Digital Transformation in TCF Schools
We’re introducing digital initiatives at TCF to help our children build 21st-century skills
Why is Digital Literacy Important?
Digital literacy is an integral component of holistic 21st-century education. The use of technology in the learning process can help both the teachers and the students. Computer science knowledge, network communication, and being able to harness the resources of the internet are critical skills in preparing stu-dents for the future. The ability to effectively use technology to solve complex problems is considered to be the new and essential form of literacy. Teachers can use technology to make their lessons more interactive, and students can use technology to solve problems more effectively.
Additionally, digital fluency has now become a valuable asset in the professional world, and significantly increases students’ employment opportunities post-graduation.
For this reason, we are encouraging the use of technology in both learning and management in our schools across Pakistan. This not only includes providing children access to digital technologies, but also focusing on logical thinking and skill development so they can use these systems ethically and successfully.
Digital Literacy Program (DLP)
The digital literacy program is a technology-driven initiative by TCF. We have introduced a cutting-edge Computer Science curriculum that focuses on logical thinking and considers modern-day skill require-ments. We have replaced s computers with high-performing tablets, and are engaging with EdTech partners to introduce blended learning. All these efforts seek to familiarize students with technology, thus preparing them for an increasingly digital world.
New Computer Science Curriculum
We have devised a new curriculum that introduces Computer Science basics in a format that’s fun, ac-cessible and relevant to young learners. This curriculum will help educators prepare students for the fu-ture by developing a range of skills. These skills vary greatly and range from fundamentals in ICT and basic productivity applications, to applying algorithmic thinking to solve problems, and promoting digital citizenship and entrepreneurship in the computer age.
The curriculum is divided across 5 strands:
- Computational Thinking: Through logic and reasoning activities, students develop critical thinking skills.
- Programming: Students apply the concepts they learnt through computational thinking using coding.
- Computer Systems: Students develop an understanding of how different components are combined to develop computer systems.
- Digital Citizenships: Students learn about social responsibility, ethics and privacy, cyber security, and IT laws in the digital age.
- IT Skills: Students improve their productivity by understanding word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, online communication, and other applications.
Revamping Computer Labs
We are replacing computers with high-performing tablets for practical learning at our secondary schools across Pakistan. To encourage active and personalized learning, each student will work on a tablet of their own in a peer-learning model. Internal research and assessment have shown that a peer-learning ap-proach is the most effective in promoting student learning and academic achievement, increasing stu-dent retention, and developing students’ social and oral skills.
On the tablet, children will be using modern digital tools such as Scratch, through which they will learn software-based programming as early as Grade 6.
Blended Learning
We are engaging with EdTech partners to increase student engagement and to improve learning out-comes through high-quality digital content. Teachers will be combining digital educational materials with traditional place-based classroom methods to illustrate concepts described in textbooks. AV (audio-visual) rooms across TCF schools will be equipped with suitable hardware devices to facilitate the pro-cess.
Technology For Management
We are replacing the old Android tablets and phones that TCF teachers and principals used to use to run the School Management Application and to manage student data. This application has positively impact-ed management and has aided transparency, efficiency, and comprehensiveness. The use of the new devices will further enhance its ability for data collection and seamless management at TCF schools.