones that are important to have in order to be successful in today’s world.

Read the following document entitled Transferable Skills Outline (Opens in a new tab) to explore the framework and the descriptors for each skill. Download, print, or copy the information in the document into your notes - you'll refer to it in each unit.

Press the following tabs to explore the skills.

Critical thinking and problem solving

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Explore the following video to learn more about critical thinking and problem solving.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_CriticalThinking

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Definition

Critical thinking and problem solving involve examining complex issues and problems from a variety of different points of view in order to make informed judgments and decisions. Learning is deeper when the experiences are meaningful, real world, and authentic.

Students consistently:

solve meaningful, real-life problems
take steps to organize, design, and manage projects using inquiry processes
analyze information to make informed decisions
see patterns, make connections, and transfer learning from one situation to another
see the connections between social, economic, and ecological systems

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship

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TransferableSkills_Ministry_Innovation

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Definition

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship involve the ability to turn ideas into action to meet the needs of a community. The ability to contribute new-to-the-world thinking and solutions to solve complex problems involves leadership, risk taking, and independent/unconventional thinking. Experimenting with new strategies, techniques, and perspectives through research is part of this skill set.

Students consistently:

formulate insightful questions to generate opinions
take risks in thinking; experiment to find new ways of doing things
demonstrate leadership in a range of creative projects
motivate others in an ethical and entrepreneurial spirit

Self-directed learning

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Access the following video to learn more about self-directed learning.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_SelfDirectedLearning

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Definition

Self-directed learning means: becoming aware and demonstrating ownership in your learning. Belief in your ability to learn (growth mindset), combined with strategies for planning, monitoring, and reflecting on your past, present, and future goals promote lifelong learning, well-being, and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

Students consistently:

are aware of how they learn best
ask for support when needed
set goals and make a plan to achieve their goals
practice new skills they want to improve
reflect on their own learning to determine strengths
learn to adapt to change and become resilient in the face of adversity
become managers of different aspects of their lives to enhance their health and overall well being

Collaboration

Explore this!

Explore the following video to learn more about collaboration.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_Collaboration

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A narrator says,
â€œCOLLABORATION.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A TEAM
THAT HAD A CLEAR GOAL?
MAYBE YOU WERE PART
OF THE SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM
WITH AN OBJECTIVE TO WIN
A REGIONAL TOURNAMENT.
OR, YOU JOINED THE SCHOOL
NEWSPAPER CLUB,
AND THE GOAL
WAS ONGOING,
LIKE DELIVERING GREAT STORIES
TO YOUR READERS EVERY WEEK.â€

A person shows their computer
screen to classmates on a patch of grass.

The narrator adds,
â€œTO REALIZE EITHER
OF THESE GOALS,
TEAM MEMBERS NEED TO
COME TOGETHER TO SHARE IDEAS,
LEARN FROM EACH OTHER,
AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES.â€

Soccer players watch as their coach
explains information written on
a clipboard.

The narrator continues,
â€œIN OTHER WORDS,
THESE GOALS CANNOT BE REACHED
WITH THE EFFORTS
OF ONE PERSON.
EVERYONE INVOLVED MUST
CONTRIBUTE AND COLLABORATE
FOR THE TEAM TO
BE SUCCESSFUL.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
WHEN YOU USE YOUR COLLABORATION
SKILLS, YOU:
PARTICIPATE IN TEAMS IN
RESPECTFUL AND POSITIVE WAYS,
LEARN FROM OTHERS,
CONTRIBUTE TO THE LEARNING
OF OTHERS,
ASSUME VARIOUS ROLES
ON A TEAM AS NEEDED,
BEING RESPECTFUL OF A DIVERSITY
OF PERSPECTIVES
INCLUDING INDIGENOUS
WAYS OF KNOWING.
ADDRESS DISAGREEMENTS
AND MANAGE CONFLICT
IN SENSITIVE
AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS.
NETWORK WITH A VARIETY OF PEOPLE
AND GROUPS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.â€

The narrator says,
â€œWHETHER IT'S A SOCCER TEAM
TRYING TO WIN
A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP,
OR A NEWSPAPER CLUB
COMMITTED TO DELIVERING
EXCELLENT WEEKLY STORIES,
EACH TEAM WILL WORK TOGETHER
REGULARLY.
THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION,
TEAM MEMBERS
SHARE IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE,
AGREE AND DISAGREE,
AND AT THE END OF IT ALL,
CREATE AND EXECUTE A PLAN THAT
PUTS THEM ON A PATH TO SUCCESS.â€

The narrator states,
â€œTHIS ISN'T EASY, BUT WITH GOOD
COLLABORATION SKILLS,
TEAM MEMBERS HAVE RESPECTFUL,
OPEN-MINDED,
AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDES,
AND THAT CONTRIBUTES TO
A HEALTHY TEAM ENVIRONMENT.
AND IT'S THIS ENVIRONMENT
THAT BETTER POSITIONS
EACH INDIVIDUAL TO ACHIEVE
A GOAL THAT CAN ONLY BE REALIZED
WITH THE SUPPORT
AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHERS.â€

Definition

Collaboration involves participating ethically and effectively in teams. Being versatile across different situations, roles, groups, and perspectives allows you to co-construct knowledge, meaning, content, and learn from, and with others in physical and online spaces.

