Collaboration Between ESPOL and Villanova University on the Development and Delivery of a Digital Literacy Program for Youth on the Galapagos Islands

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador faced major difficulties due to travel restrictions which affected tourism as their main source of income and education. The educational system in the Galapagos Islands is very limited because of a lack of connectivity and resources, including qualified computer teachers and access to computers. This paper describes a project collaboration between universities, including faculty, student volunteers, and alumni(ae) located in Ecuador, Canada, Sweden, and the United States. The focus of the project was on improving the quality of education in the Galapagos Islands. The goal of the project was to offer an online digital literacy program designed to enhance local high school students' digital skills to improve their prospects to continue their education at a university in the mainland or to find a job locally. Due to the limited bandwidth, a key aspect of the project was to focus on a combination of selected online and mostly offline a ctivities to develop students's kills based on the DQ Institute's Digital Literacy Framework. Details of the program content, results of the program and the successes and challenges of this international education program will be shared in the paper.