Digital Resilience in the American Workforce (DRAW)

Challenge

Technology shapes our daily lives, impacting how we learn and work. Digital resilience, encompassing awareness, skills, agility, and confidence in navigating new technologies, is vital for societal and economic participation. However, about 32 million Americans struggle with computer use, and half lack confidence in using technology for learning. Persistent digital disparities, like limited broadband access and device availability, reflect enduring societal inequities in income, wealth, and K-12 education access. These inequities entail significant costs for individuals and economic prosperity. Research shows that 92% of jobs require digital skills, with potential earnings 23% higher for those possessing them.

Approach

The goals of the DRAW project are to:  

• Identify and organize resources for assessing and improving digital literacy skills. 
• Co-create resources to fill gaps identified in the landscape scan.  
• Create a Digital Skills Library with user-friendly formats for adult learners. 
• Train adult education professionals on how to integrate quality resources into their instruction.  
• Enable strategic, learner-focused professional development for teachers in lesson planning and instruction.  
• Support adult education programs in designing effective, flexible, technology-enabled education and support services.  
• Provide state Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) funders and providers models, guidance, and resources for expanding digital literacy.  

Results

In DRAW’s first year, JFF, World Education, and Safal Partners conducted a landscape scan to understand what training resources and approaches educators need to increase adult learners’ digital literacy and resilience. 

Digital Resilience in the American Workforce: Findings From a National Landscape Scan on Adult Digital Literacy Instruction utilized mixed methods, including literature review, stakeholder interviews, surveys, market analysis, and learner feedback to reveal digital literacy insights. 

Dive Deeper Into the Landscape Scan

Explore six in-depth resources that correlate with the chapters of the landscape scan, offering detailed insights and resources for adult educators to enhance digital literacy instruction.

Professional Development Resources

The DRAW team created professional development resources aiding adult educators in fostering learners’ digital resilience, accessible via the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education’s Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS). 

Disclaimer: This project is funded by the U. S. Department of Education OCTAE/DAEL contract GS10F0094X. The views expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and its contents should not be considered an endorsement by the Federal government or the funding agency.