Students consistently:

participate in teams in respectful and positive ways
learn from others; contribute to the learning of others
assume various roles on a team as needed being respectful of a diversity of perspectives including Indigenous ways of knowing
address disagreements and manage conflict in sensitive and constructive ways
network with a variety of people and groups on an ongoing basis

Communication

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Check out the following video to learn more about communication.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_Communication

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A narrator says, COMMUNICATION.

(Upbeat music plays)

The narrator says, OH, NO!
I DIDN'T MEAN IT THAT WAY.
HAVE THOSE THOUGHTS
EVER CROSSED YOUR MIND
WHEN READING SOME COMMENTS ON
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS?
HAVE YOU EVER POSTED
SOMETHING THAT WAS
INTERPRETED DIFFERENTLY
THAN HOW YOU INTENDED?
BEFORE YOU SHARE, YOU LIKELY
HAVE AN IDEA OF YOUR
MESSAGE AND TONE
AND AUDIENCE.

A person looks stressed in front of their computer.

The narrator continues, PERHAPS YOU WANT
TO ASK FOR HELP AT A
LOCAL FOODBANK WHERE
YOU VOLUNTEER,
OR YOU POSTED A PICTURE OF A SAD
PUPPY WITH NO CAPTION.
BUT WILL YOUR FRIENDS
UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN?
AND IF THEY DON'T,
COULD THAT BE A PROBLEM?

The narrator reads a list of bullet points on the screen.
DEVELOPING STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS
HELPS US TO CONVEY OUR THOUGHTS AND
FEELINGS WITH EFFECTIVENESS, SENSITIVITY
AND APPROPRIATENESS. SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

The narrator reads more points, AS YOU IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS,
YOU COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY IN A VARIETY OF
MEDIA. USE DIGITAL TOOLS APPROPRIATELY TO
CREATE A POSITIVE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT. LISTEN,
TO UNDERSTAND. ASK EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS AND
UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE.

The narrator continues WHEN YOU DEVELOP STRONG
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS,
YOU LESSEN THE CHANCE OF
MISINTERPRETATION.

People scroll on their phones.

The narrator says, ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
THIS MEANS HOW YOU WANTED TO
EXPRESS YOURSELF IS BEING
RECEIVED AS YOU INTENDED.
YOU GET AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT
OF SUPPORT FROM YOUR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO
VOLUNTEER AT THE FOOD BANK
BECAUSE OF A HEARTFELT AND
INFORMATIVE CAPTION.

The narrator says, YOUR FRIENDS WRONGLY ASSUMED YOU
WERE UPSET
BECAUSE OF THE SAD PUPPY
PICTURE,
BUT YOU JUST THOUGHT
IT WAS CUTE.
WITH STRONG
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS,
YOU'LL HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF
THE IMPACT OF YOUR POSTS,
INCLUDING HOW THEY
MIGHT AFFECT OTHERS,
AND WHAT THEY MIGHT LOOK LIKE TO
DIFFERENT AUDIENCES
LIKE FAMILY MEMBERS
OR EMPLOYERS.

A person smiles.

WHETHER IT'S ONLINE
OR IN PERSON,
MORE DEVELOPED COMMUNICATIONS
SKILLS HELP YOU TO CONNECT
WITH OTHERS AND SHARE
YOUR GREAT IDEAS.

The person smiling scrolls on their phone.

Definition

Communication involves receiving and expressing meaning (e.g., reading and writing, viewing and creating, listening and speaking) in different contexts and with different audiences and purposes. Effective communication increasingly involves understanding both local and global perspectives, including using a variety of media appropriately, responsibly, and safely with regard to your digital footprint.

Students consistently:

communicate effectively in a variety of media
use digital tools appropriately to create a positive digital footprint
listen to understand
ask effective questions
understand the cultural importance of language

Global citizenship and sustainability

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Access the following video to learn more about global citizenship and sustainability.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_GlobalCitizenship

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Definition

Global citizenship and sustainability involve understanding diverse worldviews and perspectives in order to address political, ecological, social, and economic issues that are crucial to living in a in a sustainable world. Being aware of what it means to be an engaged citizen and how the appreciation for the diversity of people and perspectives contributes to a sustainable world are part of this skill set.

