Company Information
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; therefore, the DLP was designed to deliver 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 that we would reach a saturation point on the implementation of technology, but now I don’t think it will ever happen. I see this exponential increase in the need for digitally 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 this 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 technology in the automotive service industry. I originally wrote the book about 2 years ago to use in a computer skills class we started teaching in our automotive program 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 June, 2008. 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.
Very shortly 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 movies 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.
While the book and the online course will be two major pieces to the DLP puzzle. I also plan on supporting the open exchange of information on this site by utilizing all the latest online communication tools. A large part of the resources on this site will always be available for free; however, I am planning a membership type product that would give a member access to premium content and additional services.
The best way to reach me is through the site’s contact form; however, you can also use my personal email or Skype name.
Grant Swaim
Site Administrator
grant.swaim@gmail.com
Skype: grant.swaim
