About DLP

Grant Swaim
DLP's Head Kahuna

Welcome to the Digital Literacy Project (DLP) website! I am a full time automotive educator and I see, on almost a daily basis, the tremendous need for computer training among new automotive students and working technicians. I started the DLP to deliver technology training to a wide group, from automotive students to working technicians and everybody in between.

I truly believe that there are many currently working in the automotive service industry that will soon hit the “technology wall” and it is not going to be pretty! Over the years I kept thinking the industry would reach a saturation point on the implementation of technology, but I now doubt it will ever happen. I see this exponential increase in the need for digital literate technicians to be one of the biggest challenges on the horizon for the automotive service industry.

I have been blessed with automotive and digital skills and feel compelled to help contribute to an industry that has been good to me. So that is why I started the Digital Literacy Project. I picked up the phrase “Digital Literacy” from David Warlick, a nationally acclaimed speaker/consultant on technology in education. In his book, Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century, David draws a vivid picture of what defines illiteracy in today’s world. Below is the opening from one of his talks about the challenges we face in today’s ever changing world.

Being literate in the future will certainly involve the ability to read, write, and work with numbers. However, the concept of literacy in the 21st century will be far richer and more comprehensive than the 3 Rs of the one room school house. This enlightening and thought-provoking address will describe how our notions of literacy must expand to address a rapidly changing information landscape where information is networked, digital, and overwhelming.

The DLP will offer a comprehensive approach to delivering information and training on digital skills. At the core of the project will be a book on digital technology in the automotive service industry. I originally wrote the book about 2 years ago to use in a computer skills class I started teaching at Guilford Technical Community College, in Jamestown, NC. I am now doing a complete re-write of the book to bring it up to date and am on target to have the book completed by Jan/Feb, 2009. The book is designed to be used as a college level text book, as a self-study book, or as a reference book. To view the Table of Contents and a sample chapter from the book, click here.

Soon after the book is completed, the DLP website will offer the same content as the book in an online course. While the online course will include the same written content as the book, it will offer much more in the way of multi-media. For example, each chapter will include screencasts that show exactly how to perform computer tasks and use Internet services. Audio summaries of each chapter will also allow you to review the material by listening to an MP3 file.

In addition to the book and the online courses, the DLP will promote the open and free exchange of technology information among automotive service personnel. For example, on this site you will find a free forum for technicians, a free forum for automotive educators, and other free features such as the technology news feed and an upcoming podcast.

Your participation and input is key to the success of this site. I pledge to grow and evolve the site based heavily on user input; therefore, feel free to contact me with any ideas, comments, or concerns about this site.

Grant Swaim
Site Administrator

Skype: grant.swaim