Digital literacy means equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and utilize digital tools and technologies. The 21st-century learner should be equipped with the knowledge necessary to use the latest technologies that are used to collect, analyse, process, store, and disseminate information in the world.
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has included digital literacy as one of the core competencies that all learners should have to meet the needs of the current information age.
The main types of digital skills that are taught in class are internet literacy, cyber security, media, basic office applications, computer hardware, and information literacy among others.
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Types of digital literacy
Digital literacy is a broad topic that covers different aspects of how data is processed online safety, and online etiquette, among other areas. For a learner to be well equipped for digital literacy these are some of the areas that should be covered.
Basic digital literacy
This improves the basic understanding of computer hardware and software use. The components of a computer and its functions, how to navigate the operating system. Another area covered under basic skills is how to use basic office applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and desktop publishing.
Information literacy
The internet has vast information in a field of study, both correct and altered. A learner should be able to assess the information they get from the internet and evaluate their correctness and validity before use.
They should be able to search for information online and differentiate credible and reliable from unreliable data.
Media literacy skills
Information is disseminated online using various forms such as video, audio, text, and images. A learner should be skilled to be able to analyse these media for credibility and correctness of the information.
A learner should be able to differentiate the original media from edited to avoid misinformation from different sources.
Cybersecurity awareness
The learners should be able to protect themselves when they are online and generally in cyberspace. They should learn different cyber threats and how to protect themselves from them. Implement best practices to prevent and protect their data from threats by using strong passwords, knowing what to share online, and how to avoid phishing and other cyber attacks.
Internet literacy
This involves learning how to navigate the internet and search for relevant information, and how the internet works. Learners should also understand internet protocols, domains, URLs, WWW, and other internet-related concepts.
This also should involve learning the best online etiquette when doing live online conferences, writing an email, and other online communication modes.
Social media literacy
This type involves teaching the student the dynamics that are involved when using different social media platforms. How to protect personal information on social media, issues of cyberbullying, social media addiction, online harassment among other issues.
The learner should also be trained on how to effectively use social media platforms for gainful activities such as joining groups that discuss their interest.
Importance of digital literacy in CBC
Digital literacy was incorporated into the CBC curriculum to ensure the learner gets the knowledge and the skill to navigate and benefit from all the digital technologies and other emerging technologies. Some of the other benefits of digital skills in CBC today include.
- Increase the level of information access.
- It enhances effective online communication and etiquette.
- It helps in problem-solving and critical thinking
- Digital skills help in online safety awareness
- The skill opens new job opportunities
- Learners are equipped to be able to adapt to the new changing technologies for continued learning.
- It improves digital equity and reduces the digital gap.