Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the learning about technology and how it is to be used. There is a lot of debate about whether or not technology should be used to access information and learn concepts. Students today have never known a world without technology and we need to understand that they are very comfortable using it. We, as educators, need to help them understand how to use it appropriately.

Teachers need to find ways to embrace technology and use it to help students better learn. In my math class, I use a website that graphs equations that are entered to allow my students to explore what happens when parts of that equation are changed. Students experience what happens and make their own conclusions before I tell them what will happen.

While using technology in school is important, it is also important for students to understand how to use technology and social media appropriately outside of school. Modeling the correct behavior is one step to achieving this. Using mistakes and inappropriate use as teaching opportunities rather than opportunities to punish is also a step that can be taken. Educate rather than punish.

Students need to understand that technology is a tool, not a toy. We, as educators, need to help them understand that and show them how to approach it that way. We also need to work on educating parents and other adults so that they can model the appropriate usage.

One statement in the reading really stuck out to me. Lindsay and Davis (2010) stated, “how can we teach digital citizenship when the digital landscape is changing so rapidly?” This is the hardest question as it involves teaching skills that are basic and adaptable to all uses of technology.