Smart Tech, Smarter You: Digital and AI Literacy Program
Program Highlights
Curriculum-Aligned: Connected to Ontario's Language and Science & Technology expectations for Grades 6-8.
Flexible Delivery: Self-paced modules accessible online via Canvas LMS and adaptable for classroom or at-home learning.
Interactive & Differentiated Learning: Lessons include integrated feedback, hands-on activities, games, independent projects, and automated quizzes.
Critical Skills: Builds digital and AI literacy through real-world examples.
Optional Summative Assessments: Includes independent assignments and projects that teachers may assign at their discretion.
Optional Extensions: Includes classroom discussion questions, gallery walks, student presentations, and group work.
Teacher Support: Provides rubrics, progress updates, and monitoring of student work by an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) qualified in Junior/Intermediate Science and Mathematics.
About the program
Findings from Canada's most comprehensive study on youth behaviours and attitudes toward digital media and technology emphasize the importance of ongoing development and delivery of digital literacy programming that prioritizes critical thinking.
The Smart Tech, Smarter You: Digital and AI literacy Program is a flexible educational solution for supporting the development of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) literacy skills in schools. Students will learn how to critically explore the digital world and develop a better understanding of how AI influences their lives, communities, and society. In particular, this program hopes to raise awareness of the limitations of AI technology, particularly machine learning and the potential for algorithmic bias.
Modules
The program consists of the following four modules:
Digital Citizens - How to Be Safe and Kind Online (~1.5 hours)
Digital Detectives - What is Digital Literacy? (~2 hours)
AI 101 - The Basics of Artificial Intelligence (~2.5 hours)
Byte the Bias - When Technology Isn’t Fair (~2.5 hours)
*Estimated timing excludes assignments and optional classroom activities and discussions
Student Activity Highlights
Investigate how algorithms work through hands-on inquiry
Design and run a Turing Test
Train an AI model in a guided activity
Explore how algorithmic bias emerges by training a biased AI model using sample datasets
Analyze real-world deepfake cases
Build a "Fact-Checking Toolbox"
Lateral reading guided activity
Assessment
In addition to Canvas quizzes, there are a variety of formative and summative assessments for each module that are aligned to the Ontario curriculum. Online submissions will be assessed and/or monitored for completion by an OCT-certified Program Manager. Schools may also choose to exclude specific assessments from their students’ coursework.
Delivery
Smart Tech, Smarter You is an asynchronous, online program that is differentiated for students in Grades 6 to 8. Through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), this easy-to-navigate program integrates feedback directly within lessons and supports learning with hands-on activities, automated quizzes, educational games, and independent projects.
Mini-Lesson Spotlight: Interactive Slideshow from Module 3
Students investigate how mistakes in AI training can lead to biased results. In this example, the AI system identified wolves based on snow in the background rather than animal features. This example helps students to understand and analyze potential impacts of emerging AI technology.
Lesson Snapshot: Sample Interactive Slides from Module 4
Students examine real-world examples of algorithmic bias to understand how design choices and data can lead to inequitable outcomes. This helps students to describe and analyze the potential impacts of emerging AI technologies on individuals and society.
2025/26 Pilot
Are you an educator or school leader interested in a ready-to-use, Ontario curriculum-aligned program on digital and AI literacy?
Connected for Change is inviting a small group of classrooms and schools to pilot our new program in the 2025/26 school year. Participating educators will receive access to the program, a Teacher Resource Guide, and will have the opportunity to provide feedback that will improve the program before its full release.
Help us build something meaningful for students across Ontario! To participate in the pilot or request more information, please complete the form.
