What
Digital Literacy Looks Like in a Classroom
If students are “glued” 24/7 to their mobile
devices, why is it necessary for schools to teach digital literacy? Who should
teach it? And wait … what does it even mean to be “digitally literate”?
If
these are questions you’ve heard or asked, you aren’t alone. Many educators
struggle to understand their evolving role in teaching and using technology in
their classrooms. Most importantly, many of us wrestle with how technology is
shifting the way kids learn.
The
New York Department of Education defines
digital literacy as “having the knowledge
and ability to use a range of technology tools for varied purposes.” Digitally
literate people are those who “can use technology strategically to find and
evaluate information, connect and collaborate with others, produce and share
original content, and use the Internet and technology tools to achieve many
academic, professional, and personal goals.”
Most
teachers recognize those skills as critical for 21st-century learning. But
before teachers and students dive into using technology in class, we should
discuss why a digital literacy curriculum is necessary.
The Myth of ‘Digital Natives’
Many
adults think that because children have been immersed in a technology since a
young age, they are naturally “literate” or skilled in using technology.
Younger generations have been labeled “digital
natives” while older generations are “digital
immigrants.” Some
research suggests this labeling is outright
false—students are no more literate with devices than their so-called digital
immigrant parents.
Creating a Digital Literacy Curriculum
Like
traditional literacy, students and adults alike benefit from guidance,
instruction, and practice. Educators should define
essential skills and steps for helping
students navigate their devices (and the unfettered world of the Internet).
It’s also important to take appropriate steps toward digital literacy based on children’s
stage of development. Common Sense Media has developed a scope
and sequence curriculum to
help teachers and districts formalize digital literacy instruction.
Teachers
should also help students develop healthy habits and attitudes when using
technology. Educators need to take an active role in helping them understand
the benefits, dangers, and opportunities technology provides.
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