What is Digital Literacy?
Student created Wordle on digital literacy.
Digital literacy is "The capability to use digital technology and knowing when and how to use it." ( Rubble, M. and Bailey, G. (2007). Digital Citizenship in Schools. Eugene, OR: ISTE, p. 21)
What does digital literacy look like?
Digital literacy is when students are able to engage with multi-media to read and interpret text, sounds and images. Digital literacy is when students can manipulate and evaluate data to construct their own meaning. Digital literacy also includes a student having knowledge about how to use technology to construct meaning, but most importantly in ways that are appropriate to their needs. Students who know how to use technology are also instructed by parents and teachers on how to use it effectively and appropriately to communicate a message.
Most students today have more knowledge about technology than their teachers, but most have not had instruction on how and when to use technology appropriately. "Too often the focus is on learning the technology itself, with little time given to discussing what is or isn't appropriate." ( Rubble, M. and Bailey, G. (2007). Digital Citizenship in Schools. Eugene, OR: ISTE, p. 21)
What does digital literacy look like?
Digital literacy is when students are able to engage with multi-media to read and interpret text, sounds and images. Digital literacy is when students can manipulate and evaluate data to construct their own meaning. Digital literacy also includes a student having knowledge about how to use technology to construct meaning, but most importantly in ways that are appropriate to their needs. Students who know how to use technology are also instructed by parents and teachers on how to use it effectively and appropriately to communicate a message.
Most students today have more knowledge about technology than their teachers, but most have not had instruction on how and when to use technology appropriately. "Too often the focus is on learning the technology itself, with little time given to discussing what is or isn't appropriate." ( Rubble, M. and Bailey, G. (2007). Digital Citizenship in Schools. Eugene, OR: ISTE, p. 21)
Examples of Digital Literacy
- Understanding how to use web browsers, search engines, email, text, wiki, blogs, Photoshop, Powerpoint, video creation/editing software , etc. to showcase learning.
- Evaluating online resources for accuracy/trustworthiness of information.
- Using online classes to enhance learning in the classroom.
- Choosing appropriate media to showcase learning - understand what platforms will best illustrate your message and learning to peers and educators.
- Using an interactive whiteboard in the classroom for lessons and allowing students to use the interactive whiteboard on a daily basis.
- Encouraging students to use technology to showcase their learning.
- Using the web ( web sites video, music) to enhance the learning of your students.
- Students and teachers creating online content to be utilized both in and out of the classroom.
Non-Examples of Digital Literacy
- Learning just how to use multi-media to research and investigate a specific topic.
- Having a computer lab in your school.
- Technology as a specials class separate from the daily classroom.
- Typing papers (research, opinion or narrative stories) on a computer or using search engines only to find information.
- Children dropping out of school to independently learn without guidance.
- Using online media without any knowledge or guidelines on how to judge whether the information is accurate or trustworthy.
Presentation to Illustrate Digital Literacy - Author - Renne Hobbs
How do we use
technology
to help empower the great minds of tomorrow?
The video below is credited to:
Hobbs, Renne. (viewed October 1, 2011). Media Literacy as Literacy for the Information Age. Philadelphia, Pa: Temple University. (September 2008)
While the entire presentation has merit, for our purposes we will look only at slides 7-18. The link for the entire presentation is listed below for those who wish to look at it in more detail.
http://www.slideshare.net/reneehobbs/oklahoma-sept-08-presentation/
Synopsis:
Hobbs, Renne. (viewed October 1, 2011). Media Literacy as Literacy for the Information Age. Philadelphia, Pa: Temple University. (September 2008)
While the entire presentation has merit, for our purposes we will look only at slides 7-18. The link for the entire presentation is listed below for those who wish to look at it in more detail.
http://www.slideshare.net/reneehobbs/oklahoma-sept-08-presentation/
Synopsis:
- Defines technology and gives examples.
- Explains content (forms of a message) and ways to express your message with multi-media.
- Discusses distribution of a message and ways to possibly express your thoughts and opinions to others.
- Illustrates how Digital Literacy is in encompassed in the literacy skills taught today.
Oklahoma Sept 08
View more presentations from Renee Hobbs