Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to use computer systems confidently and effectively, including:

We intend “digital literacy” to connote those skills that (say) a history teacher can assume his / her students have, just as s/he assumes they can spell (literacy) and do simple mental arithmetic (numeracy). Higher level information handling skills are part of Information Technology.

Digital literacy does need to be taught: young people have usually acquired some knowledge of computer systems, but their knowledge is patchy. The idea that teaching this is unnecessary because of the sheer ubiquity of technology that surrounds young people as they are growing up – the ‘digital native’ – should be treated with great caution.

In terms of delivery, digital literacy can be treated much like literacy and numeracy are dealt with at school:

Whilst digital literacy skills can be taught and assessed using online systems, at the pupil’s own pace, teacher- led lessons and project work allow the teacher to focus on developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the systems pupils use, and provide opportunity for collaborative work.

Click here to find out more about the Digital Literacy units and skills progression at Lime Tree.