Digital Skills

Using a Computer and Mobile Devices: Navigating desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets

1. Locating and Accessing Digital Corrections Data

Activity: Students use a laptop or mobile device to access the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) website and navigate to corrections datasets.

Skill Integration:

• Using browser navigation
• Downloading PDFs/spreadsheets
• Managing files/folders on a device

2. Online Research Using University Library Tools

Activity: Students use smartphones or computers to access the library website, navigate search tools, and retrieve articles related to correctional practices.

Skill Integration:

• Opening multiple tabs
• Switching between browser windows
• Saving articles to a device or cloud storage

3. Viewing Digital Dashboards About Correctional Systems

Activity: Students use tablets or laptops to navigate interactive dashboards (e.g., prison population maps, facility-level statistics).

Skill Integration:

• Interacting with on-screen menus
• Using touch/scroll gestures
• Interpreting data visualizations

4. Accessing an LMS (Canvas/Moodle/Blackboard) to Complete Correctional Modules

Activity: Students navigate course modules, upload assignments, watch lectures, and participate in discussions.

Skill Integration:

• Uploading and downloading files
• Navigating menus, buttons, and tools
• Using mobile app versions of the LMS

5. Digital Note-taking During a Correctional Documentary or Guest Lecture

Activity: Students use computers/tablets to take structured notes while watching a prison documentary or a recorded talk.

Skill Integration:

• Switching between video and notes
• Typing efficiently
• Using split-screen or windowed views

6. Completing an Online Application for a Criminal Justice Job Posting

Activity: Students use a computer or phone to navigate a real correctional officer job posting (DOC, BOP, or state agency) and locate required digital forms.

Skill Integration:

• Navigating governmental websites
• Downloading and opening attachments
• Using autofill and document upload tools

7. Using a Device to Record and Upload a Short Presentation

Activity: Students record a 2–3 minute video analysis of a correctional issue using a mobile phone or tablet.

Skill Integration:

• Using camera apps
• Uploading videos to LMS or cloud storage
• Managing device storage

8. Mobile Device–Enabled Library Scavenger Hunt

Activity: Students complete a digital scavenger hunt using smartphones to locate online correctional resources (LibGuides, databases, government sites).

Skill Integration:

• Following QR codes
• Navigating webpages designed for mobile devices
• Taking screenshots for submission

9. Using Digital Tools for Collaborative Work on Correctional Topics

Activity: Groups use shared digital platforms (Google Docs, Padlet, OneNote) from laptops or phones to create a short policy brief.

Skill Integration:

• Typing, commenting, editing
• Switching between apps and browser tabs
• Sharing files across devices

Operating System Familiarity – Understanding Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS basics

1. Navigating System File Structures to Organize Correctional Research

Activity: Students create a folder system (on Windows/macOS/Android/iOS) labeled by topic: “History of Corrections,” “Prison Models,” “Community Corrections,” etc. 

OS Skills:

• Creating folders/subfolders
• Renaming files
• Moving documents across directories

2. Downloading & Opening Official Corrections Documents

Activity: Students download a Bureau of Justice Statistics corrections report, open it using their OS’s default PDF viewer, and save it in a designated folder.

OS Skills:

• Navigating downloads folders
• Using default file viewers (Preview, Adobe, Files app)
• Managing file types

3. Using OS Search Tools to Locate Correctional Policies

Activity: Students use Spotlight (macOS), Windows Search, or mobile device search to quickly locate saved corrections readings.

OS Skills:

• Searching files by name/type
• Using OS metadata filters

4. Adjusting Device Settings to Access Correctional Simulations

Activity: Students must adjust settings (screen resolution, permissions, sound settings) to run a corrections simulation or watch a training video.

OS Skills:

• Managing system preferences/control panel
• Allowing app permissions
• Adjusting accessibility settings

5. Using Mobile OS Features to Capture Evidence or Field Notes

Activity: Students use their mobile device to take a photo of a corrections-related infographic or to record a brief reflection.

OS Skills:

• Operating camera apps
• Managing media storage
• Using share extensions (e.g., upload to LMS)

6. Accessing State DOC or Federal BOP Websites Across OS Platforms

Activity: Students compare how Department of Corrections sites load on Windows/macOS browsers versus Android/iOS devices.

OS Skills:

• Switching browsers
• Recognizing differences in OS UI layouts
• Understanding mobile vs. desktop functionality

7. Completing a Digital Form Using OS Tools

Activity: Students fill out a sample “Correctional Officer Incident Report” PDF using their OS’s built-in tools.

OS Skills:

• Using PDF markup tools (Preview, Windows Edge, iOS Markup)
• Typing in form fields
• Saving and exporting documents

8. Using OS Multitasking to Analyze Correctional Data 

Activity: Students view an incarceration dashboard (BJS, Vera Institute) in a browser while taking notes in a separate window.

OS Skills:

• Using split screen (Windows Snap, macOS Split View, iPad multitasking)
• Switching between open apps using task switcher

Using a Web Browser – Navigating the internet via Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari

1. Researching Correctional Agencies on Official Websites

Activity: Students use a browser to locate and explore websites of correctional institutions (e.g., Louisiana DOC, Federal Bureau of Prisons, local jail systems).

