ELDES Is Live!

Looking for additional scaffolds which build to the Northstar Digital Literacy curricula? Or maybe you are looking for translanguaging resources to reach your Somali and Spanish speaking students? If this is you, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association (LNA) has a new resource for you!

The Lyndale Neighborhood Association (LNA) is excited to announce that the English Learner Digital Essential Skills (ELDES) curriculum is live and free to access! The curriculum is available in English, Spanish, and Somali.

What is ELDES?

ELDES is an innovative digital literacy curriculum. When LNA began offering digital literacy classes, they found that many students did not have the vocabulary or foundational knowledge about computers to follow along with the default curriculum, and as a result, struggled to make progress. ELDES was written to bridge that gap for Intermediate English language learners and native English speakers who are new to computers. Serving as a precursor to the Northstar curriculum, ELDES focuses on building digital vocabulary and practical skills through real-life applications.

The curriculum is structured into seven comprehensive units, each containing three to four lessons. These lessons are meticulously designed with clear outlines, full scripts, engagement pieces, and activities that foster exploration and practice. The objectives align with scaffolded Northstar standards and the Seattle Digital Equity Initiative Skills Framework, ensuring a robust learning experience.

The curriculum is tailored to Windows 10, facilitating seamless application in community classrooms. Topics range from basic computer vocabulary and mouse usage to safe web navigation, using metaphors and real-life analogies to demystify complex computer functions.

How do I access the curriculum?

To access the free curriculum in PDF format, go to the LNA website and select ELDES. At the top of the page you will find a curriculum description and the resources in English. Scroll down to the middle of the page to access all the resources in Spanish and to the bottom of the page to access the YouTube video series in Somali.

For a quick look at samples of how you might use these resources in your classroom, take a moment to explore these three student activities and worksheets for you:

Quick-Click Student Worksheets:

• Computer Part Vocabulary Unit 1, Lesson 1: What is a Computer? (page 8)
• Keyboard Row Introduction Unit 4, Lesson 1: Keyboard Introduction (page 7)
• Keyboard Shortcuts Unit 5, Lesson 5: Computer Commands (page 14)

The ELDES curriculum is created by the Lyndale Neighborhood Association with funding through Hennepin County’s Office of Broadband and Digital Inclusion.