Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the set of skills required to firstly, use digital hardware and software to locate information, and then critically interpret and apply this information. The development of digital literacy is a life-long process as technology continually evolves and then so too must the skills to utilise these technologies. Doug Belshaw, in his Tedx talk (2012), argues that there is no single definition of digital literacy, however, that it should instead be referred to as the plural, digital literacies, as the concept is heavily dependent on context. Digital literacy is relevant to classroom learning as it is the responsibility of the education system to prepare students for their life as citizens and members of the workforce in a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. 

Students are becoming increasingly exposed to a variety of technologies in their life outside of school and are already proficient in their uses and applications even before entering the classroom. Tristan Hooley, Head of the International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby, recognises this assumption and states that students who are comfortable with technology due to exposure in their day-to-day lives don't necessarily have the digital skills required in the context of employment and so digital literacy is a necessary component to be developed in classrooms (Anyangwe, 2012). Abhay Adhirkari, digital strategist at Digital Footprints, recognises that technology is becoming increasingly relevant in our daily lives but "our relationship with it isn't intuitive" (Anyangwe, 2012). He states the use technology in a way that facilitates critical thinking and articulation of ideas as well as making judgements on the information obtained, are a set of skills that must be taught and developed.

There is concern that young people are becoming more and more dependent on technology and introduction of such resources into the classroom will further their reliance on devices.
Sue Thomas, Professor of New Media at De Montfort University, states that the importance of digital literacy in teaching is that it is part of a wholistic approach, where students interact with a range of tools and platforms for learning, called transliteracy, so that students don't become isolated within any one literacy style (Anyangwe, 2012). It is important for students to be proficient across a range of literacies, as this reflects what is required of them in the world outside of schooling and makes them adaptable to change. 
In a Tedx talk (2013), Beth Holland outlined the essential skills required to navigate in a digital world. Technology enables students to make connections with other people from all over the world, including experts of particular fields as well as a community of learners, both of which serve as a resource for education. Holland emphasises the need for a model on how to make such connections online. She discusses citizenship as another tool for digital literacy; that students must be taught how to be responsible communicators in a digital world. In addition to this, students need to learn to be fluent in digital literacy. They need to be taught to recognise patterns and become problem solvers in order to learn the language of technology so that they are able to make inferences and keep up with a resource that is constantly and rapidly changing. 


References

Anyangwe, E. (2012, May 16). 20 ways of thinking about digital literacy in higher education [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2012/may/15/digital-literacy-in-universities

TEDx Talks. (2012, March 23). The essential elements of digital literacies: Doug Belshaw at TEDxWarwick [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yQPoTcZ78.

 TEDxTalks. (2013, November 11). Packing for the age of digital exploration: Beth Holland at TEDxMosesBrownSchool [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJBwe1HPTtw

Comments

  1. Unknown27 July 2017 at 23:34

    I agree with Doug Belshaw that there is no adequate or fixed definition for digital literacy. It's a rapidly evolving phenomenon that constantly changes and morphs to the needs of the day. The internet has been a key part in this evolution. Our ability to adapt to the Web as it adapts to us will determine its future and our own. It is important to have a vision for the future of our digital literacy so we can morph the internet and other tools to achieve a desire outcome. we must operate the Web as dynamic thinkers no longer content to have information and entertainment merely presented to us (Glister, 1997). Digital literacy is a condition which affects your identity. New tools and platforms are being created and these can be help students not just be elegant consumers but affect and change the world. I believe digital literacy is contextually dependent and need to be socially negotiated (Tedx, 2012).

    References

    Gilster, P., & Glister, P. (1997). Digital literacy. New York: Wiley Computer Pub..

    TEDx Talks. (2012, March 23). The essential elements of digital literacies: Doug Belshaw at TEDxWarwick [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yQPoTcZ78

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown29 July 2017 at 16:40

      Thanks for your input Wesley. Your statement about needing to adapt the internet and digital tools to us in order to achieve desired outcomes reminds me of question raised by Paul Callaghan in an ABC podcast on 21st century education (Davies, 2012), who asked whether we should be bringing education to students (referring to use of ICT in classrooms), should education serve what we innately want to do or should it encourage a broader range of behaviour?

      Davies, A. (Producer). (2012, August 19). 21st Century Education ABC [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/21st-century-education/4197700#transcript

      Delete

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