A new way to graduate. 

The school has recently implemented a route of graduation without having to take the usual class of digital literacy. 

In the past years in order to meet graduation requirements students had to partake and pass a half year of digital literacy although some students felt that similar topics were discussed in journalism classes. Although both classes operate almost solely on technology their approach to providing education differs. In the digital literacy class students are more directed towards learning and using microsoft applications. Alongside this, students enrolled in digital literacy have to learn how to create and understand cover letters and resumes. On the flip side inside journalism and yearbook, the curriculum is oriented towards digital design and preparation for media communication jobs. Journalism produces the Livewire publication, while doing this, it provides education on various platforms such as Adobe. Digital literacy focuses on more traditional aspects of computers, such as learning to type by utilizing the home row keys.  

Aug. 8 of the new school year, media design  students were notified of some alterations to the school standards. The alterations provided the school with a new pathway. Journalism and yearbook were now classified together as the graphic design pathway. Alongside these changes also came the news that if you take two years of this pathway you no longer had to take digital literacy in order to graduate. For some this change provides them with new opportunities to expand their education in pursuit of their future careers. Although some may feel that this change causes students to lose vital skills for their future.

 “I believe that by offering students (who are truly interested in a Journalism career) the opportunity to take the two years of Adobe Design will be extremely beneficial for them.  However, I believe that the two classes are completely different and the concepts covered reflect the differences. With that being said, I believe that Digital Literacy and the focus on Office addresses the needs of a wide variety of fields and is used more frequently by businesses.  Therefore, still being valid and relevant in today’s society,” said digital literacy teacher Fay Anderson.