What is Digital Literacy?
What is digital literacy? The digital literacy definition or digital literacy meaning is the ability to use, access, evaluate, and communicate through digital platforms. Digital platforms refer to the internet and all the devices that allow a person to access the internet. Sometimes digital literacy may be referred to as cyber literacy, however, digital literacy is a term that is used more broadly. A digitally literate person is able to effectively use technology to find information, evaluate the information, and bring the information into their physical life. They can also communicate across digital platforms, such as through email, and within programs, such as spreadsheets and manuscript writing, as well as a myriad of apps.
Why is Digital Literacy Important?
Technology has become increasingly commonplace over the past decade. When previously a phone had only one function (to make calls), now phones have many functions in addition to making calls. These devices that we can carry in our pockets have increased access to the internet and the world of digital media. A fact of life is that our world has become increasingly tech-focused. It is expected in many places of employment that employees have digital literacy, and it is also expected in schools. Digital literacy is part of our society!
Think about this: before digital technology became such an integral part of daily life, a person who wanted to find information about a subject would head to the library. There, they would use the library's card catalog. From the card catalog, they would find sources about the topic they were researching. Then, the person would need to peruse the print sources. This is an example of how people could find information without using digital literacy. It is important to note that sources that are published and printed in a book have usually been through a lengthy editing, fact-checking, and revising process. The information found in print sources can usually be evaluated to be reliable.