What+is+Digital+Literacy?

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What is meant by Digital Literacy ? media type="youtube" key="_XqRR5WJ85k" height="344" width="425"

The term Digital Literacy has been attributed to Paul Gislster(1997) in his book of the same name.

“Digital Literacy is the ability to understand information and - more important – to deliver and integrate information in multiple formats that the computer can deliver”  (Gilster,1997).

Digital Literacy is however an evolving term. As technology changes so too does our understanding of what digital literacy is and what are the components and competencies involved. In its simplest form:

“ Digital literacy is the ability to locate, organize, understand, evaluate, and create information using digital technology. It involves a working knowledge of current high-technology, and an understanding of how it can be used. Digital literacy encompasses computer hardware, software (particularly those used most frequently by businesses), the Internet, cell phones, PDAs, and other digital devices.” This taken from [|Wikipedia.]

“The ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information.”  []

“ A person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment... Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media, to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments” [|(Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan, 2006).]

These definitions give us an insight into what is meant by the term digital literacy. It is the ability to read, interpret, understand, analyse what we are seeing on our computer screens and then create new images/ texts that can be shared with others.

“Digital literacy is a process that affects at least four dimensions: · Operational: The ability to use computers and communication technologies. · Semiotic: The ability to use all the languages that converge in the new multimedia universe. · Cultural: A new intellectual environment for the Information Society. · Civic: A new repertoire of rights and duties relating to the new technological context” **([|Pérez Tornero, 2004]** ).

 This gives a clear idea of the main areas involved in digital literacy. This is a holistic view of what is expected by people who deem themselves digitally literate. It does indicate that this form of literacy has an impact across all aspects of our thinking. Digital Literacy does not involve just actions and interpretations but it also has implications for the way we think and the way in which we learn. Its implications stretches not only the how to use the technological applications but also the impact of the technology on society. The civics aspect suggested by Perez Tornero does suggest that the learning/ acquiring of digital literacy has a wider responsibility than for one’s own actions. It does suggest that there is a way of living or conducting oneself in this environment that also needs to be achieved to become digitally literate.   Digital Strategy Glossary of Key Terms Accessed 9/6/09 [] Jones-Kavalier, B. and Flannigan, S. (2006) Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21st Century. //Educause Quarterly//, Vol. 29, No.2 accessed 1/06/09 [] ** Pérez Tornero **, J. (2004). Digital Literacy and Media Education: an Emerging Need. //elearning.europa info directory// accessed 5/06/09 [] Pool, C. (1997) A New Digital Literacy: A conversation with Paul Gilster. Integrating Technology into Teaching Vol. 55 No.3 Wikepedia Accessed 29/05/09 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_literacy
 * <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Reference **