Digital Smarts for Kids: University of San Agustin Iloilo and RSE Academy Team Up
In December 2022, a pivotal two-day Digital Literacy Workshop was conducted, a collaborative effort between the University of San Agustin, Iloilo, and RSE Academy. This educational venture, steered by Dr. Cheryl Dublar, was designed to equip children, particularly those aged 7 to 9, with essential digital skills for navigating the online world confidently and safely.
Engaging Digital Education for the Young
Unlike any typical workshop, this program utilized Zoom to connect with kids from various locations, providing an interactive and enjoyable learning environment. The curriculum was rich with informative talks and engaging videos, ensuring the participants understood critical concepts such as online safety, digital truthfulness, and responsible internet use.
Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Digital Tomorrow
The workshop was brought to life through the dedicated efforts of BSCE 1A students from the University of San Agustin, under Dr. Dublar’s guidance. They delved into vital topics like screen time management, cyberbullying prevention, and the importance of privacy, aiming to foster digital mindfulness among the young attendees.
The Transformative Impact of Digital Awareness
The workshop highlighted the necessity for today’s youth to grasp the intricacies of the digital landscape, emphasizing not just the fun aspects of technology but its responsible usage. Through interactive discussions, the participants were encouraged to voice their thoughts and apply critical thinking to digital scenarios, evolving from mere technology users to informed digital citizens.
Notable Outcomes and Future Prospects
Participants, including students from Sto. Domingo Elementary School, gained invaluable insights, learning to navigate online spaces with caution and wisdom. Standout attendees like Athena Lucero and Edmund Guillan exemplified the workshop’s success in instilling digital literacy at an early age.
Workshop Highlights: A Two-Day Digital Odyssey
Day 1: Setting the Foundation
The workshop commenced with hosts Arabella Padernal and Luther Araza introducing the basics of digital responsibility. The focus was on teaching kids to make wise decisions online, analogous to learning to cross the street safely. The enthusiastic participation of grade 2 students underscored the relevance and engagement of the workshop’s content.
Day 2: Broadening the Horizon
On the subsequent day, Valerie Jayne Torda and Robert Sazon expanded the discussion to include digital friendships, privacy, and online etiquette among grade 3 participants. The session, enriched with activities and illustrative videos, made complex concepts accessible and enjoyable.
Navigating the World of Digital Friendships
Today’s session focused on the profound effects that technology has on forming and maintaining friendships in the digital age. We explored the essence of what constitutes healthy and positive friendships and analyzed how behavior on digital platforms can foster or hinder relationships. In an era where online interactions often replace face-to-face connections, understanding digital friendships—where all interactions occur through screens—becomes crucial. These connections can offer a sense of belonging and support, particularly when physical distancing or circumstances limit traditional social interactions.
The shift towards digital living, accelerated by the pandemic, has significantly influenced social skills and development, especially among children. The isolation brought on by lockdowns and remote learning has challenged their ability to interact and connect in person, with many expressing feelings of social anxiety or estrangement upon re-entering social settings.
Understanding the natural course of children’s social development is key to appreciating the impact of digital friendships. With the abrupt transition to online learning environments, children were stripped of their usual socializing avenues, making their friendships more vulnerable to breakdown due to the lack of in-person interactions.
To celebrate the insights gained and the progress made during our program, we culminated with a heartfelt activity. Participants penned appreciation letters to their friends and classmates, which were then shared in a Facebook group, symbolizing their journey and the connections fortified or formed through this event. Standout participants like Athena Lucero, Edmund Guillan, and others were acknowledged for their engagement, highlighting the importance of digital literacy in nurturing healthy online friendships. Everyone who took part in the two-day event was awarded a certificate of appreciation, marking their achievement and participation in navigating the intricacies of digital friendships.
The Journey Ahead
This workshop was a significant step towards preparing the younger generation for a digitally integrated future, with Dr. Dublar and the University of San Agustin students playing a crucial role in this educational journey. The positive reception and the evident growth in participants’ understanding and skills herald a bright future for digital literacy initiatives.
With a vision for continued learning and adaptability in the digital age, this initiative marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to fostering digitally savvy and responsible future citizens. The workshop not only bestowed valuable knowledge but also ignited a spark of curiosity and responsibility among the young minds, paving the way for a digitally enlightened future.
