Digital Illiteracy

 Digital Literacy 

We have almost 40% of the population below the poverty line, the general illiteracy rate itself is 25 to 30%, and digital illiteracy is more than 90%. The digital divide in India is another significant road-blocks on the path of digital literacy.

Ways to Improve Digital Literacy

1. Emphasise the importance of critical thinking

The majority of media we consume today comes from online sources, some of which are more credible than others. Of course, the fact that so much information is readily available to anyone with an internet connection is a decidedly positive thing. But it also means that today’s students are more susceptible to subliminal messages, misinformation, and fake news.

2. Use social media for learning and collaborating

Today’s students are already active on social media, and in many cases they may already be more adept at using it than their teachers. So the focus shouldn’t be on introducing students to the ins and outs of social media, but on demonstrating how it can be used in an educational context.

For example, Pinterest boards can be used for providing and receiving feedback during group projects, Twitter can be used create polls for research purposes or find expert sources, and Facebook or LinkedIn groups can be used to connect and collaborate with their peers.

3. Provide guidance on how to avoid plagiarism

Although the Internet hasn’t necessarily made plagiarism easier, it has changed the way it happens, and students may now be at risk of plagiarising even without meaning to. A study published in the journal Higher Education, found that many students don’t understand plagiarism, but they do want more information on what it is and how to avoid it.

For example, students often ‘borrow’ ideas or use phrases they find online without properly citing the original work, and are later surprised to learn that this constitutes plagiarism. So another important aspect of becoming digitally literate is learning how to avoid plagiarism by taking good notes, using citations and quotes, and properly supporting a discussion with references.

4. Teach students to manage their online identity

Regardless of whether we consciously manage it or not, we all leave a digital footprint and have an online identity. Students who have grown up using social media are more likely to take it for granted that their data is stored online, and as a result, may not give as much thought to safeguarding their privacy by managing their privacy settings, reading privacy policies, and being as respectful in their online interactions as they would be in person.

But in the same way that not managing an online identity can have negative implications, taking steps to build a positive one can be hugely beneficial to students’ career prospects. With this in mind, learning how to safeguard privacy online but also how to share the right information and content are important aspects of a well-rounded digital literacy education.

5. Help students manage digital distractions

Digital tools and online resources have made learning more effective in many ways, but they’ve also brought new distractions with them. Research shows that many of us struggle with digital distraction, which can make us feel distant and drained, and even reduce our enjoyment of experiences. Juggling multiple media streams can also lead students to multi-task, which isn’t a good thing considering that research shows that students who multi-task tend to have lower grades.

So the ability to manage distractions while utilising digital tools for learning and professional purposes is another digital literacy skill that shouldn’t be overlooked. Some examples of distraction-management strategies include taking tech breaks throughout the day, muting notifications while studying, using productivity tools, and setting goals around technology use.

Written By-

Digvijay Singh Nathawat