What is Digital Fluency
‘Digital fluency’ according to Howell (2012, p. 243), is defined as “The ability to use digital technologies in a confident manner”. However, a more meaningful definition can be understood from Core Education (2015), Fluency in a digital learning context, describes a person’s fluency in understanding and utilising digital technologies to achieve outcomes.
What this means for teaching and learning in the digital world
Due to the increase in technology in recent years our workplaces are flooded with digital technology. Digital fluency is crucial for active participation in an increasingly digitalised society (Core Education, 2015). New skills are needed for new jobs. The skills needed for professions in previous years differ dramatically to the skills required to enter the workforce presently and, in the future (Howell, 2012).
Essentially people learn workplace skills through education at school. Educator’s and teachers across all phases of learning (early childhood, primary & secondary), share in the responsibility to prepare student’s for participation in a digitalised workforce (Howell, 2012). The skills are taught throughout the schooling years.
Digital fluency begins in the early years. The Technology and Play Framework ensures the implementation of teaching and learning with technology in the early years (Howell, 2012). During the early years, the digital fluency outcomes comprise of skills and experiences with technology (Howell, 2012). This can be built on in the next phase of learning. Students entering grade four are referred to as ‘technology neophytes’, they are beginners that harness the basic skills of digital technology and are ready to build on them (Howell, 2012). During the primary and early secondary years, students build on and refine their skills to achieve digital fluency in a range of technologies that prepare them for lifelong learning (Howell, 2012). These lifelong learning skills support the participation in a digital workforce.
References
Core Education. (2015, October). What is digital fluency? [Blog]. Retrieved from:
http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2015/10/what-is-digital-fluency.html
Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ict: digital pedagogies for collaboration and creativity. South Melbourne, Australia. Oxford University Press
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