This week I read an article that identified the need for digital literacy outside of social use. As educators, we often stress to our students the importance of privacy and social awareness online in social communities. Much of teaching technology, especially to ESL students is teaching technological skills outside of students’ everyday social use. Many of my students can run circles around me when it comes to using technology in social ways but what they are lacking is basic technology skills that will benefit their educational career for years to come.
The article identified a set of technology skill needed for students, starting with the ability to write an appropriate email or essay. The author pointed out that many students don’t know how to write an email without using text language or the language they would use when commenting on social media rather than professional language. By learning this skill, students will be able to write better emails, blogs and essays. The important skills set for students include the ability to see technology as a tool to solve problems, gather credible information, evaluate sources, and navigate through digital portals. While student often use technology to problem solve, part of digital literacy is using technology to create as well. The abundance of social media in our everyday lives is not going anywhere anytime soon. It is our job as educators to help our students see technology as a valuable educational tool rather than just a social tool.
Source: http://www.tcpalm.com/story/specialty-publications/progress-and-innovation/2017/06/19/educatipn-overview/364299001/
This is an important issue to bring up. With technology becoming more a part of our daily lives, it is natural for students to turn to it for socialization and problem solving. I do this myself. However, the article makes a valid point that we need to do more than focus on internet safety and appropriate behavior. We need to teach students how to use the technology appropriately for educational and professional environments as well. It is not really different from teaching the difference between writing an informal friendly letter and a business letter - something we would have learned in our pre-technology educations. It is easy to forget or assume that students should know the difference. The reality is that our students have grown up with technology, and they will continue to use it in all aspects of their lives - not just social situations. Thanks for sharing this article!
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that digital literacy is coming up more and more in conversations about technology and education. I believe that a lot of people who work in education are realizing that we can't just assume that students know about digital literacy, and that we need to teach them before they post things online that are permanent.
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