Preparing Students for an AI-Enabled World
At Penn State Greater Allegheny, preparing students for the future means more than learning to use technology. It means developing the skills to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and adapt to a changing world.
Through the Digital Fluency Project, every student receives an iPad® at New Student Orientation to support creativity, collaboration, and learning from the start of their Penn State experience. The project reflects our commitment to making technology accessible while helping students build the digital skills they need to succeed.
The Greater Allegheny campus was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2022–2026, recognizing our innovative approach to teaching and learning through technology.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies reshape education, research, and the workplace, digital fluency continues to evolve. We aim to help students understand these tools, evaluate information critically, and use technology thoughtfully and responsibly.
Our commitment goes beyond any single device or tool. It is about preparing students with the knowledge, confidence, and adaptability to navigate new technologies and apply what they learn in college, throughout their careers, and beyond.
What Is Digital Fluency?
Digital fluency means using technology with confidence and purpose. It involves choosing appropriate tools, evaluating information, communicating ideas, collaborating with others, and solving problems.
Students develop these skills by learning to:
- Communicate and collaborate using digital tools
- Create projects and explore new ideas
- Evaluate information and assess its reliability
- Make informed decisions about technology use
- Learn new tools and approaches as technology changes
Technology That Supports Learning
Students use iPad® to create video essays, develop interactive presentations, build digital portfolios, write code, collaborate with classmates, and explore concepts through augmented reality. These activities offer different ways to engage with course material and demonstrate learning.
Students also have access to digital resources that support coursework and research, including:
- iPad®: A device for accessing course materials, creating projects, and collaborating.
- Penn State software: Tools that support coursework, communication, and productivity.
- WebLabs: Remote access to lab software for academic work.
- Digital library resources: Journals, e-books, streaming content, and other research materials.
Building AI Literacy
Artificial intelligence is changing how people find information, create content, conduct research, and solve problems. To use AI effectively, students need to evaluate its outputs, recognize its limitations, consider potential bias, and decide when and how to use it.
Digital fluency provides a foundation for this learning. Critical thinking and information literacy help students question AI-generated content, assess its accuracy, and apply their own judgment rather than accepting results at face value.
Penn State offers university-wide resources for learning more about AI:
Faculty Innovation and Student Impact
Faculty use digital tools to create interactive lessons, multimedia course materials, and new ways for students to explore course content. They can also develop open and affordable educational resources (OAER), including digital textbooks that combine written content with videos, quizzes, and interactive activities.
My students no longer need to buy any textbook. The digital fluency project motivated me to write my own interactive textbook with embedded videos and quizzes that I share to the iPad along with lecture notes and videos. Before, it cost $150 to $200 per course. Now, they don’t pay anything because of the iPad. In the classroom, it is all interactive and focused on student trying and understanding. I am also able to implement augmented reality so students can see the image using their iPad. We weren’t able to do that with paper and pencil.
Connecting Students With Support
Faculty and staff use digital tools, including iPad® and Zoom, to communicate with students, answer questions, and help them access campus services. These tools provide additional ways for students to connect with the people and resources that support their success.
A Culture of Creativity and Collaboration
Digital fluency also grows through shared experiences. The Greater Allegheny campus' classrooms, learning spaces, collaborative lounges, and courses that incorporate creativity, research, and design thinking give students opportunities to exchange ideas, explore different perspectives, and work through challenges together.
Powered by Support
The Digital Fluency Project was initially made possible through the generosity of alumni and donors, including a $50,000 Digital Fluency Challenge Grant from Jim and Megan Minarik.
This support helped expand access to technology and create opportunities for students to learn and collaborate. The project's lasting purpose is to help students make meaningful use of technology as they pursue their education and prepare for their careers.
