We Think Digital Initiative in Pakistan

About the Program:

With the advent of information and communication technology, the whole world has been transformed to a global village and this digital transformation is deep, enduring and dynamic. This revolution has not only created a whole new concept of the digital world - a place where people are connected beyond borders- but also profoundly altered the way we think, learn, communicate and act. With society at the heart of this rapid transformation, Idara-e-Taleem-O-Aagahi in partnership with Meta has launched a specialized sensitization program - We Think Digital- to provide digital literacy and citizenship and promote responsible use of the internet.

We Think Digital program has trained 220,426 students, 2000+ teachers and 1194 schools since 2020. We are currently in the sixth phase of the project and have extended our reach to 10 districts of Gilgit Baltistan after covering all provinces from Phase I to Phase V. Program approach also includes community trainings along with teachers training with the aim to increase the diversity of the community group who are informed about the content, impact, and scope of the initiative under WTD Phase VI.

The program provides training and educational materials on important skills on online privacy, protecting digital identities, critical thinking, promoting respectful and empathetic online behavior and tackling false information.

Let’s harness digital technology to build a world that we not only want, but need.

What is "Digital Citizenship"?

Digital citizenship is synonymous to engaging in appropriate and responsible behavior when using technology in a digital world. It is closely aligned to civics in a traditional sense, where understanding digital media and being able to use it is becoming a vital part of active citizenship.

Important:

Digital Citizenship & ICT has been included in Phase I of SNC (Single National Curriculum). For reference please review this link: http://www.mofept.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/SNC%20Social%20Studies%204-5.pdf

Objectives:

•   Creating awareness regarding cyberbullying and potential abuse over internet
•   Spreading awareness regarding safe internet practices
•   Aiding children, adolescents and youth groups on how to navigate digital spaces and help develop their own unique identities
•   Inculcating the habits and attitudes needed for positive behavior online in children/adolescents/youth groups
•   Instructing children, adolescents and youth groups on how to engage with the community and using online tools for advocacy and social awareness
•   Introducing the concept of Digital Citizenship to children, adolescents and youth groups

Each phase has following engagement activities/tasks:

•   1.Inception Workshop: an orientation session with schools owners/heads.
•   2.3-Days Capacity Building Workshop: a comprehensive 3 days activity based teachers’ training is conducted to foster digital literacy skills.
•   3.School roll out: trained teachers will deliver digital literacy content to students.

We Think Digital Program Outreach:

The We Think Digital Program up to date has currently trained 1194 schools, 3467 teachers and 220,426 students through We Think Digital Phase I to Phase VI.

Current phase | We Think Digital Phase VI

Currently the program is in its sixth phase and active in 10 districts across Gilgit Baltistan:

Program Approach

The program will be executed in 3 phases targeting students/adolescents/youth/teachers across 12 districts of Pakistan.

•   1. Advocacy Meetings: Meeting relevant government officials to ensure smooth execution of the project
•   2.Teachers Capacity Building Workshop: 1-day capacity building workshop will be arranged for teachers from the public and private secondary/high to train them through the WTD modules.
•   3.School Rollouts: The teachers will then engage students in their respective schools and educate the students about the importance of digital citizenship
•   4.Community awareness: At community level, parents and families of teachers and students will be briefed on the importance of digital citizenship and ICT through the WTD modules. Relevant Women led CSO’s will be onboarded and enrolled as the target audience

We Think Digital Phase VI | Key Performance Indicators

•    Advocacy meetings
•   Training of teachers
•   Community trainings
•   Role of District Directorate Officers (DDO’s)
•   Assessments

 

Gallery