Students consistently:

take actions and make responsible decisions to support the quality of life for all
understand the histories, knowledge, contributions, and inherent rights of Indigenous people
recognize discrimination and work to promote the principles of equity
contribute to their local and global community
participate in an inclusive, accountable, sustainable, and ethical manner, both in groups and in online networks

Digital literacy

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Explore the following video to learn more about digital literacy.

TransferableSkills_Ministry_DigitalLiteracy

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A narrator says,
“DIGITAL LITERACY.
IMAGINE THAT YOU'VE
STARTED A NEW JOB.
YOUR NEW EMPLOYER MAKES USE OF
SEVERAL DIGITAL TOOLS,
INCLUDING AN INFORMATION
DATABASE,
AN INSTANT MESSAGING SERVICE,
AND A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS
THAT HELP EMPLOYEES TO PERFORM
THEIR DUTIES.
ALL THE NEW TOOLS
MAY SEEM OVERWHELMING.”

A person renders a 3D object on a desktop computer.

The narrator continues,
“WITH DIGITAL LITERACY,
YOU WILL HAVE THE SKILLS
AND CONFIDENCE TO ADAPT TO
AND EFFECTIVELY USE
THESE TOOLS IN
YOUR NEW WORKPLACE.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Bulleted points appear on the screen and the narrator reads
"DIGITAL LITERACY INVOLVES:
SELECTING AND USING APPROPRIATE
DIGITAL TOOLS
TO COLLABORATE,
COMMUNICATE,
CREATE, INNOVATE,
AND SOLVE PROBLEMS;
USING TECHNOLOGY IN A WAY
THAT IS CONSISTENT
WITH SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING;
USING DIGITAL TOOLS EFFECTIVELY
TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
AND INFORM OUR DECISIONS;
DEMONSTRATING A WILLINGNESS AND
CONFIDENCE TO EXPLORE NEW
OR UNFAMILIAR DIGITAL TOOLS
AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES;
MANAGING YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
BY ENGAGING IN SOCIAL MEDIA
AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES
RESPECTFULLY,
INCLUSIVELY, SAFELY,
LEGALLY, AND ETHICALLY.”

The narrator continues,
“WITH DEVELOPED DIGITAL
LITERACY SKILLS,
YOU WILL REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE
OF UNDERSTANDING
THE DIGITAL TOOLS AT
YOUR NEW WORKPLACE.
SO BY ASKING QUESTIONS,
OBSERVING,
AND PRACTICING,
YOU WILL BECOME COMFORTABLE
WITH YOUR EMPLOYER'S
DIGITAL TOOLS.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO USE THE
INFORMATION IN THE DATABASE
TO INFORM YOUR DECISIONS
AND DISCUSSIONS.
YOU'LL ALSO BE ABLE
TO COMMUNICATE
APPROPRIATELY AT WORK,
DETERMINING WHEN IT MIGHT BE
MOST EFFECTIVE TO USE
THE INSTANT MESSAGING SERVICE,
AND WHEN OTHER MEANS OF
COMMUNICATION LIKE EMAIL,
FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION
MAY BE MORE USEFUL.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE
VARIETY OF PROGRAMS
TO SKILLFULLY CREATE MATERIALS
AND SOLVE PROBLEMS AT WORK.
YOU DID IT!”

The narrator states,
“AS YOU DEVELOP DIGITAL
LITERACY SKILLS,
TECHNOLOGY BECOMES AN
INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT
AND POWERFUL ASSET TO HELP YOU
TO ADAPT TO AND THRIVE
IN THE WORKPLACE,
AND THE WORLD IN WHICH YOU LIVE.”

A person smiles while looking at a laptop screen.

Definition

Digital literacy involves the ability to solve problems using technology in a safe, legal, and ethically responsible manner. Digitally literate students recognize the rights and responsibilities, as well as the opportunities, that come with living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world.

Students consistently:

select and use appropriate digital tools to collaborate, communicate, create, innovate, and solve problems
use technology in a way that is consistent with supporting their mental health and well-being
use digital tools effectively to solve problems and inform decisions
demonstrate a willingness and confidence to explore new or unfamiliar digital tools and emerging technologies
manage their digital footprint by engaging in social media and online communities respectfully, inclusively, safely, legally, and ethically

The transferable skills described in these videos have been adapted from the Ministry‘s definitions and descriptions that are available for viewing on the Ministry of Education‘s Curriculum and Resources site: Transferable Skills(Opens in a new tab)

Note the indicators that you think you will develop in this course. Throughout this course, you should revisit these skills to reflect on which ones you develop and if your original predictions were correct.

As you continue through this unit and the rest of the course, keep your notebook updated and be mindful of opportunities to apply and develop transferable skills.