Browser Skills:

• Typing accurate URLs
• Using bookmarks
• Navigating menus and site structures

2. Using Search Engines to Locate Credible Criminal Justice Information

Activity: Students conduct targeted Google/Bing searches for topics like “evidence-based corrections programs” or “recidivism statistics.”

Browser Skills:

• Using search operators (quotes, minus terms, site:)
• Filtering results by date or type
• Evaluating search result snippets

3. Accessing Online Correctional Statistics Dashboards

Activity: Students visit interactive dashboards on BJS.gov or Vera Institute.

Browser Skills:

• Enabling pop-ups if needed
• Allowing permissions (e.g., scripts, cookies)
• Interacting with data visualizations

4. Using Browser Tabs to Manage Multiple Corrections Resources

Activity: During a research assignment, students open tabs for:

• A scholarly article
• A state DOC website
• A recent news story
• A correctional policy brief

Browser Skills:

• Opening/closing tabs
• Using tab groups
• Switching efficiently between sources

5. Completing Online Training or Simulations

Activity: Students participate in an online correctional scenario module (e.g., decision-making in inmate supervision). 

Browser Skills:

• Adjusting zoom and settings
• Managing media playback
• Troubleshooting browser settings that affect simulations

6. Using the Library Website to Access Corrections Research

Activity: Students navigate to the Prescott Memorial Library website, use the homepage search, and access databases such as Academic Search Ultimate or JSTOR.

Browser Skills:

• Using secure login for remote access
• Handling multiple redirects
• Saving PDFs from database viewers

7. Evaluating Correctional News Coverage Using Browser Tools 

Activity: Students follow hyperlinks to explore sources cited in articles about prisons, probation, or jail conditions.

Browser Skills:

• Hover previews
• Opening links in new tabs
• Inspecting domains and URLs for credibility

8. Using Browser Bookmarks to Save Key Corrections Resources

Activity: Students build a curated bookmark folder titled “Corrections Resources.”

Browser Skills:

• Creating bookmark folders
• Renaming and organizing URLs

9. Managing Browser Privacy Settings While Accessing Sensitive Content

Activity: Students view court documents or public offender data online and discuss ethical use.

Browser Skills:

• Clearing browsing data
• Using incognito/private mode
• Understanding privacy warnings

Performing Online Searches – Finding accurate and relevant information using search engines

1. Searching for Current Correctional Policy Debates

Activity: Students use search engines to look up recent debates or reforms (e.g., “abolition of solitary confinement,” “parole reform 2025”).

Skills Developed:

• Using search operators (“solitary confinement” AND reform)
• Sorting by date for recent developments

2. Investigating Correctional Facility Conditions

Activity: Students search for accurate information about a specific facility, such as “conditions at Angola prison” or “Rikers Island oversight report.”

Skills Developed:

• Comparing multiple types of sources (news, official reports, academic analysis)
• Evaluating reliability based on domain (.gov, .edu, .org, .com)

3. Locating Governmental Corrections Data

Activity: Students use Google/Bing to find incarceration statistics by searching terms like:

• “BJS incarceration rates”
• “State corrections annual report Louisiana”

Skills Developed:

• Choosing precise keywords
• Spotting official government sources

4. Finding Scholarly Articles Using Search Engine Shortcuts

Activity: Students use Google Scholar queries like:

• “Evidence-based correctional programs”
• “Recidivism interventions meta-analysis”

Skills Developed:

• Filtering by year
• Using “Cited by” to find related research

5. Conducting Fact-Checks on Viral Correctional Claims

Activity: Students search to confirm or debunk widely circulated claims (e.g., “Do private prisons increase incarceration rates?”).

Skills Developed:

• Cross-referencing sources
• Evaluating accuracy using nonpartisan fact-checking sites

6. Searching for Job Descriptions in Corrections

Activity: Students look up real job postings and examine elements such as:

• “Probation officer job duties”
• “Correctional officer hiring requirements Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections”

Skills Developed:

• Identifying legitimate employer sites
• Interpreting results from multiple sources

7. Finding Court Cases Related to Corrections Issues

Activity: Students perform online searches for landmark correctional cases, such as:

• “Estelle v. Gamble summary”
• “Brown v. Plata decision overcrowding”

Skills Developed:

• Refining searches for legal topics
• Distinguishing scholarly summaries from popular news

8. Searching for Evidence of Algorithmic Bias in Corrections

Activity: Students research terms like “algorithmic bias risk assessment corrections” or “COMPAS controversy.”

Skills Developed:

• Using advanced search strategies
• Evaluating the credibility of technical or advocacy sources

9. Conducting Searches About Historical Developments in Corrections

Activity: Students search for historical topics such as “penitentiary movement history” or “Elmira Reformatory rehabilitation model.”

Skills Developed:

• Adjusting keywords for historical vs. modern content
• Identifying academic summaries versus tertiary sources

10. Using Reverse Image Search for Correctional Context

Activity: Students perform reverse image searches to verify authenticity of viral prison images or claims appearing on social media.

Skills Developed:

• Using Google Images reverse search
• Tracking original sources and checking metadata