Every generation perhaps has a claim that their children are growing up in a world that is vastly different from the one they inherited, but this claim is even stronger for parents of digital natives. Many people born in the mid-1990s and later in the developed world grew up with ready access to computers and the internet, viewing these revolutions as normal parts of everyday reality. As they learn to use different electronic tools and foster a set of skills their parents could not fathom in an earlier time, they also move in a new direction that branches off from traditional education. The times are such that teaching the typical skill set of "literacy" as it was known in the '90s with focus mostly on reading and writing skills in mostly paper formats would leave our students woefully unprepared to competing in the world job market. Reading comprehension is still as important as it used to be, but our students need much wider skill set than that to compete in the contemporary world: they need to gain 21st Century Literacy. Failure to do so will be a failure to keep up with a work force that is becoming ever more dynamic and skilled. Furthermore, competition for jobs now takes place in the global market. It is essential that today's students learn the whole array of digital and traditional literacies to become the best world citizens and the most productive members of society that they can be.
21st Century Literacy (“Digital Literacy”) can be broken down into the following categories: 1.) information literacy, 2.) media literacy, and 3.) information and communication technology literacy. Information literacy involves being able to assess information to determine its veracity, biases, and reliability. Information used to be vetted by the publishing process, both for information in books and journals/magazines. Since the Digital Age has made “publishing” on the internet a process available to anyone with a device and an internet connection, students need to learn skills which allow them to evaluate the information they encounter.
Media literacy is having a thorough understanding of the different media platforms available, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different forms, and knowing the best use for different media. Being able to evaluate a web-site for its bias and checking the author’s credentials is also part of media literacy. Information and communication technology literacy involves understanding how to use different devices and means of communication, including different applications, programs, and types of web-sites (Skype for example).
21st Century Literacy (“Digital Literacy”) can be broken down into the following categories: 1.) information literacy, 2.) media literacy, and 3.) information and communication technology literacy. Information literacy involves being able to assess information to determine its veracity, biases, and reliability. Information used to be vetted by the publishing process, both for information in books and journals/magazines. Since the Digital Age has made “publishing” on the internet a process available to anyone with a device and an internet connection, students need to learn skills which allow them to evaluate the information they encounter.
Media literacy is having a thorough understanding of the different media platforms available, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different forms, and knowing the best use for different media. Being able to evaluate a web-site for its bias and checking the author’s credentials is also part of media literacy. Information and communication technology literacy involves understanding how to use different devices and means of communication, including different applications, programs, and types of web-sites (Skype for example).