“The Silo Effect”: A Mixed Methods Exploration of a 7th Grade Digital Citizenship Curriculum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Students’ Meaning Making with Media Literacy

Abstract

We utilized an embedded convergent case study-mixed methods approach to explore whether and how an adapted version of the Common Sense Digital Citizenship Curriculum implemented during advisory influenced 7th grade students’ digital literacy. Drawing from pre- and post-intervention survey data collected from nearly a quarter of the students from four Connecticut middle schools, we found a statistically significant relationship between students’ self-reported digital literacy and well-being, but that the curriculum taught to students at two of our four schools had no statistically significant relationship with the outcome. Qualitative findings from focus groups with 7th grade teachers who taught the curriculum provide insight into how challenges with implementation, teacher buy-in and training, and curriculum content could be improved for increased effectiveness.

Authors

• Kathy Chau Rohn, University of New Hampshire

• Adam M. McCready, University of Connecticut

• Jennifer Phaiah, Sacred Heart University

• Kelly Farrell, UConn