{"id":83728,"date":"2023-07-10T08:58:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T08:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?post_type=definition&p=83728"},"modified":"2023-07-10T08:58:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T08:58:36","slug":"digital-literacy-digital-fluency","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/digital-literacy-digital-fluency","title":{"rendered":"Digital Literacy (Digital Fluency)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Digital literacy is the ability to use technology to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information safely and responsibly. The concept, which applies to individuals, societies, and economic groups, encompasses skill sets that may also be referred to as computer literacy, ICT<\/a> literacy, data literacy<\/a>, or data fluency.<\/p>\n Digital literacy includes basic technology and security awareness skills, as well as critical thinking skills. It includes the ability someone has to:<\/p>\n In the past, there was sometimes a distinction between the terms “digital literacy” and “digital fluency.” Literacy was used to describe very basic computer skills (like knowing how to send an email), while fluency was used to describe a higher level of technical proficiency (like knowing how to publish content on the Internet<\/a>).<\/p>\n Today, the two terms are used interchangeably to reflect the pervasive nature of technology, advancements in low-code\/no-code\u00a0 programming and cloud computing services, and the need for all citizens to keep pace with technological advancements and their impact on society.<\/p>\n In today’s world, people have to be digitally literate if they want to participate in educational opportunities, find employment and do their jobs. In the United States, the National Skills Coalition reports that 92% of the jobs in the U.S. require digital skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the NSC also found that one-third of today\u2019s workers in the U.S. don\u2019t even have the basic computer skills necessary to enter the job market. This type of finding has broadened the definition of digital divide<\/a> to include the gap in a population’s digital skills, as well as unequal access to broadband internet.<\/p>\n Digital literacy frameworks provide governments and educational institutions with a structure and shared language to assess existing digital skill competences, identify skill gaps, and measure the impact of financial investments to improve digital literacy.<\/p>\n These frameworks are used to guide the development of digital literacy curriculum and community improvement initiatives. They typically address the following key components:<\/p>\n Basic computer skills:<\/strong> These are the fundamental skills required to use desktop and mobile applications, online services and\u00a0devices.<\/p>\n Digital problem solving:<\/strong> These are the skills needed to use technology for work and educational pursuits, social and professional networking, and civic participation. This aspect of digital literacy includes selecting the right technology to carry out a specific task<\/a> or solve a particular problem.<\/p>\n Digital ethics:<\/strong> These are the skills needed to evaluate the source of digital information and recognize digital disinformation<\/a>. It includes security and privacy considerations, as well as the ethical use of social media and emerging technologies such as generative AI<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some of the most well-known frameworks for digital literacy include:<\/p>\n\n
Why Digital Literacy Is Important<\/span><\/h2>\n
Digital Literacy Frameworks for Education and Government<\/span><\/h2>\n