What does digital literacy entail?
In order to reach in-depth understanding of the meaning of the term, we considered numerous expert research studies, also including external specialists, very experienced practitioners.
A narrower set of general and concrete descriptors, introduced in a special publication (in Slovenian), was selected from an initial set of 97. We found that digital competency – much like other key competences – has core descriptors that clearly express the crux of the competence, as well as peripheral descriptors that can be similar, or even the same as the descriptors of a different competence. Digitally literate individuals know and use digital devices and gadgets, such as computers, smartphones, and online tools, which they can synchronise and update, and which are used for personal needs, while at the same time being skilled enough to be able to easily perform their jobs with these skills and knowledge. Individuals can use digital technology to search for and manage data, communicate in different ways, and perform different tasks. They can use various mobile apps and computer programs. They can choose the correct way to accomplish an objective and can separate the real from the virtual. They understand the laws of the digital social environment and can navigate it. And to put it clearly: Digital literacy in everyday life means that individuals can, for example, download a suitable game on a tablet for their child, share nice photos from holidays with their friends, independently shop online, etc.
Through this, we can help adults with poor digital literacy competence to improve in this area. They can become more confident and critically thinking users of ICT.
Dr Petra Javrh (petra.javrh@acs.si), SIAE
