Literacy is not only the ability to read and write, but to also be fluent in native information.
Digital literacy follows the same formula, individuals may be able to use the new digital tools, but the question is, are they fluent in the world of digital information (SREB, 2018). Multiple components make up the framework of digital literacy including (but not limited to), skills to access information, process information, and developing personalized information. These components are essential to building a successful student in today's academic environment. Digital literacy needs to be placed on the same tier as reading and writing as a fundamental skill (SREB, 2018) for success in the future.
When we think about the skills needed for future careers, we must come to the realization that 85% of jobs in 2030 (8 years away) have not be invented yet. (AdobeEduPd, 2020). Furthermore, the need to increase digital literacy curriculum needs to be implemented early in the education journey. These skills will be needed later in life as they will promote a productive citizenry, increased participation in politics, social engagement, and overall a better digital citizen (SREB, 2018). Digital citizens will be fluent in the use and security of digital tools and networks, which will encourage the learning, collaboration, and producing of information (Deye, 2017).
By cultivating these skills early, we can foster stronger digital citizen later in life. Nine elements are outlined in the book - Digital Citizenship in School, written by Mike Ribble and Gerald Bailey, that come together to create the digital citizen, with digital literacy making up part of that foundation. They define it as the ability to differentiate between real and fake news, to be able to determine what is legitimate new and what is not. But it does not end there, digital literacy is the culmination of skills that allow individuals to understand what they are looking at, to be able to navigate a digital world (Poth, 2022) that is unlike a world that existed only a few decades ago. Furthermore, as our information moves into the public sphere, the need to protect it becomes increasingly important.
The move to remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for better security. Security has become a primary concern for educational systems, as much of the teaching has moved online into Learning Management Systems. Students data (grades, personal information, official records) are at risk on a daily basis. Network breaches, phishing attacks, and malware represent some of the more common threats to institutional networks (SREB, 2018). These threats attempt to attain personal information from instructors and/or students and if that information is obtained, institutions may face severe fines, loss of credibility, and accompanying lawsuits from those effected.
Students today, have access to tremendous amounts of information, they need to be able to decipher what is legitimate and what is not. As they perform research and develop their voice, digital literacy skills will be essential. As instructors, it is part of our job to assist them in their journey. We need to cultivate and encourage them to use new tools that will allow them to express themselves in various ways. As instructors, we need to stay current with those tools (and skills) as well. After all, as educators, we are responsible for developing the next generation.
Future Reference:
Works Referenced:
AdobeEduPD. (2020, October 15). Why Digital Literacy is important for careers | cultivating digital literacy. YouTube. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJrA5h377l8
Deye, S. (2017, February 1). Promoting Digital Literacy and citizenship in school. National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/promoting-digital-literacy-and-citizenship-in-school.aspx#:~:text=What%20is%20Digital%20Literacy%20and,for%20learning%2C%20collaborating%20and%20producing.
Poth, R. D. (2022, August 1). Data Literacy Skills: What they are and how do we teach them to our students? NEO BLOG. Retrieved September 6, 2022, from https://blog.neolms.com/data-literacy-skills/
Southern Regional Education Board. February 2018. 10 Issues in Educational Technology.
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