Building a Curriculum for Digital Beginners

Digital Access and Device Education

A group of boys in school uniforms collaborate on a computer project indoors.

The WhiteBrick Foundation envisions a world where technology isn’t just accessible, but truly usable by everyone—especially students in underfunded schools. As part of our refurbished device donation program, we will provide not only the hardware, but also a carefully designed beginner-friendly digital learning curriculum. This ensures that each laptop or tablet we donate comes fully equipped to spark learning from the very first day it’s turned on.

Core Curriculum Topics

Our program will focus on four essential pillars of digital literacy:

  1. Digital Literacy Basics
    • Turning devices on/off, navigating an operating system, managing files and folders.
    • Understanding basic computer terminology so students can communicate technical needs confidently.
  2. Basic Office Tools
    • Word processing (writing assignments, creating resumes).
    • Spreadsheets (basic data entry, creating simple budgets).
    • Presentation software (designing slides for class projects).
  3. Safe Internet Use
    • Recognizing secure websites, avoiding scams, and understanding online privacy.
    • Basics of email etiquette and communication in a professional or educational setting.
  4. Beginner Programming Concepts
    • Simple block-based programming tools like Scratch to introduce logic and problem-solving.
    • Gradual progression to basic scripting for older or more advanced students.

Educational Software Inclusion

Each device will come preloaded with:

  • Free, reliable office suites (e.g., LibreOffice).
  • Safe web browsers with child-appropriate settings.
  • Pre-installed educational apps and games aligned to the curriculum.
  • Offline resources (encyclopedias, e-learning modules) for schools with limited internet access.

Printed & Digital Guidebooks

To support both students and teachers, we will produce:

  • A printed quick-start guide in plain language with visual instructions.
  • A comprehensive PDF guidebook covering each core topic, which can be updated yearly.
  • Lesson plan templates for teachers to integrate the material into their classrooms.

Scaling for Different Age Groups and Resource Levels

  • Elementary Students: Visual-heavy, interactive lessons with gamified learning.
  • Middle School Students: Project-based assignments to encourage independent problem-solving.
  • High School Students: Practical, career-prep modules (resume creation, job search tools, coding challenges).
  • Resource-Limited Schools: Offline-first content, low-resource software, and physical teaching materials.

Measuring Impact

We will partner with participating schools to track:

  • Device Usage Statistics
  • Student Feedback on Ease of Learning
  • Teacher-reported improvements in digital skills
  • Long-term improvements such as improved academic performance and digital readiness