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G2S Project Code: 2014-DC-73677
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
Miner Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization

Project Director
Director Name: Michelle Williams
Director Phone: 202-397-3960
Director Email: Michelle.Williams2@dc.gov
General Information
Title: Strengthening Digital Literacy in 3rd- and 4th-graders at Miner Elementary School
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 09/30/2015
Abstract:

DC Public Library provided a sub-grant to the Miner Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (Miner PTO) to support the school librarian in teaching third- and fourth-grade students how to use laptops, electronic resources and web presentation tools to strengthen student digital literacy, research abilities, and reading comprehension skills. 



State Goal: Access to Information
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$12,576.65
$0.00
$0.00
$12,576.65
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Digital Literacy
Reading Program (Not Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Strengthening Digital Literacy Skills in 3rd- and 4th-graders at Miner Elementary School
Narrative:

The project aimed to teach digital literacy skills to 3rd- and 4th-grade students at Miner Elementary School, a Title 1 school located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in NE DC.  The school librarian created and implemented a curriculum for the students' library classes.  The goal was to improve student ability to  locate, evaluate and effectively use information.



Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 45
Number of sessions in program: 29
Average number in attendance per session: 19
Number of times program administered: 14


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Black
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Miner Elementary School
Address: 1601 15th Street NE
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20002
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
At project end, Miner Elementary students were better able to locate, access, and apply information; they became more digitally literate and stronger researchers. Their ability to locate a variety of resources and apply knowledge academically and socially improved; while their use of unreliable resources for information decreased. They were more likely to use print and electronic resources at the school library and at DC Public Library in their research. Students and parents also reported feeling more supported and motivated in their learning, and their participation in school and literacy programs at Rosedale Neighborhood Public Library increased. Students’ academic performance and reading level also improved.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The results are significant. The School better understands the students' needs to develop digital literacy and reading skills and thus can provide the necessary instruction and resources to meet those needs. The findings also play a crucial role in enabling teachers and librarians to create/tailor programs to improve student and family engagement in school and community literacy events.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Interview/Focus Group
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
Digital literacy skills are necessary to enable students to become proficient or advanced readers, lifelong learners, and successful members of society. Libraries can help support the development of these skills by providing students with electronic equipment and instruction on how to use them as well as electronic resources. The project also demonstrated how digital literacy support can successfully motivate and engage families in literacy events.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: Based on the encouraging results, the School intends to expand the program to its first-, second- and fifth-grade students.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Digital literacy, STEM