What is digital literacy (and why does it matter)?

As technology advances, so do the expectations of students in the workplace and in education. Digital literacy is increasingly seen as an essential tool for any successful student as the importance of digital literacy continues to grow. The need to effectively use and understand various digital tools is becoming increasingly necessary across many fields of work, making testing for digital literacy essential for academic success. Lexile tests are now being used to measure digital literacy more efficiently, to measure digital fluency, and to ensure students are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in higher education and the workforce.

1. Definition of Digital Literacy
2. Benefits of Digital Literacy
3. Challenges of Digital Literacy
4. Strategies for Developing Digital Literacy
5. Examples of Digital Literacy in Action

1. Definition of Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is a vital part of our lives in an increasingly digital era. It’s the ability to use digital devices and technology to access information, communicate, create, and share content, solve problems, and make decisions. At their core, digital literacy skills require an understanding of how technology works, how to use it to find, create, or share information, and how to identify and evaluate information.

As technology advances and more of our lives migrate to the digital realm, being digitally literate is increasingly important. But we all need to understand how to use the technology available to us in order to maximize potential opportunities and minimize potential risks.

2. Benefits of Digital Literay

Overall, digital literacy enriches lives and communities. It enables people to engage with technology meaningfully, fostering personal and community growth. It opens doors to new learning, collaboration, and creativity, vital for personal and communal development.

As a teacher, you have a unique opportunity to help prepare your students for the digital world they will be entering. By teaching digital literacy, you can help your students gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their future careers, stay connected with loved ones, and navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. Here are just a few benefits of teaching digital literacy to your students:

• Small-scale digital literacy can help students stay organized and succeed academically. For example, understanding Lexile tests can help students better assess the level of reading material they should be reading, leading to greater comprehension and success in school.
  
• Being digitally literate gives students access to a world of invaluable resources, including job opportunities and career advancement. By teaching your students how to work with data and create websites, you can give them the edge they need to succeed in their future careers.
  
• Being digitally literate also opens a world of communication for students, allowing them to stay connected with friends and family across the globe. By teaching students how to use social media effectively and responsibly, you can help them develop healthy relationships with technology and others.
  
• Staying digitally literate also helps students keep up with the latest developments and trends in the modern world. By teaching your students about blockchain technology and other innovative ways to stay ahead in the digital age, you can help prepare them for the future and ensure their success in a rapidly evolving world.

As a teacher, you have the power to shape the future by empowering your students with digital literacy skills. By doing so, you can help your students succeed both in their academic and professional lives while also giving them the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and skill.

Digital literacy is immensely valuable, both to further your own career objectives and to maintain a basic level of understanding in the digital world. The importance of digital literacy only increases as digital tools evolve, making it an essential skill for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the game.

3. Challenges of Digital Literacy

Digital literacy, crucial in today’s world, faces significant challenges, especially in education and the workplace. While the need for digital skills is universally acknowledged, understanding their importance is not widespread. Many people, including students, must realize that digital literacy extends beyond primary internet navigation. Schools often don’t provide adequate education in discerning reliable online information, leaving a gap in essential digital skills.

Moreover, teaching digital literacy remains a complex task. With rapid technological advancements, the skills required are constantly evolving. Teachers must stay updated but often struggle due to a lack of resources or reliance on outdated methods. This can result in students needing more crucial digital literacy skills. As technology continues to shape our world, overcoming these challenges becomes increasingly vital for everyone to be effectively digitally literate.

4. Strategies of Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is crucial in today’s digital world, offering various strategies for skill development. Accessible classes and courses in libraries, colleges, and universities play a pivotal role. For instance, the American Library Association highlights numerous libraries providing free computer classes, enhancing skills like internet navigation and digital tool usage. Additionally, higher education institutions offer a broad spectrum of digital literacy topics, from hardware maintenance to digital communication, aiding individuals in staying relevant in the digital domain. Reading books on digital literacy and engaging in online assessments, including Lexile tests, also significantly help in understanding and improving one’s digital competency.

5. Examples of Digital Literacy in Action

Digital literacy education is a critical competency in this age of ever-advancing technology. It is the ability to use digital sources, think critically about digital media, and effectively communicate and collaborate. Examples of digital literacy in action can take many forms. Here are five:

1. Lexile Tests: Visang’s Lexile Tests aren’t just a tool to measure students’ reading abilities; they’re a tool to help students enjoy reading English books for the long term. With valuable insights into a student’s reading ability and progress, these tests identify areas for improvement and ensure students are matched with texts that are appropriate for their level. And, because the texts in these programs align with the global standard for measuring reading ability, Lexile measurements, educators and parents can be confident in the results. Type A tests cover a wide range of Lexile scores and track progress towards reading goals, while Type B tests are tailored for older students to assess their reading comprehension abilities. Lexile measures obtained from Type A and Type B tests enable educators and parents to determine the level of difficulty of texts that would be appropriate for the student.

2. Innovative Learning Resources: Digital literacy includes the ability to access and use resources for learning. For example, online resources such as YouTube, Khan Academy, and TEDx Talks can be a great supplement to traditional teaching methods.

3. Digital Citizens: As digital literacy is also about responsible use of digital media, it’s important to know the impact of one’s online presence. For example, a student might create a digital portfolio to showcase their work and any awards they’ve achieved.

4. Knowing Cybersecurity: Digital literacy includes knowing about data privacy and cyber security. For example, kids can learn more about online safety, cyberbullying, and how to protect themselves from malicious actors.

5. Digital Collaboration: Digital literacy in action also means knowing how to collaborate with others. For example, kids might use video conferencing platforms or collaboration tools to work together on projects or assignments.

Overall, digital literacy is an important skill in this age of rapid technological change. With the right tools, strategies, and guidance, everyone can benefit from digital literacy in some way.