Starting my full-time teaching around 15 years ago the college community was fighting against the digital era in many ways. Many discussions during school meetings revolved around how we would be able to stop students from engaging in the digital world while in class. Let's block them from accessing their phones, the internet etc. Interesting how times have changed.
My initial teaching in the program was in the lab so my exposure to the digital world was rather limited. We began to explore the world of simulation which brought about a very different aspect to the digital platform. I was amazed at what the newer simulators could do. However, once the initial enthusiasm for the novelty of the new equipment wore off I began to focus on what was important to me which was how would it impact my learners in a positive way.
The foundation for my definition of digital literacy is how you are able to make use of what is available to you to impact your learning in a positive way. I have been told for so long that the upcoming generation has lived with technology and that they are all literate. That has not been my experience and I think that they use technology consistently but I would not consider them to be digitally literate. Many do not know the depth of knowledge that can be gained through digital literacy. Or they are unsure how to curate the information they are reading in the digital world.
Digital literacy is being able to take advantage of what is available to you to support, supplement and enhance your learning experiences. However, you must be able to recognise the limitations and to engage in the digital world with a discerning eye.
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