Digital Literacy & Design

The Digital Literacy & Design curriculum empowers students to ideate, design, and produce in and for the digital age to make a positive impact on their world. The evolving study and implementation of technology ensure that students learn to use digital tools to support academic excellence and personal growth; the appropriate and effective use of computers, tablets, multimedia, and 3D printers supports student learning across the curriculum. Embracing a human-centered design approach, students use their fluency in digital literacy to develop the essential skills of problem-solving, personal productivity, and aspirational creativity.

In service of Digital Literacy & Design, the school’s ePack 1:1 initiative provides daily access to a wide range of digital tools. All students in grades K-8 are provided their own dedicated digital device, and high school students bring their own self-chosen devices to naturally and seamlessly integrate DLD practices throughout the curriculum. The technology department works directly with the K-12 faculty to infuse digital skills and computational thinking throughout the curriculum. Developmentally appropriate units of instruction center on: engineering, simple machines, programming and coding, electronics, robotics, and design thinking. Part makerspace, part innovation lab, and part collaboration zone, the Unkefer Spark Studio serves as the physical center of these initiatives. In high school, computer science coursework is offered through the academic program, with progression leading to AP Computer Science.