Digital Literacy

The Future Lab (2010) argues that digital literacy is an entitlement for children in our digital culture as they need the skills and knowledge to participate and succeed in our ever changing technological society.  Children who are digitally literate can make and share meaning in different formats, collaborate and communicate effectively and know how and when to use digital technology.

The Future Lab (2010) proposes a number of arguments for why teachers should care about digital literacy. One of the main reasons is that digital media has become central to everyone’s life; whatever their age; therefore the skills, knowledge and understanding of digital literacy are indispensable in a society where technology plays an important part. Teachers have a responsibility to ensure that the children they teach are prepared for the ‘real world’ once they leave school. The Future Lab (2010) recognises that one of the main benefits of digital literacy is that is prepares children for the ‘real world’ and helps them to make sense of it.

Another benefit of teaching digital literacy is that it encourages children to be active rather than passive participants through the use of social media. The Future Lab (2010) recognises that social media has become the most popular way of communicating for children outside of school. Teachers should have an interest in the types of media and technology that the children in their class engage with outside of school. Studies have shown that children are more motivated to learn when their own cultural knowledge is acknowledged in a school setting.

The Future Lab (2010) does suggest two main challenges of teaching digital literacy in the primary classroom.  They argue that although it is assumed that children in today’s society are digital natives, some children are not as knowledgeable about technology as they appear to be. Therefore a challenge for the teacher is to ensure all the children in the class have the appropriate understanding and skills to perform a task, for example using the internet to complete a piece of homework. The second significant challenge facing teachers who encourage technology within the classroom is E-Safety. Young children are vulnerable to inappropriate content that is widely available on the internet therefore it is the teachers responsibility to provide children with the knowledge to keep them safe online.

FutureLab (2010)   Digital Literacy Across the Curriculum: (Sections 3.1 – 3.4 Digital Literacy   in Practice)