Curriculum Overview¶
The Boot Up curriculum is delivered as eight self-contained modules. Each is adaptable per audience, can be delivered in-person, hybrid, or at a partner site, and contributes toward completion in one of the award tracks.
The eight modules¶
| # | Module | Sessions | Primary audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Computer Fundamentals | 2–3 | All audiences |
| 02 | Internet & Online Safety | 2 | All audiences |
| 03 | Social Media Literacy | 2 | Teens through adults |
| 04 | AI Literacy & Tools | 2–3 | Adults & older teens |
| 05 | Job Skills & Career Tech | 2–3 | Adults, recovery, reentry |
| 06 | Creative & Expressive Tech | 2–3 | Youth, recovery expression |
| 07 | Coding Foundations (optional) | 3–4 | Advanced track |
| 08 | Seniors & Late Adopters Track | 4 | Elderly / first-time users |
How the modules combine¶
Most participants don't take every module. Instead they follow a track that combines modules to match their goals and the award they're working toward. See Award Program for the four standard tracks (Starter, Full, Youth, Seniors) and the Mentor Grad upgrade path.
Design principles for every module¶
- Self-contained. A facilitator can teach Module 04 without having taught Module 03 first (Module 01 is the only universal prerequisite).
- Hands-on. Every session has at least one task the participant does on the device that will become theirs.
- No assumed knowledge. "What does double-click mean?" is a legitimate Session 1 question.
- Patience-first. Repeating a step is part of the program; the instructor makes repetition feel normal, not remedial.
- Audience-adapted. Module 02 for seniors emphasizes scam prevention; for teens it emphasizes privacy and digital footprint. Same module, different emphasis.
Materials & capacity¶
Slides live in a shared facilitator pack; printable one-page handouts back each module; every session is taught with the refurbished laptop in front of the participant. Modules can be delivered by volunteers with basic computer fluency (01, 02, 08), subject-matter volunteers (developers for 07, designers for 06, AI practitioners for 04), or program alumni who completed an instructor-training pass — the Peer Instructor workforce role (see Workforce Development).
[HYPOTHESIS] Peer instructors with lived experience are more effective with their own communities than outside instructors. This is a design bet that will be tested as alumni cohorts grow.