Digital literacy means being able to understand and use technology. It relates to the ability to find, use, and create information online in a beneficial and useful way.
The American Library Association (ALA) defines digital literacy as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.
Examples of digital literacy include; understanding how to use web browsers, search engines, email, text, wiki, blogs, Photoshop, PowerPoint, video creation/editing software among others.
In learning institutions, media specialists, and educators are focusing more on the benefits of digital literacy skills because today’s learners are looking to the Internet as a key source of information.
Studies have shown that digitally literate students know how to find and consume digital content. They know how to create, communicate, and share this type of content.
In today’s digital world, nearly every career requires digital relations at some point, so having such skills is necessary for any student.
Importance of digital literacy
Mathias Nkeeto, a mathematics teacher says students who are gaining digital literacy skills learn to become responsible content creators in addition to content consumers.
He says that such learners move beyond finding, evaluating, and consuming digital content to creating it, including both writing in digital formats and creating other forms of media such as tweets, podcasts, videos, emails, and blogs.
He explains that educators today should look for in-text tools that empower students to become effective creators of content, and as students learn to create, they also learn to question what others have created and shared.
He goes on to add that since digital content is often meant to be shared, learning how to effectively collaborate and communicate ideas with others is a pillar of digital literacy.
"Students don’t always think about the implications or potential consequences of what they share online. As educators, helping them understand that a digital footprint encompasses all the information that students either passively leave or actively share about themselves online, most notably social media sites,” he says.
As educators focusing on teaching digital literacy skills in the classroom, experts believe that access to diverse reading content is key to helping students gain skills while providing opportunities is key to helping students gain these skills.
With the advancement in technology over the years, people now live in a world that is both enriched and burdened by computers and gadgets.
Nkeeto notes that the domination of technology in our everyday lives highlights the importance of digital literacy not just for adults but also for young people.
Studies highlight that the digital world offers enormous benefits and advantages to everyone, however, without proper use and understanding of technology, the digital world can be overwhelming and even dangerous.
He adds that teaching learners digital literacy skills is very important for they need to be able to understand the technology that they use so they can use it safely and effectively.
Educators believe that it’s important to know that digital literacy for learners is not just about knowing how to take a selfie or update Facebook. Instead, digital literacy means understanding technology and using it appropriately.